Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-04-20

petmit VI MS absence. lie begged
therefore that IL such humble Though.
as he added, clean and comfortable
lodgings would satisfy me would take
his place. He pledged his sisters ac-
quiescence and urged the inconven-
fence and crowding 10 VIII Oh / should
be subject In my journeys TO and from
Strelsau the next day.
I accepted his offer without a mo-
meut's hesitation. and be went OF to
telegraph to his sister. while I packed
up and prepared 20 take the next train.
But / stin hankered after the forest
and the shooting lodge. and when my
little maid told me that 1 could. by
walking ten miles or so through the
forest. bit the railway at a roadside
station l decided 10 send my luggage
direct to the address which Johann
had given, take my walk and follow TO
Strelsou myself. Johann had gone of
and was not aware Of the change In
my plans, but as its only effect was to
delay my arrival at his sisters for a
few hours there was no reason for
troubling 70 inform him OF Il. Doubt
less the good lady would waste no
anxiety on my account.
took an early luncheon, and. having
hidden my kind entertainers farewell.
promising TO return TO them on my
way home. 1 set out to climb the hil
that led to the castle and thence to the
forest OF Zcnda. Half an hours leis-
urcly walking brought me TO tho cas-
tie. 1t had been a fortress In old DAYS.
and the ancient keep was stn I'm good
preservation and very imposing. Be
hind il stood another portion OF the
original castle. and behind that again.
and separated from &c by a deep and
broad moat which ran all round tho
old buildings, was handsome modern
chateau. erected 10y the last King and
now forming the country residence OF
the Duke or Strelsau. The old and the
now portions were connected bv
drawbridge. and this Indirect mode OF
access formed the only passage be-
tween the OLD building and the outer
world but leading 90 the modern
chateau there was a broad and hand
some avenue It was an ideal resi-
dence. When Black Michael desired
company De could dwell ia his chateau:
If a ft of misauthropy seized him ne
had merely 70 cross the bridge and
draw It MP after him Gt ran on rollers).
and nothing short OF n regiment and
a 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
at least got as fine a residence as
any prince On Europe.
soon 7 entered the forest and walked
on for am hour or more in lbs cool. SOM
Der shade. The great trees enlaced
with one another over my head and
the sunshine stole through ln patches
as bright as diamonds and hardly bic
ger was enchanted with the place
and. finding a felled tree trunk. prom
ped my back against II and. stretching
my legs out gave myself up 20 undis-
turhed contemplation OF the solemn
beauty OF the woods and 70 the com
fort or good cigar. And when the
cigar was finished and 1 had. I sun
pose. inhaled as much beauty rs
could I went or into the most delight
ful sleep, regardless OF my train 70
Strelsau and ~ tho fast waning after
noon. TO remember a train I'm such a
spot would have bccn rank sacrificed.
INSTEAD of uot 7 fcl 20 dreaming that
] was married % the Princess Tlavia
and dwcit in thc castle OF Zenda and
hegulcd whole days with my love In
the glades 81 the forest which made a
very pleasant dream. In fact. / was
Just impressinc q fervcnt kiss on the
charming lips OF the princess when
heard (and the voice seemed az hrBt a
part or the drcam) some one exclalm
IN rough. strident tones:
'Why, tie devils In ~ Shave him.
and he'd be tie kingr
The idea seemed whimsical enough
Tor a dream. by the sacrifice OF my
heavy mustache and carefully pointed
imperial l was 20 be transformed into
n monarch. / was about TO kiss the
princess again when ! arrived very
reluctantly at the conclusion that
was awake.
l opened my eyes and found two men
regarding me with much curiosity.
Both wore shooting costumes and car
Tled guns. one was rather short and
very stoutly built. with a big, bullet
shaped head. a bristly gray mustache
and small pale blue eyes, tribe blood
shot. The other was slender young
fellow Of middle height, dark in COM
plexlon and bearing himself with
grace-Snd distinction. j set the one
dowIS-1s an old soldier. the other for
a gentleman accustomed 70 move in
good society, but not unused TO mill
tary life either. 1t turned out after
ward that my guess was a good one.
The elder man approached me. beck
oning the younger to follow. He did
so. courteously raising his hat. l rose
slowly 10 my feet.
Hes the height. toor' heard the
elder murmur as he surveyed my six
feet two inches OF stature. Then, with
q cavalier touch or the cap. he ad-
dressed me:
''AIay 1 ask your Manner
"As you have taken the first step in
the acquaintance, gentlemen" said I,
with a smile, suppose you give me a
lead in the matter OF names"
The young man stepped forward
with q DieaSapt smile