Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-03-16

loosely gathered in knot. She kisse,
 her hand to me, crying: ..
 Bring the king up, Helga: I'll giv,
 him some coffee"
 The countess, with a gay glance, set
 the way and took me into Flavia'i
 morning room. And. left alone, W,
 greeted enc another as lovers ar,
 wont. Then the princess laid two let
 ters before me. One was from Blacl
 Michael-a most courteous request tha
 she would honor him by spending {
 day at his castle of Zenda, as had beer
 her custom once year in the sum
 mer, when the place and Its gardens
 were in the height of their great beau ty. I threw the letter down in dis
 gust, and Flavia laughed at me. Then
 growing grave again, she pointed te
 the other sheet.
 T don't know who that comes from
 she said Read it."
 knew In a moment. There was nc
 signature at all this time. but the hand
 writing was the same as that which . had told me of the snare in the sum- mer house. It was Antoinette de Mau, bans. 1 I have no cause to love you Tit ranl but God forbid that you should fall into the power of the duke. Accept no invita- tions of his. Go nowhere without large guard-a regiment is not too much to make you safe. Show this if you can to him who reigns in Strelsau,
 "Why doesn't it say the king"" ask ed Flavia, leaning over my shoulder so. that the ripple of her hair played on my neck. ''Is it hoax?" .> 4, ! ''As you value life and more than life, my queen" said. "obey it to the very letter. A regiment shall camp round your house today. See that you do not so out unless we'll guarded" An order, sire:" she asked, a little rebellious. -,. -. sF.
 Yes. an order, madame--if you love me-"
 "Ah.' she cried. And could not but kiss her. -t
 You know who sent it." she asked.
 'I guess" said I. Tt is from a good friend-and, I fear. an unhappy wo- man. You must be i'll Flava. and un- able to go to Zenda. Make your ex- cuses as cold and formal as you lke.'
 "So you feel strong enough to anger Michael:' she said, with proud smile.
 I'm strong enough for anything while you are safe" said I.
 Soon l tore myself away from her. and then, without consulting Sapt. took my way to the house of Marshal Strakencz. had seen something of tine old general. and liked and trusted him. Sapt was less enthusiastic. but had learned by now that Sapt was best pleased when he could do everything. and jealousy played some part in his views. As things were now. had more work than Sapt and Fritz could manage. for they must come with me to Zenda. and l wanted man to guard what l loved most In all the world and suffer me to set about my task of re- leasing the king with a quiet mind.
 The marshal received me with most loyal kindness. To. some extent took him into my confidence.\ charged him with the care of the princess. looking him full and significantly in the face as I bade him let no one from her cousin the duke approach her unless he himself were there and a dozen of his men with him.
 You may be right. sire" said he, shaking his gray head sadly. "I have known better men than the duke do worse things than that for love"
 could quite appreciate the remark. but I said:
 There's something beside love. mar shal. Loves for the heart. Is there my brother might like for his lead:" T pray that you wrong him. sire" Marshal, I'm leaving Strelsau for a lew days. Every evening will send courier to you. If for three days lone comes you will publish an order which I will give you depriving Duke Michael of the governorship of Strelsau md appointing you in his place. You will declare state of siege. Then you vlll send word to Michael that you lemand an audience of the king. You ollow meT
 Aye. sire" "Tn twenty-four hours. If he does | ot produce the king'-I laid my hand | n his knee-''then the king is dead. nd you will proclaim the next heir. lou know who that isT' The Princess Flavia."
 And swear to me on your faith and onor and by the fear of the living ;od that you will stand by her to your cath and kill that reptile and seat her -here I sit now
 "On my faith and honor and by the gar of God I swear it, And may A. lishty God preserve your majesty. for think that you 70 on an errand of anger
 T hope that no life more precious nan mine may be demanded" said I. sing. Then held out my hand to Im.
 Marshall I said. fin days to come may bel know not-,ha. you will ,sr strange things Of tine man who eaks to you now. Let him be what may and who he may. what say u of the manner in which he has -ne himself as king in StrelsauT The old man. holding my hand. spoke me. man to man