Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-03-14

could do no harm by calling. and in this view Fritz supported me with cordiality that surprised me until he confessed that he also had his motive for liking visit to the princess house, which motive was no other than a great desire to see the princess lady in waiting and bosom friend, the Coun- tess Helga von Strofzin. Etiquette seconded Fritz's hopes. While I was ushered into the princess room he remained with the countess in the antechamber. In spite of the peo- pie and servants who were hanging about I doubt not that they managed a tete-a-tete, but l had no leisure to ! think of them, for was playing the most delicate move in all my difficult game. I had to keep the princess de voted to me-and yet indifferent to me; I had to show affection for her-and not feel it. I had to make love for an other, and that to girl who, princess or no princess, was the most beautiful had ever seen. Well, braced myself 1 to the task, made no easier by the charming embarrassment with which was received. How succeeded in carrying out my programme will ap- pear hereafter.
 You are gaining golden laurels.' she said. You are like the prince ill Shakespeare who was transformed by becoming king. But I'm forgetting you are king, sire"
 Il ask you to speak nothing but what your heart tells you and to call me nothing but my name." She looked at me for a moment.
 "Then I'm glad and proud, Rudolf" said she. Why, as told you, your very face is changed" E .. I I acknowledged the compliment, but I disliked the topic, so said:
 My brother is back, I hear. He made an excursion, didn't hep
 "Yes, he is here," she said, drowning a little.
 He can't stay long from Strelsau, it seems" I observed, smiling. Well, we are all glad to see him. The nearer he is the better"
 The princess glanced at me with a gleam of amusement ill her eyes.
 "Why, cousin? Is 1t that you cam
 "See better what he's doing? Per haps," said I. And why are you glad?"
 "I didn't say was glad" she an- swered.
 "some people say so for you"
 "There are many insolent people" |" she said. with delightful haughtiness.
 Possibly you mean that am one?"
 "Your majesty could not be-" she said, courtesying in feigned deference, but adding mischievously after a , pause, unless, that is"-
 "Well, unless what:"
 Unless you tell me that I mind Il snap of my fingers where the Duke of Strelsau is.
 Really l wished that had been the liking.
 You don't care where Cousin Mi. 'chael"-
 "Ah, Cousin Michael! I call him the Duke of Strelsau."
 You call him Michael when you meet himt"
 "Yes-by the orders of your father"
 "I see. And now by mine:"
 ''If those are your orders"
 "oh, decidedly. We must all be pleasant to our dear Michael"
 "You order me to receive his friends too, supposew
 "The SixT'
 You call them that too?'
 "To be in the fashion I do. But l order you to receive no one unless you like"
 Except yourself:"
 q pray for myself. I could not or der"
 As spoke there came a cheer from the street. The princess ran 10 tht window.
 "It is he.' she cried. Tt is-the Duke of Strelsau.'
 I smiled. but said nothing. She re turned to her seat. For n few mo ments we sat in silence. The noise outside subsided. but I heard the tread of feet in the anteroom. 1 began tc talk on general subjects. This went oI for some minutes. wondered what had become of Michael. but 1t did no seem to be for me to interfere. All al once. to my great surprise. Flavia cIasping her hands, asked in an agi tated voice:
 Are you wise to make him angryT "what? Who? How am I making him angryT'
 "why, by keeping him waiting" My dear cousin, I don't want tc keep him
 "well- then. is he to come inr7
 "of course. if you wish it" She looked at me curiousiy.
 "How funny you are" she said "Oi course no one could be answered while I wss with you" Here was a charming attribute oi royalty.
 -An excellent etiquette- I cried But I had clean forgotten it. and Il IT were alone with some one eiss couldn't you be announceiy "You know as well as do. c0uld be. because I am of the blood" And she still looked puzzled T never couIi remember all thesz silly rules said I rather feebly as invardly cursed Fritz for not posting ] me up. But I'll repair my fauit- I jumped up. flung open the door snd : advanced frto the snteroom- Nichael