Gunnison news-champion., 1908-12-25

'FraB, ssr. do you kneU cur king7"
here; from here he goes to Strclsau to
be crowned on "Wednesday morning"
1 was Interested to hear this and
made up my mind to walk next day in
the direction of the lodge on the chance
of coming across the King. The old
lady ran On garrulou.ly.
"Ah. and | wish he would stay at
his shooting that and wine land one
thing morei are all he loves. they say
and suffer our duke to be crowned ON
"Wednesday. That ! wish and l don't
care who knows it,"
Hush. mother.' urged the daugh-
ters.
''Oh. there's many folks to think as
I do" cried the old woman stubbornly.
threw myself back in my deep arm
chair and laughed at her zeal
For my part" said the younger and
prettier Of the two daughters. fair.
buxom. smiling wench. Il hate Black
Michael, A red Elphberg for me. moth
er. The king. they say, is as red AZ
fox or as
And she laughed mschievously as
she cast glance at me and tossed her
head at her sisters reproying face.
MANY man has cursed this red
hair before now," muttered the old
lady, and I remembered James, fifth
earl Of Burlesdon.
But never woman cried the girl
AYE, and w0Gaen. when II was too
late." was the stern answer. reducing
the girl to silence and bushes.
How Genes the king here?' asked.
20 break an embarrassed silence. 1T
is the dukes land here. you say
''The duke invited him. sir. to rest
here till Wednesday. The duke is ut
Strcslau preparing the kings recep-
ton
Then they're friendst'
None better said the old lady.
But my rosy damsel tossed her head
again. She was not to be repressed for
long, and she broke out again;
AYE, they love one another as men
do who want the same place and the
same wife,
The old woman glowered. but the
last words pricked my curiosity. and !
interposed before she could begin
scolding:
What, the same wife too, How's
that. young LADY,"
'All the world knows that Black Mi
chael-well, then, mother, the duke
would give his soul to marry his cou-
sin, the Princess Flavia. and that she
is to he the queen"
Upon my word" said /. Il begin to
Ike sorry for your duke. But II man
Will be a younger son. why. he must
take what the elder leaves and be as
thankful to God as ne can," and. think
ing of myself, | shrugged my shoulders
and laughed. And then thought also Of
Antoinetts de Mauban and her journey
to Strelsau
KS little dealing Black Michael has
mothers anger. but as She spoke a
heavy step sounded ON the floor and
gruff voice asked in a threatening tone:
Who talks Of Black Michael in his
highness' own burg?'
The girl gave little shrek. half Of
fright-haif, I think, of amusement.
You'll not tell of me, Johann" she
said
See where your chatter leads" said
the old lady.
The man who had spoken came for
ward.
We have company. Johann" said
my hostess, and the fellow plucked of
his cap. moment later he saw me.
and to my amazement he started back
a step, as though he had seen some
thing wonderful.
what ails you. Johann" asked the
elder girl. This is gentleman on his
travels. come to see the coronation"
The man had recovered himself. but
he was staring at me with an intense,
searching. almost fierce glance
Csocd evening TO you" said I.
Good evening. sir" he muttered
still scrutinizing me. and the merry
girl beean TO laugh as she called: I.
See. Johann. il Is the color you love,
He started to see your hair. SIR. les
~ the color ne Sc most q here n
2eoAa-"
Il cfa~s your pardon. sir" stamnef-
a De fellow. With puxsIed eyes