The Washington times., 1909-11-15

second of utter stiffness; to the end of
time that sudden pan was spoken OF
with bated breath and IN awe
Then from che distant castle came the
sound Of shouts, crawling up the long
line of spectators for the full length OF
me avenue to the eager thrOng IN Re-
gengetZ Circus, swelling and growing
louder as the news came that the prince
had ridden forth from the gates Necks
were Craned. rapt eyes peered down the
Uree-topped boulevard, glad voices cried
out tdings TO those in the background.
The prince was coming.
BOnny, adorable Prince RObini
Down the broad avenue came tFe
Royal Military Band, heading the bril-
liant procession. Banners were flying;
god and silver standards cleaned in
the van Of the noble CaValCade, brill
Hantly uniformed CuiTasSier5 and dra-
goons on gayly caparisoned horses
formed a gilded phalanX that filed the
distant end of the street, slowly creep
ing down upon the waiting thousands,
drawing nearer and nearer to the spot
Of doom.
A stately, noble, inspiring procession
it was that swept toward the plaza.
The love of the people for their little
prince welled up and overlooked in
great waves of reclamation. Pomp and
display, gold and fine raiment We're but
the creation of man; Prince Robin was,
To them. the choicest creation of God.
He was their prince.
On came the splendid phalanX of
guaTdsmen, followed by rigid infantry
men in measured tread: the Gathering
Of horses hOOfS. the beat of drums, the
ClankIng of sCabbards and the 1angling
of royal banners, rising even above the
of gold, with it's half score of horses
rolled sOmberfy beneath natures canopy
of green, surrounded on all sides by
proud members of the royal guard
Word came down the line that the
prince sat alone in the rear seat of the
great coach, facing the prime minister
and Countess HalfOnt. Two carriages
from the royal stables preceded the
princes coach. In the first was the
Duke of Perse and three fellow mem
bers Of the cabinet; the second con-
tanned Baron Dangloss and General
BraZe. After the prince came a score
or more OF rich equipages filed with
the beauty, the nobility the splendor
or this rich little court
The curtains in a house at the corner
Of the square parted gently. A hawk
faced old man peered out upon the JOY
Gus crowd. His black eyes swept the
scene. grim smile crept into his face.
He dropped the curtains and walked
away from the window, tossing a Gig
arctic into q CRATE on the opposite side
OF the room. Then he locked at his
watch.
An Of the bands in the square had
| ceased playing when the castle gates
were opened for the royal procession:
OILY the distant, rhythmic beat OF a
lively march came up from the avenue
to the ears Of this baleful old man in
the second story front room Of the
home of Apothecary Boltz,
At the extreme outer side Of Regen-
getz Circus small group OF men and
women stood, White-faced and lmmov-
able, steadfastIy holding a position in
the front rank OF spectators. Shrink
ing back among this determined coterie
was the slender shuddering figure Of
Olga Platanova, haggard-faced, but
with the light Of desperation in her
eyes.
! companions Of this 'wretched girl skunk
away from her side, losing themselves
in the crowd. leaving her to do her
work while they sought distant spots
! of safety. Olga Platanova, her arms
/ folded beneath the long. red cloak she
wore, remained where they had placed
her and-Waitedf
I The Continuation of This story VIII
BE Found in TOmOrrOyy'a
Issue OF The Times.