Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-21

obvious n1ckname-wou.d accept the invita-
ton, and bv the time he reached Delgratz the
succession to the throne of kosnov1a would be
in fair way toward settlement. Moreover, by
depriving the Chantilly team of their crack
Number One, Alec would equalize matters for
the Wanderers, and the love of sport is ever the
ruling passion in healthy and vigorous youth.
by gadi" he said to himself I'm showing
craft already. That is Machiavellian wire!
1t was, as it happened, a stroke worthy of the
willy Florentine himself; but neither he nor his
latest pupil could possibly have estimated its
true bearing on events.
A FTER dinner Stampoff found him. Del
grade was astounded at first. Stampot,
shorn of his immense mustacheS, ceased to be
General. In fact, the wlzened, keen faced old
man bore striking resem bance to a certain
famous actor of the Coincide Francaise; but
he was not seated in Alecs compartment ten
seconds with the door closed ere he showed that
the loss of his warrior aspect had in no way
tanned his heart.
Yes he said, passing lean hand over his
blue-black upper lip, lit was necessary to dis
guise myself. Ten years not so long, and
am known on the Danube. You see, we must
get through to Delgratz and the SchwarZburg.
Once there, with three thousand bayonets be-
hind us, we can do things. Leave the fighting
to me, your"
He stopped, and glanced at fat Turk lum-
bering along the corridor.
Exactly, my dear old friend" said Alec.
Drop titles, please, until we have right to
use them Even then they can be left to gen
tlemen ushers and court chamberlalns. Alec
and Paul sound better, anyhow But you were
outlining a scheme. l go with you as far as
Delgratz; but those bayonets in the Schwarz-
burg will not be behind me, hope. Some of
them may come within measurable distance of
my manly chest; but even that is improbable,
for have always noticed that vulgar assassins
are towards.
Stampoff's bushy eyebrows had been spared.
and they now formed hairy seam straight
across eyes and nose. You forget, perhaps
you do not know, that these men alone have
actually declared for you-for belgrade" he
growled
And pretty gang of cutthroats they must
be! l read the details after leaving Paris.
That poor woman, Paul! She was pretty and
vivacious, have been told Just picture the
scene in the dining hall. One woman. three I'm
armed men, the King leaping up and endeavor-
ing to shield her-and the gallant Seventh
firing volleys at theml Then, when the last
sob is uttered, the last groan stilled, husband
and wife are pitched to the dogs: Oh, it makes
my blood boil! By the Lord! when l am King
will hang the whole crew."
He spoke very quietly. Anyone looking
through the window in the upper half of the
door would have seen a young seemingly
telling older one something OF ordinary I'M
port But the words were crisp and hot. They
came like drops of molten steel from the fur
mace of his heart.
CTAMPOFF'S thin face grew swarthier. He
~ bent forward, his hands on his knees. Twill
you tell me why you are going to Delgratz! he
asked, with curious huskiness in his voice.
Ito occupy throne-or tomb. In either
event, l am only copying the example of the
vast majority of my revered ancestors"
1.-The throne is yours by right. Theodore has
fallen almost precisely as your grandfather fell
Ferdinand was shot, and escaped with his life
only because there struggle and a few
faithful followers carried him into sat ETY.
eff l depended on the fealty of the Seventh
Regiment, 1 should not expect to find even the
faithful few. Poor Theodore may have looked
for them; but they did not exist"
Then we had better leave the train at
Chalons and return to Paris
Certainly, if the butchers of the Schwarz-
burg are to form my cohort."
Gods bones never have been mistaken
in a man! Your father, now,-one feared he
might have lost his nerve,-but you, Alec!
The deuce take it! thought better of you.
suppose then it will have to be Marulitch.''
IL Julus Is he canddate-or rival?"
Stampoff paused, irresolute. He was deeply
troubled, and his fierce eyes searched Del
grades face. Il had real hope of you," he
muttered. You would appeal to the women
and they are ever half the battle. Why you
SO saueamish? You needn't embrace the men
of the Seventh. You can use them. and kick
them aside. That is the fate of ladders that
lead to thrones. l know it. / am old enough
not to care.
Il am not thinking of ladders as yet, Paul.
II - Il ~