Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1907-04-17
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the street. The princess ran to the
window.
at Is her she cried. 'It is-the
Duke OF Strelsauv'
smiled. but said nothing. She re-
turned to her seat. For a few mo-
ments we sat In silence. The noise
outside subsidized. but 1 heard the tread
of feet In the anteroom. l began to
talk on general subjects. This went OH
for some minutes. l wondered what
had become OF Michael. but II did not
seem to be for me to Interfere. All at
once. to ny great surprise. Flavla
clasplng her hands. asked In an ag
tated voice:
Are you wise to make him angry
what? Who? How am making
him angryT'
"Why. by keeping him waiting"
"My dear cousin, I don't want TO
keep him
"Well. then. is he to come ln?"
"Of course. IL you wish IT,"
She looked at me curlously.
"How funny you are" she said. "Of
/ was with you"
Here was charming attribute OF
royalty.
IAN excellent etiquetter' | cried
"But | had clean forgotten II. and II
| / were alone with some one else
couldn't you be announcedY'
"You know as well as do. I could
10 I % MI
The still looked puzzled.
81 never could remember all these
silly rules" said / rather feebly as |
lnwardly cursed Fritz for not posting
me up But I'll repair my fault"
jumped up, flung open the door and
advanced into the anteroom. Michael
was sitting at table, heavy frown
on his face. Every one else was stand
ing. save that impudent young dog
Fritz. who was lounging easily In an
armchair and flirting with the Coun-
tess Helga. He leaped up as I en-.
tered with q deferential elasticity that
lent point TO his former nonchalance.
| | had no difficulty In understanding
that the duke might not like young
Fritz.
I held out my hand. Michael took
| It, and embraced him. Then l drew
him with me into the inner room.
| Brother I said. az had known
| you were here you should not have
waited a moment before l asked the
| princess to permit me TO bring you &c
her"
He thanked me.but coldly. The mar
had many qualities, but he could not
hide his feelings. mere stranger
could have seen that he hated me and
hated worse to see me with Princess
Flavia. Yet am persuaded that hi
tried to conceal both feelings and. fur
cher. that he tried to persuade me tha
he believed l was verify the king.
did not know. OF course but unless
the king were an impostor. at once
cleverer and more audacious than
land began TO think something OF my
self in that role), Michael could not be
lieve that And II he didn't. how h,
must have loathed paying me defer
ence and hearing my Michael" ant
my "Fiavia."
served. with concern.
"Yes; was playing game with I
mongrel dog q meant to stir hlm). an,
you know. brother. such have uncertain
tempers"
He smiled souriy, and his dark eye
rested on me for a moment.
"But is there no danger from tin
biteY' cried Flavia anxiously.
"None from this" said l. "If / CAV
him chance to bite deeper. II woul,
be different. cousin"
But surely he has been destroyed?
said she.
"Not yet. We're waiting to see 1
his bite is harmful"
"And IL IL is?' asked Michael. wit
his sour smile.
Hell be knocked on the head. broth
err" said /.
"You won't play with him an.
morew urged Flavia.
Perhaps I shall"
"He might bite again"
Doubtless he'll try" said l. smiling
Then, fearing Michael would sa,
something which I must appear to re
sent (for though l might show him m,
hate. l must seem to be full OF favor
began TO compliment him on the mag
nificent condition OF his regiment an
OF their loyal greeting TO me on til
day OF my coronation. Thence passe'
to a rapturous description OF the shoot
ing lodge which he had lent me. Blu
he rose suddenly to his feet His ten
per was failing him, and as an excus
he said farewell However. as b
reached the door he stopped. saying:
Three friends of mine are very anx
ious to have the honor Of being pre-
scented TO you, sire. They are here Il
the antechamber."
joined him directly, passing my arr
through his. The look on his face wa
honey to me. We entered the ante
chamber In fraternal fashion. Michae
beckoncd. and three men came for
ward.
These gentlemen" said Michae
with a stately courtesy which, TO q
him justice, he could assume with pei
| I... Inu