Gunnison news-champion., 1909-01-08


apsoog tsem Ola k.0ro Aopnam- I"
wk<sse kou.-. IN s.rosscEos square ! haA
DANCED Q score ~ timer. Thank heas-
-. the cd yuan was as bind ~ = cst
aud dsd no; ckaim my scauainsance.
Thea kock we went through the
stsessas te the palace. and ] heard them
chesssnG Elack Michael. but he. tr'ts
told me. sat biting his nails Ike . MAJ
" q rexeric. aud even his own friends
saiA shat he should have maoe . esav-
- shsw. was In a carriage nov. sstse
~ siSbe Wish the Princess Flavia- and
roHeh selSsw cried cut:
"A.d Whea's the wsAdsng" and -
- apoke another struck him In the
face. crying. "I.Dug live Duke Aichael'
and The princess cohored-it Was an "a
mirabse tiut-ana looked straight IN
front 0f her.
Nov I felt in . dinsculty. because
had forgotten To ask Sspt the state OF
my affections or how far matters had
gene between the princess and myself.
Frankly. had ! been the King the fur
tber they had gone the better should !
have been pleased. for I am not a SLOW
blos<led man. aud had not kissed
Princess ilavia's cheek for nothing.
These thoughts passed through my
head: but. not being sure OF my ground,
! said nothing. and in a moment or two
the princess. recovering her equanim-
ity. turned to me
do YOU know. Rudolf" said she,
''you look somehow different today"
The fact was not surprising, but the
remark was disquieting.
You look" she went on. more
sober. more sedate. You're almost
careworn. and I declare you're thin
ncr. surely it's not possible that
you've begun to take anything seri-
ously;"
The princess seemed % hold of the
king much the same opinion that Lady
Burlesdon held of me.
1 braced myself up 10 the conversa-
ton.
Would that please you?' I asked
softly.
''Oh. you know my views" said she.
turning her eyes away.
Whatever pleases you ! try to do"
I said. and as I saw her smile and
blush thought that l was playing the
kings hand very well for him. so
continued. and what l said was per
fectly true:
Il assure You. my dear cousin, that
nothing in my life has affected me
more than the reception I've been
greeted with today"
She smiled brightly. but in an In
slant grew grave again and whisper
ed
Did yon notice Michael?"
Yes" said L. adding. He wasn't
enjoying himself"
do he CAREFUL she went on. "You
don't-indeed you don't-keep enough
watch on him. You know
Il know" said I. that he wants
what I've got"
YES. Hush.''
Then. and I can't justify it. for I
committed the king far beyond what
] had right to dol suppose she car
ried me OF my feet-I went o..
"And. perhaps. also something which
haven't got yet. but hope TO win
some day"
This was m" answer-had I been the
king ! should have thought it encour-
aging:
Haven't yeu enough responsibilities
- you for one day. cousin?"
Bang. bang! Blare, biare! We were
at the palace. Guns were firing and
trumpets blowing. Rows Of lackeys
stood waiting. and, handing the prin.
cess up the broad marble staircase
took formal Possession as a crowned
king Of the house Of my ancestors and
sat down at my own table. with nv
cousin on my right hand. on her other
side Black Michael and on nv left nj.
cminence the cardinal. Behind nv
chair stool Sapt. and at the end Of tho
table l saw Fritz Won Tarlenheim drain
TO the bottom his glass Of champayne
rather sooner than he decently should.
l wondered what the king of Huri-
tania was doing.