The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1908-12-18

natural features are re- CT.
fiected In the character of the inhab-
itants. The men who count volseni a
local capital are harder than the men
, of Slavna, less given TO luxury, less ad-
dicted to quarrels and riots. but consid-
erably more formidable opponents IL
once they take up arms. For this req
son no less than on account OF their
devotion to him the prince did well to
choose this country as the recruiting
ground for his new force of gunners.
The prince had been at Praslok for
week when sophy set out to join him
there. At the last moment Zerkovitch
decided TO remain In Slavna. at least
until the court made its promised move
to Dobrava. Reassuring as DIR. Nat
chef was. II would do no harm to have
friendly pair of eyes and ears in the
capital SO long as the king remained IN
residence. Thus the two ladies' were
accompanied only by Peter vassip,
whom the prince had sent 20 escort
them. They set out In heavy travel
ing carriage at 10 In the morning, reck-
oning TO reach the castle before even
ing fell. Their progress would never
be rapid and for the last FIVE miles cx-
ceedingly slow. They left the capital
In complete tranquility. and when So
ply settled her bill ut the sign OF the
Silver Cock and babe farewell TO old
Meyerstein. her landlord he expressed
the hope that she would soon be back.
though. indeed. his poor house was. he
feared. no fit quarters for the Baroness
Dobrava.
IL don't know whether shall come
back here. but can never forget your
house. shall always love II In my
memory" said sophy.
Max Won Hollbrandt had obtained
leave OF absence from his legation and
had accompanied the prince to Pras
lok. The two were friends. having
many tastes In common and. not least.
the taste for soldering. Besides hav-
ing the pleasure OF his company the
prince looked 10 obtain valuable aid
from Max in the task on which he was
engaged. The young German was
amused and delighted with his expedi-
ton. Praslok Is a primitive old place.
II stands on an abrupt mound or knob
OF ground by the roadside. So steep
and sudden Is the ascent that II was
necessary 60 build n massive causeway
OF wood-an inclined plane-to lead up
from the road 20 the gate OF the square
tower which forms the front OF the
building The eauseway has crosshnrs
at short intervals 10 give foothold 20
the horses which in old days were
stabbed within the walls. Recently.
however. modern stables had been built
on the other side OF the road, and II
had become the custom TO mount the
causeway and enter the castle on foot.
Within. the arrangements were
quaint and very simple. Besides the
tower already mentioned. which con
tained the dining room and two bed.
rooms above II. the whole building.
strictly conditioned by the shape OF the
hill on which II stood, consisted Of
three rows Of small rooms on the
ground door In one row lived the
prince and his male guests. In the sec
ond the servants. IN the third the
guard. The ladies' were 90 be accom-
modated in the tower above the dining
room. The rows OF rooms opened on n
covered walk. or cloister. which ran
round the inner court OF the castle. The
whole was solidly built Of gray stone
a busincssIIke old hill fortress. strong
by reason OF Its massive masonry and
OF the position in which II stood. Con
sidered as a modern residence II Ind 20
be treated humorously. so Max declar-
ed. and found much pleasure In II from
that point OF view. The prince. always
Indifferent to physical comfort and ever
averse from luxury, probably did not
realize how much his ancestral strong
hold demanded OF his guests indul-
gence. Old vassip, Peters father. was
major domo-always In his sheepskin
coat and high boots. His old wife was
cook. Half dozen servants completed
the establishment. and OF these three
were grooms. The horses. In fact.
seemed TO Max the only creatures
whose comfort were at all on a modern
footing. But the prince was entirely
satisfied and never so happy anywhere
as at Praslok. lie loved the simple.
hardy life He loved even more. though
perhaps less consciously. the sense OF
being among friends. He would not
yield an inch TO court popularity IN
Slayna. but his heart went out 10 meet
the unsought devotion OF Volscnl the
mountain town, and Its surrounding
villages. Distant and self restrained In
slayna, here he was open. gay and full
OF an almost boylsh ardor.
"It's worth coming here Just TO sce
Its effect on you" Max told him rs the
two rode back together from volseni
on the day OF sophy's arrival. They
had been at work, and the recruiting
promised well.
CONTINUED In Next Issue)