Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1907-05-08

Princess Flavia, as / had lifted mine.
Our plans were now all made, even
as we proceeded to carry them out.
and as they will hereafter appear The
next morning we were TO start on the
hunting excursion. / had made all ar
engagements for being absent, and now
there was only one thing left TO do
the hardest. the most heartbreakng.
AS evening fell | drove through the
busy streets TO Flavla's residence. l
was recognized as | went and heartily
cheered. i played my part, and made
shift TO look the happy lover. In spite
of my depression l was almost amused
at the GOODNESS and delicate hauteur
with which my sweet lover received
me. She had heard that the king was
leaving Strelsau on Il hunting expedi-
ton.
81 regret that we cannot amuse your
majesty here in Strelsau," she said,
tapping her foot lightly on the floor
81 would have offered you more enter
tainment but | was foolish enough Ia
think
well, whatT' / asked. leaning over
her.
THAT for just a day or two after
after last night-you might be happy
without much gayety," and she turned
pettishly from me as she added II
hope the boars will he more engross.
ing"
I'm going after very big boar"
said |; and. because | could not help
IT, / began TO play with her hair, but
she moved her head away.
Are you offended with meT l ask
ed In fcigned surprise, for l could not
resist tormentlng her little. l had
never seen her angry, and every fresh
aspect of her was delight TO me.
What right have | 10 be offended?
True, you said last night that every
hour away from me was wasted. But
a very big boar-that's different
thing
perhaps the boar will hunt me-" !
suggested. Perhaps, Flavla, he'll
Patch me-"
She made no answer.
You are not touched even by that
danger"
Still she said nothing. and /. stealing
round. found her eyes full of tears.
You weep for my dangerf'
Then she spoke very low:
This Is like what you used to be,
but not like the king-the king IL
have come 10 love-"
With a sudden great groan l caught
her to my heart.
my darling" | cried. forgetting ev-
erything but her. did you dream that
i left You 10 go huntingT'
What then. Rudolf? All. you're not
going
well. it is hunting. go to seek
Michael in his lair
She had turned very pale.
$50. you see. sweet, I was not so
poor lover as you thought me.
shall not be gone long
"You will write To me, RudolfT'
was weak, but l could not say a
word TO stir suspicion in her.
I'll send you all my heart every
day" said l.
And you'll run no dangerF
None that | need not
"And when will You be back? All.
how long it will be-
when shall he backI' | repeated.
Eyes, yes! Don't be long, dear: don't
be long. ] shan't sleep while you're
away"
81 don't know when l shall be back"
said /.
''Soon. Rudolf. soonf'
God knows. my darling. But IL
never
Hush. hushr and she pressed her
lips 10 mine.
IF never" whispered. you must
take my place. You'll be the only one
OF the house then. You must reign
and not weep for he"
For moment she drew herself up
like a very queen.
Eyes. / willr she said Il will reign.
will do my part. Though all my life
will be empty and my heart dead yet
I'll do it,"
She paused and. sinking against me
again walled softly:
Come soon, Come soon
Carried away cried loudly:
AS God lives. yes. myaelf-will
see you once more before l die"
"What do YOU mean:" she cxclaim-
ed with wondering eyes. but had no
answer for her. and she gazed mt me
with her wondering eyes.
1 dared not ask her to forget She
would have found it an insult could
not tell her then who and what was.
She was weeping. and l had but 20
dry her tears
''Shall a man not come back to the
lOveliest lady in all the wide worldf'
said J. ~ thousand NIchaels should
not keep me from YOU
She chung to me little comforted.
you won't let Michael hurt youf"
NO sweetheart"
cor keep You from meY
NO sweetheart"
"NOr any one clsef"
And again | answered:
NO sweetheart"
CHAPTER NIL
trout five miles from Zcnda.
IAI on the opposite side from that
6a{l ON which the castle was stu
U29 ated, there lies a large tract
Of wood. IL is rising ground. and in
the center Of the demcsne on the top