Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-05-11

n he be as clever a fellow as I take
him for the pretty girl and no other
VIII wait on u.s.
what II she woa'tP" objected Fritz.
my dear Fritz" said 1. If she won't
for you. she VIII for me-"
We were at the inn. Nothing OF me
but my eyes was visible as I walked
In. The landlady received us. Two
Minutes later my little friend lever,
fear. on the lookout for such guests as
might prove amusing made her ap-
pearance. Dinner and the wine were
ordered. | sat down in the private
room. A minute later Fritz came in.
'She's coming" he said.
IF she were not. 1 should have to
doubt the Countess Helga's TASTE
She came in. gave her time to set
the wine down. I didn't want Il drop
ped. Fritz poured out a glass and gave
Il 20 me-
Us the gentleman In great pain2" the
girl asked sympatheticaliy.
'The gentleman is no worse than
when he saw you last" said 1, throw
ing away my cloak
She started with a little shrek. Then
she cried:
1T was the king. then, 1 told mother
so the minute I saw his picture. Oh,
sir. forgive mev'
"Faith. you gave me nothing that
burt much" said l.
"But the things we saidw
y forgive them for the thing you
did"
Il must 90 and tell mother"
stop said I. assuming a graver air.
we are not here for sport tonight.
Go and bring dinner. and not a word
Of the king being here"
She came back in a few minutes.
looking grave. yet very curious.
We'll, how is johanna" / asked, be-
ginning my dinner.
"Oh' that fellow. sir-my lord king.
1 mean"
Sir viii do please. How is hep
we hardly see him now. STRIP
Aud why not:~
Il told him he came too often. sir"
said she, tossing her head
80 he sulks and stays awayg"
eyes. sir"
"But YOU could bring him backTr 7
suggested. with n smile.
Perhaps / could" said she
Il know your powers. YOU see" said
1, and she blusbed with pleasure.
ITS not only that. sir. that keeps
him away. He's very busy at the chs
tie now"
"But there's 10 shooting on now"
"No. sir; bat he's in charge OF the
house"
Johann turned housemaldy'
The little girl was trimming over
with gossip
We'll, there are no others" said she.
There's not "a woman there-not as a
servant 1 mean. They do say-but
perhaps it's false. sir"
lets have IL for what it's WORTH
said I.
Indeed, I'm ashamed TO tell you.
sir"
"On. see. I'm looking at the ceiling"
They DO say there is a lady there.
sir. but except FOR her there's not a
woman In the place. And Johann has
TO wait on the gentlemen"
Poor Johann, he must be over
worked. Yet I'm sure he could find
half an hour 10 come and SEQ YOU"
1T would depend on the time, sir,
perhaps"
DO YOU love himf' I asked.
"Not I. SIR"
"And you wish 20 serve the lzingT"
Eyes sir"
Then tell him 10 meet you at the
second milestone out OF Zenda tomor-
row evening at 10 O'Clock Say you'll
be there and viii walk home with
him"
"DO YOU mean him harm. sirT'
"Not II he viii do as I bid him. But
I think I've told you enough. my pretty
maid. See that You 90 as I bid you
And, mind, no one Is 20 know that the
king has been here"
l spoke a little sternly, for there Is
seldom harm IN infusing a little fear
into wOman's liking for you, and
softened the effect by giving her a
handsome present Then we dlned.
and, wrapping my cloak about my face,
with Fritz leading the way. we went
downstairs 10 our horses again.
1t was but half past and hardly yet
dark. The streets were full for such
quiet little place, and I could see that
gossip was all agog. With the king on
one side and the duke on the other,
Zenda felt itself the center Of all RurI-
tania. We logged gently through the
town, but set our horses tC a sharper
pace when we reached the open coun-
try.
You want to catch this fellow Jo-
hannT asked Fritz.
aye. and l fancy I've baited the
hook right. Our little Delllah will
888T683l t II