Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-03-11

uMYv W .AtJ ..u. .-1 ra-4. G.iSSGlDle as 10 IX be preiudiced against the ISe1SeI dukes keeper because he dis G@$Xs9 liked my complexion, and if I had been his most civil and obiiging conduct (as it seemed to me to bel next morning would have disarmed me. Hearing that was bound for Strelsau, he came to see me while I was break fasting and told me that a sister of his, who had married well to do tradesman and lived in the capital, had invited him to occupy room in her house. He had gladly accepted, but now found that his duties would not permit of his absence. He begged therefore that if 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 to which I should be subject in my journeys to and from Strelsau the next day.
 accepted his offer without mo-
  telegraph to his sister, while I packed up and prepared to take the next train. But I still hankered after the forest and the shooting lodge, and when my little maid told me that could, by walking ten miles or so through the forest, hit the railway at roadside station I decided to send my luggage direct to the address which Johann had given, take my walk and follow to Strelsau myself. Johann had gone off 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 to inform him of it. Doubt less the good lady would waste no anxiety on my account.
 I took an early luncheon, and, having bidden my kind entertainers farewell, promising to return to them on my way home, I set out to climb the hill that led to the castle and thence to the forest of Zenda Half an hours leis- urely walking brought me to the cas- tie. It had been fortress in old days, and the ancient keep was still in good preservation and very imposing. Be- hind it stood another portion of the original castle, and behind that again. and separated from it by deep and broad moat which ran all round the old buildings, was a handsome modern chateau, erected by the last king and now forming the country residence of the Duke of Strelsau. The old and the new portions were connected by q drawbridge, and this indirect mode of access formed the only passage be. tween the old building and the outer world, but leading to the modern chateau there was q broad and hand. some avenue. It was an ideal resi- dence. When Black Michael desired company he could dwell in his chateau; if fit of misanthropy seized him he had merely to cross the bridge and draw 1t up after him it ran on rollers>, and nothing short of a regiment and a train of artillery could fetch him out. I 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 residence as any prince in Europe.
 Soon entered the forest and walked on for an hour or more in its cool, son. Der shade. The great trees enlaced with one another over my head and the sunshine stole through in patches as bright as diamonds and hardly big ger. I was enchanted with the place and. finding felled tree trunk, prop ped my back against it and. stretching my legs out, gave myself up to undis- turbed contemplation of the solemn beauty of the woods and to the com fort of good cigar. And when the cigar was finished and had. I sup pose. inhaled as much beauty as could went off into the most delight full sleep, regardless of my train to Strelsau and of the fast waning after noon. To remember a train in such a spot would have been rank sacrilege. Instead of that fell to dreaming that I was married to the Princess Flavia and dwelt in the castle of Zenda and beguiled whole days with my love in the glades of the forest, which made a very pleasant dream. In fact. I was just impressing a fervent kiss on the charming lips of the princess when I heard land the voice seemed at first . part of the dreaml some one eIclain in rough, strident tones:
 Why, the devils in it. Shave him. and he'd be the king
 The idea seemed whimsical enough for a dreaIg. By the sacrifice of my heavy mustache and carefully pointed imperial was to be transformed into a monarch. I was about to kiss the princess again when I arrived tvery reluctantlyD at the conclusion that was awake.
 Iopened my eyes and found two men regarding me with much curiosity. Both wore shooting costumes and car. ried guns. One was rather short and very stoutly built. with A biz. bullet shaped head. a bristly gray nustache and small pale Ilue eyes. trife blood, shot. The other was a slender young fellow Of middle height. dark in com pIexion and hearing himself with grace and distinction. l set the one down as an old soldier. the other for a gentleman accustomed to move in good society. but not unused to mill tary fife either. IL turned Ousafter- ward that my guess was gsOd one
 The elder man approached me. beck. ouing the younger to follow He did