West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1907-03-14
NUMBER 20

/ iencc and crowding 10 which I should
be subject I'm my Journeys TO and from
Strelsau tho next day.
l accepted his ofror without n mo-
monts hesitation. and he went or 20
telegraph 60 his slstor. while packed
up and prepared 60 take the noxt train.
But l stlll hankorod after the forest
and the shooting lodge and when my
little maid told me that | could, by
walking ten miles or so through tho
forest hit tho railway at roadside
station decided 10 send my luggage
| direct 20 tho address which Johann
had given. take my walk and follow to
Strolsau myself, Johann had gono OF
and was not aware OF tho change I'm
my plans, but az It's only effect was to
delay my arrival at his sisters for
few hours there was no reason for
troubling to inform him of it. Doubt.
less the good lady would waste no
anxiety on my account
took an carly luncheon, and. having
blddon my kind entertainers farewell,
promising 20 return 60 them on my
way home. l sot out 20 climb tho hill
that led 20 the castle and thence to the
forest OF Zondn. Half an hours leIs-
urcly walking brought me 60 tho cas-
| tic. IL had been fortress I'm old days,
and tho ancient keep was still IN good
proscryntlon ana very imposing. Be
hind IL stood another portion or the
original castle, and behind that again,
and separated from Il 10y a deep and
broad moat which ran all round the
old buildings, was u handsome modern
chateau. erected 10y the last king and
| now forming the country residence OF
the Duke OF Strclsau Tho old aud the
new portions were connected by
drawbrdgc. ana this indirect mode OF
access formed the only passage bo-
tween the old building and the outer
world but leading TO tho modern
chateau there was n broad and hand
some avenue. It was an ideal resL
dencc. When Black Michael desired
company ho could dwell In his chateau;
| if 1T OF mlsnnthrOpy seized him he
! had merely TO cross the bridge and
draw II up after him dt ran on rollers),
and nothing short OF a regiment nnd
train OF artillery could fetch him out.
! / went ON my way glad that poor
Black Michael, though he could not
have the throne or the princess, had
nc least got as fine residence as
nny prince I'm Europe.
Soon / entered the forest aud wnlked
! on for nm hour or more In It's cool SOM
bor shade. Tho great trees enlaced
with ono another over my head aud
the sunshine stole through In patches
as bright az diamonds and hardly big
! ger. / was enchanted with tho place
and, finding n felcd tree trunk, prop
ped my back against II and, stretching
my legs out, gave myself up TO undls.
turbed contemplation OF the solemn
beauty OF the woods and 90 the com
fort OF good cigar. And when tho
cigar was finished and / had, I sup
| posO. inhaled ns much beauty as I
could / went Off into tho most delight
| ful sleep regardless OF my train 20
! Strolsau and OF tho fast waning after
noon. To Tomombor train In such a
spot would have been rank sacriiege.
Instead OF that foil TO dreaming that
i was married 60 the Princess F1avla
and dwolt I'm the castle or Zenda and
boguiled whole days with my love I'm
tho glados OF tho forest, which made q
very pleasant dream. In fact, I was
just improssing n feryent kiss on the
Charming lips OF tho princess when
heard (and the voice seemed &C fFEt a
part OF the dream some one exclalm
I'm rough. strldent tones:
"Why. the devils In it Shave him,
and he'd be the kingw
The idea seemed whimsical enough
for n dream. by the sacrifice OF my
heavy mustache and carefully pointed
| imperial ] was TO be transformed into
a monarchl ! was about 90 kiss the
| princess again when ] arrived very
reluctantly at tho conclusion that 1
was awake.
] opened my eyes and found two men
regarding me with much curiosity.
Both wore shooting costumes and car
rled guns one was rather short and
very stouty built, with a big bullet
shaped head. bristly gray mustache
ana small pale blue eyes, a trine blood
shot The other was n slender young
fellow Of middle height dark In com
plexion and bearing himself with
grace and distinction ] set the one
down M an old soldier, the other for
gentleman accustomed 70 move in
good society. but not unused 20 mill
tary life either IL turned out after
ward that my guess was good ono.
The cider man approached me. beck.
oning the younger TO follow. Ho did
80, courteously raising his hat I rose
slowly 20 my feet
Hes the height. t0ow ] heard the
elder murmur ns he surveyed my six
feet two inches of stature. Then, with
cavalier touch Of the cap no ad-
dressed me:
"May / ask your nameW
"As you have taken the first stop I'm
the acquaintance gentlemen said ],
with n smile, suppose you give me
lead I'm the matter of names"
The young man stepped forward
with n pleasant smile.
"Thlsp said ne. "is Colonel Sapt. and
am called Fritz Won Tarlenheim. We
nro both ln the service Of the king OF
/ BmItuu.u'
bowed and, barring my head, an
swercd.
"T am Rudolf Rassoudyll / am a
traveller from England, and once FOR a
year or two / held a commission from
her majesty the queen
. "Thcu wc nro 900 brethren OF tho
/ sword" answered Tarlenheim. holding
out hs h9nd. which / took readily.
/ "HasseuGgll Rnsscudyilw muttered
\ Colonel sapt Thcn a g!eam Of intelll
/ gcncc fitted across hs. face.
by heaven" he cried, you're OF the
/ Burlesdonsw
my brother is now Lord Burlesdon"
said l. <~.
"Thy head bcwravcth thee" he chuc-
/ EloH uofuffug Ca mo rfmnovoroN ftnU