Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-03-21

22I pretense of illness was at an end. I marked the effect on the garri- son of Zenda. They ceased to be seen abroad, and any of my men who went near the castle reported that the ut most vigilance prevailed there. Touch ed as I was by Mime. de Mauban's ap- peal, seemed as powerless to befriend her as I had proved to help the king. Michael bade me defiance, and. al- though he, too, had been seen outside the walls, with more disregard for ap- pearances than he had hitherto shown, he did not take the trouble to send any excuse for his failure to wait on the king.
 Time ran on in inactivity when every moment was pressing, for not only was I faced with the new danger which the stir about my own disap- pearance brought on me, but great murnurs had arisen in Strelsau at my continued absence from the city. They had been greater but for the knpwl- edge that Flavia was with me, and for this reason suffered her to stay, though I hated to have her where daE- ger was and though every day of our present sweet intercourse strained Lty endurance almost to breaking As a final blow nothing would content my advisers, Strakencz and the chancellor. who came out from Strelsau to make an urgent representation to me. save that should appoint day for the public solemnization of my betrothal a ceremony which in Ruritania is we'll nigh as binding and great thing aa the marriage Itself And this, witt Flavia sitting by me. I was forced tC do. setting a date fortnight ahead and appointing the cathedral in Strel sau as the place. And this formal act being published far and wide. caused great Joy throughout the kingdom ant was the talk of all tongues. so that reckoned there were but two men wh' chafed at it-I mean Black Michae and myself-and but one who did no know of it-that one the man who's name bore. the king of Ruritania. Tn truth. I heard something of thu way the news was received in the css tie. for after an interval of three day the man Johann. greedy for more mon ey. though fearful for his life. agail found means to visit us. He had beel waiting on the duke when the tiding came. Black MichaeIs face had grow blacker still. and he had sworn ssv ayely. Nor was he better pleased whel Rupert took oath that I meant to do a - said and. turning to Mime. de Mau ban. wished her joy on a rival gone Michaers hand stole toward his sword said Johann. but not a bit did Ruper care. for be rallied the duke on hay ing made a better king than had reign ed for years past in Ruritania. And. said be. with a meaning bow to his ex asperated master. ''the devil send: the princess finer man than heavel had marked out fer her. By my soul. b does.' Then Michael harshIy bade hin hold his tongue and leave them. bu Rupert must needs first kiss madame' hand. which he did as though he love her. while Michael gIared at him
 This was the lighter side of inc fel lows news. but more serious came be hind. and it was plain that If tim pressed at Tarleaheim it pressed nom the less fierceIy at Zenda. For the kini was very sick- Johann had seen him and he was wasted and hardly able f move. -Tbere could be no thought O taking anotber for him now So alarm ed were they that they had sent for physician from StrelsaH. and the physi eisn. having been introduced into th' kings cell. had come forth pale sns rre-atlsnz zEd ur-ently prayed tn dl.e .s Tt Liu @ Lseks-1 medile D