Evening star., 1909-06-13

bagie attended have the very worst feet in
all Germany-and suppose Germany has the
worst feet in the world.
The Margrave seized chair. and Henry Sc
cured beside him, When the King was
seated Henry quickly slipped into his chair
but two men tried to appropriate the Mar
graves. notwithstanding that worthy poten-
tate's desperate effort to cling to it One en-
terpriSing Tabagian with cuckoo tendencies
went SO far to crowd in front of Adolph and
was about to sit in friends chair: but the
MargrAve drew the chair back from the table,
and the cuckoo sat on the floor Adolph. after
his enemy's fall hurriedly occupied the chair.
The fallen member to his feet. remained
for moment at the table. glared ferceiy at
Adolph. and stepped back to the wall. where he
stood in wrath among the unseated The Mar
grave drew his chair to the table beside Fritz
Henry. and said
Now I'll drink your beer may get very
drunk; but IL do you this favor if die for it
.'' You re always ready to do anyone Il favor,
Margrave." responded Henry Your heart IS
as kind as your wit is keen
- thank YOU my friendi' said Adolph. seiz-
ing Henrys hand and giving it friendly
squeeze under the table II Do you know that
is the first disinterested kind word have ever
had from anyone except my mother and the
Princessl" Adolph's great face shone with the
luster of JOY and one of the gentleSt tenderest
hearts in all the world was OVERLOOKING
Henry was rapidly learning to love the Mar
grave though the good fellows groteSqueness
of face, figure, and mind. and his propensity
to drink beer all mitigated against respect.
making Adolph more to be laughed at than re-
vered
HENRY was about to speak. when the King
cane came down the table with a ter
rife bang. and all general conversation ceased
until he should see fit to set 1T going. Until the
Tabagians had become drunk. conversation
was directed to and by the King. but when the
honorable body had swallowed sufficient guam
tlty of beer to loosen the tongues OF the men,
bers. pandemonium set in. and every man
talked till he was hoarse, or till he could talk no
more. Members often slept the night through
in their chairs or under the table, and the KING
frequently required help to get to his apart
InentS
When his Majesty began to smoke, pipes and
tobacco came down the line. and for a quarter
of an hour the Tabagians sat in silence as IT
trying to get up steam The Crown Prince sat
at his fathers left sullenly doing his best to
smoke the intolerably strong tobacco used by
the King and his friends Grumkow sat on his
Maesty's right and Field Marshal Seckendorf
sat next to Prince Fritz The Margrave and
Henry sat modestly at the foot of the table.
facing the King.
A silence which for some reason seemed orni-
nous to Henry. ensued during the smoking Of
the first pipe The long whispered converse
ton that had taken place between the King.
Grumkow and Seckendorf seemed IN some
mysterious way to have ooZed into the silence.
ana Cne smoke IndL Hllel the TOOH SttIIlcu "
float in threatening clouds laden with impend
ing trouble The affair of the night before.
when Henry and Fritz were returning from
Rtters and the Crown Prince spoke of the
happiness that would >ensue from his father
death. constantly intruded itself on Henrys
thoughts The whispered consultation. the
omnous silence. the Kings determination
earlier in the evening to have the Crown Prince
present at The Tabagie the events of the night
before all pointed to serious trouble for the poor
little Prince If the trouble should prove to be
the outgrowth of the encounter on the way
home from Ritter's. Henry might be involved
in the storm to come.
THE King smoked his first pipe. and when it
was finished called in thunderous tones.
: Tobacco His pipe was reflled. Then he
putfed violently for moment or two. and
finally said in rasping cultural tones:
:" General Grumkow has a matter to lay be-
fore The Tabagie"
Grumkow rose to his feet hung his head for
d moment as if in prayer. and said in slowly
spoken measured words coming from heart
of grief. Your Majesty and gentlemen of
The Tabagie, it is my painful duty to make
charge of treason against the Crown Prince of
Prussiaf
Stand up" cried the King addressing his
son and striking the table with his cane.
Fritz rose. and Grumkow continued
Last night. his Royal Highness. after spend
ing the evening IN revel and debauch with dis
reputable associates in the city. returning
to the palace accompanied by unknown man.
True and trusted agents of his Majesty fol