The Ordway new era., 1909-07-23

iprs of Flora. A gilt chandelier
diffused light through the apartment
and at one side was pair OF large
folding doors,
After a long walt. gentleman. MT
Dlsby, appeared. He received us po
lltely. but said II was impossible to dis
turb the prince then as he was Just slt
ting down to piquet. Sir Peter re
mained silent: he was used to giVlns
orders. and the words. 1T is Impossible
to see his royal higness," were pc
culiarly disaEreeable to him.
then made my plea. | told MT
Dirbv that the life of n gallant officer
and gentleman was in jeopardy. and
that we begged to see his royal high
ness in the hope that the king might
be approached
That. too. is impossible" coldly re-
piled Mr.. Digby. The king is far from
we'll"
Just then some one on the other side
OF the folding doors opened one OF
them the least bit In the world. and
then closed it-but not before we had
seen streams OF light pouring from It.
a long table brilliant with plate and
ornaments. and n company OF about
90 gentlemen sitting around 1t. and
at one end sat a parsonage whom We
at once recognized as the prince OF
Wales.
Without word Sir Peter arose. and
darling toward the doOr-for he was
ever an agile man-threw It open, and
walked into the presence OF his royal
hiGhn"ss.
sir" said he. marching up to the
prince. Il am Admiral Sir Peter Hawk
shaw. and | have boarded you. so 10
speak. sir. in order To save the life OF
one Of the gallanrcst officers in the
snrvic" OF his majesty
had always heard that his royal
highncss was gentleman, and saw
then such an exhibition Of readiness
and good taste as never saw before
and never expect to So" again. Ever!
one at the table. except the prince
seemed astUundod At the sudden en.
trance and stating address of a short,
active little man in an adm!rals uni.
form. But the prince offered Sir Peter
his hrnd In the coolest manner in tn"
world. saying:
Most happy to meet you. Sir Peter.
rccu'Icct well that you carried the
lndnmptnhlc by huurlIuE very success
fully But how did YOU get past the
watchdugs ar the door. my dear sir
ny carrying sail hard. your royal
4 i L. "a
seeing this door open. faith. said |. 10
myself. having rlskod my skin thcs-
30 years for the king and his success.
sors. sure. | can risk It once more BY
walking in on my prince. and here
am. sir. ready to state my case. That
bloody popinjay. Dighy lDiGby was
right behind himI. wanted me to let
you alone because you were about to
go to piQuet. but ! think no prince Of
England would sacrifice a mans life to
a game OF piquet."
Certainly not. Sir Peter" answered
his royal hIghness, rising. and now
have an hour entirely Al your ser.
vice
Sir" said Sir Peter. '1 ask the
honor Of shaking hands with you. not
as a royal prince. but as an honest
man and good fellow
| think the prince was ever suscep.
tible to honest praise. for he was no
TOOL. and he was undoubtedly pleased
when Sir Peter wrunG his hand He
then led the way into another room.
and the door was closed.
The rest of the party behaved very
civilly to me. and accepted thankful
ly an invitation TO have something 10
eat and drink. They were mercIfuI to
me. seeing my distress OF mind. and
resumed their conversation with one
another.
(TO BE COSTINCEDl