Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1907-05-15

was IN some danger. This 1 learned
from the man Johann. whom i was
compelled 20 trust and send back 10
Zenda. where. by the way, Rupert /
Uentzau had him soundly logged for
daring 10 smrch the morals OF Zenda
by staying out all night. This, from
Rupert. Johann deeply resented. and |
the dukes approval of IL did more TO
bind the keeper TO my side than all
my promises.
On Flavia's ARRIVAL cannot dwell.
Her Joy al finding me mp and well IN
stead OF on my back ana nghting WIN
death makes picture that even now
dances before my eyes till they grow
too dim to see IL. and her reproaches
that | had not trusted even her must
excuse the means | took 10 quiet them.
In truth. 10 have her with me once
more was Ike taste Of heaven to
damned soul, the swceter FOR the iney-
fable doom ihat was 10 follow, and
reioiced IN being able 10 waste two
whole days with her. And when | had
wasted two days the Duke OF Streisau
arranged a hunting party.
The stroke was near now. for Sapt
and after anxious consultations had
resolved that we must risk blow. our
resolution being cllnchcd 10y Johann's
news that the king grew peaked. pale
and IN and that his health was break
ing down under his rigorous coniine-
ment Now. Il man. bc he king or no
king may as well die swiftly and as
becomes n gentleman. from bullet or
thrust. as rot his life out In cellar
That thought made prompt action ad-
visahle i'm the interests of the king
From my own point of view II grew
more and more necessary. for Stra-
kencz urged on me the need or q
speedy marriage. and my own lncilha-
lions seconded him with such terrible
insistence that | feared for my resolu-
tlon. I do not believe that | should
have done the deed dreamed OF. but
I might have come To fight ana my
flight would have ruined the cause.
If Is perhaps as strange thing as
has ever been in the history OF coun-
try that the kings brother ana he
kings personator in time OF profound
outward peace near placid. undis
turbel country town, under semblanct
Of amity. should wage desperate wal
for the person and life OF the king
Yet such was the struggle that begaI
now between Zenda and Tarlenheim
when | look back on the time l seen
To myself TO have been half mad. sap
has told me that | suffered no interior
ence and listened to no circumstances
and IL ever king of Ruritania ruie'
like a despot | was In those days ID
man. Look where would. i saw notil
ing that made life sweet TO me, ana
took my life in my hand ana carries
, II carelessly. as man bangles an ON
glove. At first they strove TO guar
me TO keep me safe. 10 persuade IN
not 10 expose myself, but when the
= saw how | was set there grew
among them. whether they knew IN
truth or not. n feeling that fate rule
=. tho issue and that I must be left |
!, pIav NV game with Michael my ow
Z way.
Late next night rose from tabl
]
= Quoted her 10 the door OF her apar
ments. There | kissed her mana au
babe her sleep sound and wake TO ma
nv days. Then changed my cloth'
. and went out. Sapt and Fritz we
g waiting for me with three men ana u
:, horses. over his saddle Sapt carrie
a long coil of rope, and both we
:. heavily armed. | had with me
h short stout cudeel and a long KIM
~ Making a circuit, we avoided the TOW
ht and in an hour found ourselves SLOW
"a mounting the hill that led TO the ca
-, tle of Zenda. The night was dark al
~ very stormy. gusts of wind ana SIP
,a of rain caught us as we breasted
: incline. and the great trees moan
b. and sighed. When we came 10 thi
=, clnmp about quarter of a mile ire
ro the castle we bade our three frlen
,a hide there with the horses. Sapt b
80 whistle. and they could RECON US
- n few moments IL danger came. but
a. till now we had met no one. hoI
rv that Michael was still off his qua
nj believing me 10 be safe in bed. ITO
- ever that might he, we gained the
H. of the hill without accident and fou
a ourselves on the edge OF the m'
1s where II sweeps under the road, s.
:, arating the old castle from II. A q
stood on the edge of the bank. q
a., Sapt silently and diligently set
u,, make fast the rope | stripped OF
-. boots. took pull al a flask of bran
looscned the knife In It's sheath 8
-or took the cudgel between my te,
on Then | shook hands with my iricn
mn. not needing last look OF entie
oro from Fritz and laid hold OF the re
tba | was going To have a look at Jaco
. a ladder.
,ed Gently lowered. myself into the
ter. Though the night were Wild.
q, day had been warm and bright
the water was not cold ! struck
and began TO swim round the ~
~;.- walls which frowned above me.
mo could see only three yards ahead.
inc had then good hopes Of not being :
nto MS | crept along close under the da
moss grown masonry. There
lights from the new part of the ca
eco ON the other side and now and ~
can | heard laughter and merry shouts
bv fancied recognized young Rul
Hentzau's ringing tones and p.cu
,nt him flushed with wine.
use Recalling my thoughts 10 the l.
is ness in hand. | rested moment.
Tohann's description were right. ! n
be near the window now. Very $40
7 ,.o,.o1 orI ont If tho darkness M