The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1908-12-31


other two members of the little coterie.
1T is remarkable. sir, even more
than remarkable. that his royal high
ness makes no reference at all 70 tue
direct command which your majesty
was pleased to issue TO him." he OBJ
served.
The king listened. puzzled aud rather
distressed. yes. IL isn't proper; II
isn't respectful. 'But now that my son
knows the state OF my health think
I must see him. II seems unnatural 10
refuse After all. IL may be the last
time. since he's going on this journey
"But is the prince going on his jour
ney. sir?" asked Stenovics. Does the
studied silence OF his letter augur Wen
for his obedience7 Doesn't he seek an
interview in order TO persuade your
majesty against your better Judgments
I must be pardoned freedom OF speech.
Great interests are at stake" The last
words were true enough. though not IN
the sense in which the king was meant
10 understand them.
any son knows how near this mat
ter is TO my heart. I shall be able TO
persuade him TO do his duty" said the
king.
The first round OF the fight was go
ing against the coterie. They did not
want the king to see his son. Danger
lay there. The princes was the strong
er character. II might well prevail.
nnd they were no longer certain that
the prince knew or gaessed nothing OF
their hopes and Intentions. How much
news had Zerkovitch carried TO Pras-
lok the night before? Stenovics ad-
dressed the king again.
captain Markart gathered that the
prince was reluctant 10 interrupt the
military training on which be Is en-
gagged ut Yolseni. sir"
"A very excellent thing that. but the
other matter is more urgent. | shouldn't
change my mind on account OF that"
"a personal Interview might be try
Ing TO your majesty"
The king looked ANNOYED. possibly
little suspicious. you've no other OBJ
lection than that TO urge. General Ste
novicsY"
Stenovics had none other which he
could produce. NO. SIR" be said.
while I'm here must do my duty.
and | shall induce my son TO do his.
I'll receive the Prince OF savna in pri-
vate audience tomorrow or next day.
I'll fix the precise time later. and Ill
write the letter myself"
r,h. .ra,f.F.t, x.sau fnof NJ was 10.
feat so far There was a moments ST
lence. Markart saw Colonel Stafnitz
nod his head almost imperceptihly To-
ward Countess Ellenburg. The need
and the moment for re-enforcemcnts
had come. The colonel was calling
them up. The order OF battle had been
well considered In Countess Ellenburg's
apartments. The second line came
into action. The countess began with
a question. put with a sneer:
did no other reason for the princes
unwillingness TO set out on his Journey
suggest itself TO Captain Markart from
what he saw az Prasiokf"
The king turned sharply round 10
her. then to Markart 'Welli" he ask
ed the Latter
Markart was sadly embarrassed.
who was at PraslokT' asked the
countess.
mime. Zorkovltch. aud her husband
for one night. and Baroness Dobrava.'
Yes. Baroness Dobravar'
"She's siill there asked the king
lie looked perplexed. even vexed. but
again he smiled. He looked at ste
movies and Stafnitz. but this time he
found no responsive smiles Their
faces were deadly serious "Oh. come.
well-well. that's not serious. Natural
perhaps. but-the prince has a sense OF
duty. He'll see that that won't do
And wen send the baroness a hint
wen tell her how much we miss her az
Slavna." He tried TO make them an
swer his smile and accept his smooth
Ing away OF the difficulty. II was all
a failure.
I'm bound 10 say. sir. that consider
Baroness Dobrava a serious obstacle
10 his royal hlghness obeying your
wishes-a serious obstacle" said ste
movies.
Then we must get her away. gen
eral."
"win he let her gof" snapped the
countess.
IL must order II II It comes 20 that"
said the king These liitle-er-afTairs
-these-what-ho holiday firtations"-
The countess lost or appeared TO lose
control Of herself suddenly. Little ar
fairs, Holiday fiirtationsi II II were
only that 1t would be beneath your no
tice. sir. and beneath mine. It's more
than that
The king started and leaned for
ward. looking at her. She rose 10 her
feet. crying: more than that! While
we sit talking here he may be marry
ing that woman
Marrying herr cried the king. His
face turned red and then. as the blood
ebbed again, became very pale.
That's what she means-yes. and
what he means too!'
The king was aghast The second as
sault struck home-struck at his dear
est hopes and wounded his most init
mate ambitions, but he was still in
credulous. He spread out trembling
hands, turning from the vehement wo-
man 20 his two counselOrs.