The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-11-24

reith. au eaderly lady of domineerlng
 disposition and with history. The
 Margarine was to arrive at the cas-
 tie next day and the count. her duti-
 full husband, was preparing 70 recsNe
 her with musical allegortes and other
 demonstrations of regard. Therefore.
 the visit of Porpora and consuelo was
 especially opportune-they could ad-
 wise him.
 While the company at the castle
 were at breakfast the arrival Of two
 Prussian officers was announced. ana
 tbev were at once bidden to the table.
 The officer who walked in first was
 little man with a rather disagreeabie
 expression. His shoulders were round
 and of unsainly shape and ne had
 rather discrepit and aged air. thoqen
 he could not have been over So. bu.
 his step was firm and his toreheao
 comma nded respect, while his eyes hao
 extraordinary animation and bril-
 liancy. ..xaA rather ilI at ease and had nothing 10 distinguish him from any other supai- tern in the service of the great freo- erick. The two soldiers had been puy- ing horses in the neighoorhoou, aney sy said. and If the Count had any 10 SCH they would like to view his stable The Count had no horses to sell. but ne pressed his guests to remain Witn nm
 until the arrival of his lady.
 Al dinner that night the curious look ing man, who seemed the superior or
 acer of the two, took much delight in converfing with Consuelo and Porpora. The maestro drank rather too much or the Counts generous wine. The Baron de Kreutz as the senior Prussian or hcer called himself. asked some ques- tlons as to how the Porpora woula treat a royal pupil should royal pupil chance to make false note. Tie re- piled: T would pardon Frits tew | false notes, even though he had the im-
 pudence to make them in my presence. on condition that he would at once cor rect them"
 But if he would not?' asked the Count.
 Then would wash my hands of him
 even though he cut on my heao; re- re- piled Porpora. And in this strain he rambled on in spite of the attempts Of Consuelo to stop him, and greatly to the amusement of the Prussian, who kept spurring him on to wilder flights of imperial and royal disregard. That night the Prussians took their
 departure, and as they rode away the Count said to Porpora and Consuelo: Did you not know who he was? It is
 Fritz himself I knew 1t all along. But he files into rage if you let him
 see that you have penetrated his dis gnise."
 Consuslo. was troubled for the frank manner in which the maestro had ex' pressed himself. but Porpora felt no concern. Frederick might be King of Prussia, but he himself was king or
 song. They resumed their Journey the
 next day. Tho cold was intense and night was closing in as they came to Prague. When they reached the great bridge over the Moldaw. the bridge
 where the great statue of St. John Nepomuck stands. one of the horses 1 slipped and fell before the statue. Holy l Virginm cried the position, "an evil
 sign" Just then. as Porpora and Con-
 suelo alighted from the travelling car
 riaRe to see how serious was the acci- | dent. a horseman rode up and looked
 carefully at them. What was their
 surprise to recognize in this newcomer | the Baron Frederick of Rudolstadt!
 T was told to meet you here. he said. Come with me; will explain . It is Albert. He waits for you" Then. rapidly as he could, he told them that after the departure of Consuelo Albert had grown III and feeble with watch ing and waiting for her return. Now | he was dying; and in a vision some days before he had seen the horse fall before the statue. and all that had now taken place. He had written his uncle to be upon the bridge at ceE-