Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-05-27

Count Alexis prince then? Will even they who taught him to think himself prince? Oh, yes; they wanted him to go! And he wouldnt go if he knew your majesty was i'll. He loves your majesty. Yes. But if he hated you, stfll would he go?" With sudden turn he was round on Stenovics again and threw out his arms as though to embrace picture. Look! The prince Is away, the guns are come, the king dies! Who commands in the palace? Who governs Slavna?" He was back to the king with another swift turn. May I answer. sir? May I tell you? The mother of Prince Alexis commands in the palace Slavna is ruled by the friends of Captain Mistitchg' His voice fell to an ironical murmur. And the prince is far off-seeking great princess! Sir. do you see the picture?"
 Stafnitz suddenly lowered his eyes from the ceiling and looked at the ges- ticulating little man, with smile.
 Such imagination in the servants hallr he murmured half under his breath.
 The king neither rebuked his levity nor indorsed the insinuated satire. He took no notice at all. His eyes were fixed on his still trembling hands.
 Stenovics spoke in calm, smooth voice. Absolutely, sir, I believe the mans honestw he said, with an inflec- ton of good humored surprise "one sees how he got the idea! I'm sure he's genuinely devoted to your majesty and to the prince, as we all are. He sees something going on which he doesn't understand. He knows some thing is going on that he's ignorant of. He knows the unfortunate condition of your majesty's health. He's like nurse-forgive me-in charge of sick child. He thinks everybody but him. self has designs on his charge. It's really natural. however absurd, but it surely makes the precaution suggest cd even more necessary! If he went about spreading tale Ike this"
 The line was clever-cleverer far than the countess' rage. cleyerer than Stafnitz's airily bitter sheer. But of 1t, too, the king took no notice. Lepage took no more than lay in very scorn- ful smile. He leaned down toward the motionless. dull faced king and said in his ear:
 ''They wanted him to go. yes! Did they want him to come back again. sir? He bent a little lower and al- most whispered: How long would his journey have taken, sir? How long would it have taken him to get back if fin case of need?' One more question he did not ask in words, but 1t was plain enough without them, How long can your majesty count on living?"
 At last the king raised his head and looked round on them. His eyes were heavy and glassy.
 This man has been my trusted serv- ant for many, many years. You, Gen eral Stenoyics, have been my right hand, my other self. Colonel Stafnitz is high in my confidence. and Lepage is only my servant"
 T seek to stand no higher than any other of your majesty's servants except in 30 far as the nature of my services gives me claim" said Stenovics.
 "But there's one here who stands far nearer to me than any one, who stands nearer to me than any living being. She must know of this thing If it's true. If it's being done her hand must be foremost among the hands that are doing 1t" His eyes fixed themselves on the countess face. "Is it true?" he asked.
 "sir, how can you ask? How can you listen7 True! It's malignant in- ventioni He's angry because I re- proved him."
 "Yes. I'm angry. I said so. But It's true for all that"
 "silence. Lepage. Am I to take your word against the countess'T'
 Markart, silent listener to all this scene. thought that Lepage's game was up. Who could doubt what the count ess' word would bel Probably Lepage. too. thought that he was beaten, that be was a ruined man. for he played desperate card-the last card of a bank rupt player Yet 1t was guided by shrewdness and by the intimate knowl- edge which his years of residence in the palace had given him. He knew the king well. aud he knew the Count sss Ellenburg hardly less thoroughly.
 T speak truth. sir. as I believe it. but I can't expect you to take my word against the countess. have too much respect for Mme. Ia Comtesse to ask that"
 Again he bent down toward the king. The king looked up at him. stenovics' sgmile came back into the mind. In . low. soothing tone Lepase made his throv-his last suggestion. Mime. Ia Comtesse iS of great piety. lf Nine Ia Comtexse wiH take a solemn oath vel. then. I'm content. III say I was nistaken-honest. I declare. sir. but mistaken"
 stenovics raised his head. with c jerk. stafnItz smiled scOnfuIly. He vas thinking that Lepage was not. after sH. a very resourceful fellow. Aa oath. Great heavens. Oaihs were ia the dzyis work when yOu pat your hand fo affairs Ike this. But here Ste nostcs uss wiser. and Lepage wa3 shrswder. ssafnItr gsnerzIired from an exu<wSeree rather one sfaed. The ctkerfwo knsw the special case Wien oxfhs wers msafioned-soleun oafhs- o-~ .~-~s~a z. :