Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1908-08-14
was pleased to Issue to him." he OBJ

reIuSe. AFTER dil, 1t may pe Tue idSt
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 well
for his obedience? Doesn't he seek an
interview in order to persuade your
majesty against your better judgment?
I must be pardoned freedom of speech.
Great interests are at stake" The last
words W ere 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 shaft 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. 1t might well prevail,
and they were no 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 Markart 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. 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
noyics?"
Stenovics had none other which he
could produce. mo. sir" he said.
"While I'm here must do my duty,
and 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 myself"
The decision was final, and 1t was de-
feat SO far. There was 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
we'll considered in Countess Ellenburg's
apartments. The second line came
into action. The countess began with
question. put with sheer:
Did no other reason for the princess
unwillingness to set out on his Journey
suggest Itself to Captain Markart from
what he saw at Praslok n
The king turned sharply round to
her, then to Markart "Well?" he ask
ed the latter.
Markart was sadly embarrassed
"Who was at Prasloky' asked the
countess.
''Mme. Zerkovitch, and her husband
for one night, and Baroness Dobrava."
eyes. Baroness Dobravar'
"She's still there?" 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 sense of
duty. He'll see that that won't do.
And We'll send the baroness hint
Well tell her how much we miss her at
Slayna." He tried to make them an
swer his smile and accept his smooth
ing away of the difficulty. It was all
failure.
I'm bound to say. sir, that consider
Baroness Dobrava a serious obstacle
to his royal highness obeying your
wishes-a serious obstacle said Ste.
movies.
"Then we must get her away. gen
eral"
.'Will he let her goy' snapped the
countess
81 must order it if it comes to that"
said the king 'These litt.e-er--affairs
these what holiday firtations"
The countess lost or appeared to lose
control of herself suddenly. Little af
fairs! Holiday firtations! If it We're
only that 1t 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
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 to his two counselors.
Gentlemen! he said imploringly.
with outstretched hands.
They We're silent-gray and silent.
Captain Markart. you--you saw any
thing to suggest this this terrible
idea p
The fire was hot on poor Markart
again. He stammered and suffered.
"rhe--the baroness seemed to have
much influence, sir; Toto hold very
high position In the princes regard;
to-to be in his confidence"
Excellent Health Advice.
N