The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1908-12-01
Sophy of
Kravonia.
BY ANTHONY HOPE.
Author of"The Prisoner OF Zsnds."
Copyright. 1906. Anthony Hope
Hawkins.
CONTINUED from Last Issue)

The cafe was nearly deserted The
hour was too early for the citizens. and
Sophy's own chocolate had been merely
an excuse to sit down. Yet presently
young officer In hussar uniform stop
ped his horse opposite the door aud.
giving over the relns TO an orderly who
attended him. nlmbly dismounted Tall
and fair. with a pleasant. open face. he
wore his finery with dashing air and
raressed delicate upturned mustache
MS he glanced around. choosing his seat.
The next moment he advanced toward
Sophy. Giving her polite salute, he
indicated a little table next to hers.
"Mademoiselle permitsT' he asked.
"She has, fear. forgotten. but have
the honor TO be an acquaintance Of
hers"
Il remember" smiled Sophy. cap
tain Markarti We met at Nine Zerlio-
vitch's."
"Oh. that's pleasant Of you he cried.
Il hate being clean forgotten. But |
Pear you remember me only because !
sang so badly"
Il remember best that you said you
wanted To 90 and help France, but
your general wouldn't let you"
"Ah. know why you remember that
you especially Forgive me. Our
friend Marie Zerkovitch told me" He
turned away for a moment TO give an
order 10 the waiter.
whats going ON todayf" asked So
ply. Where's everybody golng?"
"Why. you are stranger. made
.nolsclle!' he laughed. "It's the kings
name day. and We all go and congratu-
late him"
us that itl Are you goingT"
certainly. In attendance Of my gen.
eral-General Sicnovics. My lodgings
are near here. his house at the other
end Of the boulevard. so he gave me
leave to meet him here. thought !
would come early and fortify myself
little for the ordeal. To mademoi-
selle's good health!' He looked at her
with openly admiring eyes. TO which
tribute Sophy accorded a lazy. unem-
barrassed smile. She leaned her chin
In her hand, turning her right check to-
ward him. Sophy was never disdainful,
never neglectful. Her pose now was
good.
what sort OF man is the kingT
she asked.
"The king Is most emphatically a
very good sort OF fe;low-a very good
old fellow. only wish his son was
like hint The prince Is Tartar. Has
he gone by yetT'
Il don't think so. suppose he'd have
an escort. wouldn't he? don't know
him by sight yet. Does everybody call
the king a good fellow"
"Some people are so extremely right
eousr' pleaded Marlart ruefully. And,
anyhow. he has reformed now"
because he's oldT'
Fifty nine. Is that so very old? No;
| rather attribute Il y0u're discreet.
hopeg I'm putting my fortunes in
your hands, to Nine. Ia Comtesse."
''The Countess Elleuburg; Marie has
told me something about her"
"Ahi Nine. Zerkovltch is friend Of
hersf"
"Not Intimate. ! think. And Is the
countess oppressively respectable. Cap
tain MarkartT'
women In her position always are. 7"
said the captain. with an affected sigh.
His round chubby face was wrinklcd
with merriment "You see. morgan
attic marriage isn't such q well estab-
lished institution here as In some other
countries. Oh. it's legal enough no
doubt II it's agreed 10 on that basis. but
the Stefanoyitches have In the past
often made nonroyal marriages-with
their own subjects generally. Well.
there was nobody else Tor them 20 mar
ry! Alexis got promotion In his first
marriage-an Italian bourbon. which Is
always respectable II not vers brilliant.
That gave US position and il couldn't
be thrown away. So the second mar
liage had 20 he morganatic. Only
well. women are ambitious. and she
has a young son who bears the kings
name. boy twelve years old"
lie looked refectiyely at his polished
DoolS. Hpllhs sat IA th'h,hAi VI Sh'hSts
A jingle of swords and the clatter OF
hoofs reused them. A troop Of soldiers
rode by. Their uniform was the same
smart tunic Of light blue. with black
facings. as adorned Captain Markart's
shapely person.
"Ah. here's the prince" said Markart.
rising briskly TO his feet. Sophy fol-
lowed his example, though more in
curiosity than in respect.
The young man at the head of the