Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1907-07-26

ger WINS and though every day Of our
present sweet intercourse strained my
endurance almost to breaking. AS a
final blow nothing would content my
advisers. Strakencz and the chancellor,
who came out from Strelsau to make
an urgent representation to me, save
that should appoint a day for the
public solemnization Of my betrothal,
ceremony which in Ruritania Is well
nigh as binding and great thing as
the marriage itself. And this, with
Flavia sitting by me, l was forced to
do, setting date fortnight ahead
and appointing the cathedral In Strel-
sau as the place. And this formal act.
being published far and wide, caused
great 10y throughout the kingdom and
was the talk of all tongues, SO that l
reckoned there were but two men VINO
ehafed ut it, mean Black Michaei
and myself-and but one who did not
know of it-that one the man whose
name / bore, the king Of Ruritania.
In truth, heard something OF the
way the news was received In the cas-
tle for after an interval of three days
the man Johann, greedy for more mon
ev. though fearful for his life, again
found means to visit us. He had been
waiting OH the duke when the tidings
come Black Michael's face had grown
blacker still, and he had sworn saw
arely. Nor was he better pleased when
Rrpert took oath that / meant to do as
I said and. turning to Nine. de Maui
ban, wished her joy on rival gone.
Nichaers hand stole toward his sword,
said Johann. but not bit did Rupert
care for he rallied the duke on hav-
ing made better king than had reign
ed for years past in Ruritania. And"
said he. with meaning bow to his ex-
asperated master, "the devil sends
the princess finer man than heaven
had marke out for her. BY my soul, he
doesw Then Michael harshly babe him
hold his tongue and leave them, but
Rupert must needs first kiss madame's
hand which he did as though he loved
her. while Michael glarcd at him.
This was the lighter side of the Eel
lows news, but more serious came be-
hind. and it was plain that II time
pressed at Tarlenheim 1t pressed none
the less fiercely at Zenda. For the king
was>v very sick. Johann had seen him.
and he was wasted and hardly able to
move. "There could be no thought OF
taking another for him now" So alarm
ed were they that they had sent for a
physician from Strelsau, and the physl'
clan. having been introduced into the
kings cell, had come forth pale and
trembling and urgently prayed the
duke to let him go back and NEEDLE no
more in the affair. But the duke would
not. and held him there prisoner, tell
ing him his life was safe II the king
lived while the duke desired and died
when the duke desired-not otherwise
And. persuaded by the physician, they
had allowed Nine. de Mauban to visit
the king and give him such attendance
as his state needed and as only WON
an can give. Yet his life hung IN the
balance, and l was yet strong and
whole and free. Wherefore great gloom
reigned at Zenda, and, save when they
uuarreled. to which they were very
prone, they hardly spoke. But the
deeper the depression OF the rest,
young Rupert went about Satan's WORK
with a smile in his eye and song on
his lip, and laughed eft to burst" (saio
JOHANNA because the duke always SET
Detchard to guard the king when Nine
de Mauban was in the cell-which pre-
caution was, indeed, not unwise In my
careful brother Thus Johann told bis
tale and seized his crowns. Yet lie be-
sought US to-allow him to stay with us
in Tarlenheim, and not venture bis
head again in the lions den, but we
had need Of him there, and, although
refused to constrain him, prevailed on
him by increased rewards to 60 back
and. to carry tidings to Nine. de Maui
ban that l was working for her and
that. if she could, she should speak one
word Of comfort to the king, for, while
suspense is bad for the sick, yet de-
spair is worse still, and it might be
that the king lay dying of mere hope
lessness, for / could learn OF no den,
mite disease that afflicted him.
"And how do they guard the king
now?" l asked. remembering that two
of the Six were dead and Max Holt
also.
"Detchard and Bersonin watch by
night, Rupert Hentzau and Gautet by
day, sir" he answered.
"Only two at timer
"Aye. sir, but the others rest In q
room Just above and are within SOUND
of cry or whistle"
"a room just above? / didn't know
of that Is there any communication
between it and the room where they
watchY @e
mo. sir. You must go down a few
stairs and through the door by the
drawbridge, and so to where the king
is lodged"
"And that door is locked"
"Only the four lords have keys, SIR"
l drew nearer to him.
"And have they keys of the graf
ing?' asked in low whisper.
81 think, sir, only Detchard and Ru'
pert"
"Where does the duke lodge?'
"In the chateau on the first floor
His apartments are on the right al
you go toward the drawbridge."
"And Nine. de MaubanT
"Just opposite Oh the left. But her
door is locked after she has entered"
ITO keep her inT'