The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1908-10-08

was no word in II about starting on his
journey.
Then Markart told his story-not that
he had much TO tell. In essence he
added only that the prince proposed to
await the kings answer at Praslok.
Neither to him had the prince said a
word about starting on his Journey.
On this point Stenovics seized, pur-
suant, no doubt, to the plan devised In
that preliminary discussion with the
other two members Of the little coterie.
'It is remarkable. sir even more
than remarkable, that his royal high
ness makes no reference at all to the
direct command which your majesty
was pleased to issue to him" he oh
served.
The king listened puzzled and rather
distressed YES, It isn't proper; II
isn't respectful. But now that my son
knows the state of my health l think
l must see him 1t seems unnatural to
refuse. After all. It may he the last
time, since he's going on this journey"
But is the prince going on his jour
ney, sirY' asked Stenovics. "Does the
studied silence of his letter augur well
for his obedience? Doesn't he seek an
interview I'm order TO persuade your
majesty against your better Judgment?
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
to understand them.
"My son knows how near this mat
ter is TO my heart shall be able to
persuade him to do his duty" said the
king.
The first round of the fight was go
ing against the coterle. They did not
want the king to see his son. Danger
lay there. The princes was the strong
er chara cter. 1t might well prevail
and they were NJ longer certain that
the prince knew or guessed 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 MaIkart gathered that the
prince was reluctant to interrupt the
military training on which he is en-
gagged at Volseni, sir"
"a very excellent thing, that, but the
other matter is more urgent 1 shouldn't
change my mind on account Of that"
"a personal interview might be try
ing to your majesty"
The king looked annoyed, possibly a
little suspicious. you've no other OBJ
lection than that to urge, General Ste
novics?"
Stenovics had none other which he
could produce. "No, sir" he said.
"While I'm here l must do my duty,
and I shall induce my son to do his.
I'll receive the Prince of Slavna In pri-
vate audience tomorrow or next day.
I'll fix the precise time later, and I'll
write the letter my self"
The decision was final, and It was de-
feat so far. There was a moments ST.
lence. Markart saw Colonel Stafnitz
nod his head almost imperceptibly to-
ward Countess Ellenburg. The need
and the moment for re-enforcements
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
question, put with a sneer:
"Dld no other reason for the princes
unwilingness to set out on his journey
suggest itself to Captain Markart from
what he saw at Praslok?"
The king turned sharply round TO
her, then to Markart. "Well?" he ask.
ed the latter.
Markart was sadly embarrassed.
"Who was at PraslokT asked the
countess.
"Mme. Zerkovitch, and her husband
for one night, and Baroness Dobrava."
"Yes, Baroness Dobravap'
"She's still tbereT asked the king.
He 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 hint
Wen tell her how much we miss her at
Slavna." He tried to make them an
swer his smile and accept his smooth
ing away Of the difficulty. 1t was all
a failure.
'I'm bound to say, sir, that consider
Baroness Dobrava a serious obstacle
to his royal hlghness obeying your
wishes-a serious obstacle" said Ste
movies.
"Then we must get her away, gen.
eral."
"will he let her go2" snapped the
countess.
IL must order It II It comes to that"
said the king. "These little-er-affairs
se-what-holiday hirtations"-
The countess lost or appeared to lose
control Of herself suddenly. Little af-
fairs! Holiday flirtations! II 1t were
only that It would be beneath your no
tice, sir, and beneath mine. It's more
than thatv'
The king started and leaned for
ward, looking at her. She rose to her
faaf nruin0. NAIora than khatI UybtIa