Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-03-26

pleJuuieioi W inc interests Of AI.r,-.
why her union with Prime ns
should not take place. "''s
Meanwhile the crown prince 49,
tempting to force himself on n. -
tfce Of his betrothed, but - NJ
chagrin she gave every eyidanes as
ne was distasteful to her. He sbssss
Paul, who. his position being h~.s sa
to him, asked to be relieved Ana s.
back to Barataria. His reoue,t -
granted only too willingly, but 90
he announced his withdrawal yrrse
nina persuaded her father "a
that such an act would be con.,s.-"s
an insult and unless he remainss =
carry out the purpose for wbIcs y
had been sent the betrothal wonIa =
annulled.
There was nothing for Prince Pcs.
to do but order his cousin to await, 49,
return Of the embassy from Psr,...s-
1t arrived soon after the proposed 4.
parture of Prince Paul, and Pross.s-.
Markham reported directly N =.
king, with whom he was cIosetad =.
long period. The Princess WIlh.s
nina was called into the Confer
When she came out her face r.,
aglow with a happy excitement
1t was known that the additions,
guarantees asked for had been grant,
by the king Of Barataria, but no NOV.
was made for the departure of N.
princess. Another embassy was m.
patched to King Carl, but ia obia..
was n secret During its absence rs.
people of Altruria noticed innor.,n,
movements Of troops to the froutIe,
AS soon az the embassy returned nil.
tary supplies were hurried In larg.
quantities to depots near the border
One morning when Prince Boris va,
about to leave his apartment he found
a sentry at his door. He inveiehed
against the indignity, but it availed
nothing. All the suit except Prince
Paul found themselves In q Ike most.
ton. Paul received a command IN
wait upon the king in his cabinet On
his arrival the king addressed him.
IT have some information with ref.
erence to your majesty
"Majesty?'
Yes, majesty. My former minister.
Professor Marxman, on his first visit to
Barataria unearthed a conspirscy
which took place when you were an
infant. Your father was king Of Bar
ataria and died shortly before you Ters
born, your mother dying at your birth
Your uncle concealed the fact thatyour
father had left an heir and brought
you up as the son Of younger brother.
Recent acts Of the usurper, Carl.
have led me TO prefer that the rightful
heir should WELD the scepter Of Bara-
taria. I have revealed the conspiracy
that made your uncle king. The peo-
pie of Barataria have risen and de-
posed Carl, and they have proclaimed
you their sovereign. I am prepared
to support your claims with troops
but so unanimous is the desire Of your
people to have you for their king that +
no support is needed"
Paul stood thunderstruck.
"How was all this discovered" be
asked as soon as he regained speech
when Markham went to Barataria f
he secretly sought information concern
ing the affairs of the kingdom. Ger
tain of the conspirators who had helF
ed to place your uncle on the throns
and had of late not received as much
preferment as they coveted gave MARI
man a clew by which he learned the
whole plot"
1t was some time before Paul eoua Z
be convinced that he should return %
Barataria as king. He was decided og
the arrival of a deputation Of the no
bles of Barataria. who knelt pelGH
him as their sovereign and begged hin
to return and assume the reins OF gov
eminent, representing that II ne
fused anarchy would ensue. BEFORE
set out on his journey King Ludse
asked for his wishes concerning @
embassy he had headed. n
Gree them and assure my cousia
that I have had nothing to 90 WIZ
this great change" N
Are there any other matters n
which you wish to consult me pelV'
your departure?'
81 wish only TO say that sinceIe9
trust that the two kingdoms we iSN
shall be always friendly" -
''The best way TO do that fepns
Ludwig. sis by marriage. / oner ~
the hand OF my oldest daughter ~
degarde. the princess royal N
The prince paused before repg.T
.If 1 am to be allied to your famD!
see no better way than to carry ~
the contract made between my co"'~
and the Princess Wilhelmina.
.If you are satisfied. be IL So. II.
The young king went stralgu.
from her fathers eaU,D
She congratulated him on justice y.
Ing been done him with do"H'
eyes.
"Your father" he said, mas Ia
me happy by transferring 10 ns
contract made with my cousin. -
Perhaps" she faltered. stiii iO0A
on the door, you would prefer
other." -
"Your father offered me the prine
royal. told him that ! wouio pi
1 simple princess" .nsE
She raised her eyes TO his. anu
,prang into each others arms.