The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1908-12-16

dience and withdrew full OF thought.
The order was an easy matter. and
honors for Sophy did no harm. The
marriage was ground much more deli
cate. 1t touched the big stake" which
Colonel stafpitz had ~ emphatically
warned the general not to play on the
bad hand dealt to him by Mlstiteh's
laundering. Bet. with the big guns In
position and the sturdy men OF Nolseni
behind them, would good hand ever
come?
There were but three in the inner
secret OF the scheme. but they were
three OF the longest heads In Kravonla
Countess Ellenburg was n plous wo-
man and Of exemplary demeanor; but.
as Markart told Sophy. women are am
bilious. and she had borne the king a
son. stenovlcs saw himself cast aside
Ike an old glove II Prince Serglus came
TO the throne. Stafnitz was born
fisher in troubled waters and threw n
skillful net. Twice before IN the coun-
try's history intrigue had made revolu.
ton and changed the order Of success.
sion In the house OF Stefanovitch. The
three waited on chance. but the chance
was not yet. II the king were ut en-.
nifty with his son or II there was q
demise Of the crown while the prince
was not on the spot TO look after his In
terests. there might lie The opportunity
But now the king was all cordiality for
his heir apparent; the prince was on
the spot; the guns and their Nolseniau
Gunners threatened to be on the spot
toe. ere long. II was not now the mo
ment for the big stake.
King Alexis was delighted with his
new order. and the grand masters In
sigma we're very handsome. In the
center of five pointed star st. Michae
slew the dragon.-a symbol perhaps OF
Captain Mistitchl But the king had
not done vet. There was honor for the
princes friends too. Men should know
that service to the royal house was
meritorious In proportion 10 the Illus
trious position OF that house. Zerko
1 witch stood forward aud was made
chevalier of the Cross Of Kra vonla. The
occasion cost Zerkovitch the price Of Il
court suit. but for Maries sake he bore
the outlay patiently. Then the king
having refreshed himself With a draft
which his valet Lepage brought him
turned TO his most pleasing task The
keeper OF the tapestries was called
from her place In the circle beside
Marie Zerkovitch. Colonel Stafniiz had
not noticed her standing there. but now
he gave a little start. The figure seem
ell familiar. He turned his head round
to Markart who was just behind him.
Yes. that's her" Markart whispered
In answer TO the question In the colo
nel's eyes. The eyes few back 10 So
ply instantly. There. too. was set the
gaze OF Countess Eilenburg. for Sophy
was in full beauty that day. She. too.
loved toys. and her ancient hatred OF
the name 70 which she had been born
must he remembered Her eyes glowed.
and the red star glowed on her cheek.
All her air was triumphant as she
courtesied to the king and then stood
erect and proud TO hear his gracious
words
Gracious bis words were for her deed
aud gracious his smile for her comely
beauty. He could at least look a king
no man denied him that-and speak
In kingly phrases "A service unmatch-
ed In courage and Unreasonable in Inn
portance TO us aud our royal house. the
preservation OF our dearly loved son
and only heir" Countess Ellenburg
looked down her nose at that. For
such an act did he confer patent OF
nobility on Sophy and for greater hon
or gave her as title the name OF one OF
his own estates, together with n charge
on Its revenues equal TO her new dig
nifty.
lie ended and sank back In his chair
Her prince came forward and kissed
her hand before them all. Countess e.
lenburg bowed condescendingly A
1ecorous murmur OF applause filled the
hall MS. with shining eyes. Sophia. Bar
oness Dobrava. courtesled again very
low.
So. as Sophy Crouch had gone. went
Sophie de Grucbe,
"She's delighted. poor child" vhis-
pered Marie Zerkovitch. but only Julia
Robins. in England. far away. heard
the full torrent Of sophy's simple. child