The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1915-09-24

Il will go with you. but must tell
my Mother
| The princess waited. and in due time
the boy appeared at the door In his
best suit. kissing his mother goodby.
| Then he came out to the coach and.
10 the surprise and CONSERVATION of the
lackeys. opened the door. entered and
sat down beside the princess. They
were still more amazed ut her suffering
him to do so without word Then
the two We're driven to the palace.
When the coach drew up in the court
yard the king was looking out to catch
glimpse of his future son-in-law and
successor. Rudolf alighted and handed
out the princess.
Surely" said the king. 1.-THE boy has
| descended from line of soveregns.
There Is something In his bearing, In
the grace Of his motions. that indicates
his lineage"
The young couple entered the palace,
and Xenia, smiling, led the youth to
his father, saying:
II asked him to come with me, papa,
and he came because asked him."
Rudolf put out his hand to the king
as If he were his majesty's equal Cas-.
| par was about to draw back with king
ly dignity when 1t occurred to him that
since the young man was the legitimate
sovereign, while he himself was a sub.
| ject, the plan he had in view would be
better served by humoring him, and
he took the proffered hand.
81 dare say, your majesty" said Ru.
dolf, that you are good king since
your daughter is such a lovely prin.
cess"
The king called his chamberlain and
directed him to take the young man to
the apartments that had been prepared
for him and to see that he was attired
In court costume. When Rudolf stepped
forth in velvet and lace. with a rapier
by his side, his manly beauty struck
every one who saw him. All wonder.
ed that he seemed so much at home.
Instead Of going about gaping at ev-
erything he saw he seemed surprised at
nothing. A courter asked him how he
felt, coming from a farm to palace.
How do feel? feel-somehow
feel-as if I were the king"
A chill ran through those who heard
the reply, and he who had asked the
question whispered to companion:
"Let his majesty beware. If mis-.
take not this clodhopper has in him
the elements Of which kings are made
and some day with that princely stride
Of his will walk to the throne and sit
upon it,
Whether it was because the young
mans bearing suited King Caspars
purpose or that an Inheritance of king
ly attributes coursed through Rudolfs
veins. certain it Is that the young man
became IL dominant factor ut court.
1t is not to be supposed that any
man could step from cabbage raising
to attendance upon royalty without in
the beginning committing many blum.
ders. But Rudolf soon acquired the
reputation OF one who dpsp!sed conven.
tionality. and when he erred through
want of training he was able to
give the appearance of one who knew
TO do better. The king gave him his
choice Of preferments, expecting that
he would choose the profession most
in favor with young men Of the time
arms. But Rudolf asked to be edu-
Gated for diplomat. whereupon the
king sent him as an attendant on an
embassy to a neighboring government
to conclude treaty. When the embassy
returned Rudolf had concluded the
treaty. while the ambassador, who had
been outwitted. returned in disgrace.
The rise Of the clodhopper was
rapid. the king having to bestow upon
him one rank after another to keep
pace with his personal requirements.
From the lowest grade of noble he
king, not being yet ready to acknowl-
edge his royal blood. could not make
him prince, but it was rumored that
some further elevation was in store
for him.
One day King Caspar fell ill., 1t was
understood that his malady was seri-
Gus, and the council had misgivings as
4
was but eighteen years old. and it was
rumored that Duke Rudolf would on
the kings death seize the government.
The real danger was concealed. A neigh
boring sovereign. Otho. intrigued with
certain disloyal Apulians upon the
death of the king to annex their coun-
try to his kingdom.
The kings illness grew upon him so
rapidly that he bad no time to arrange
for the succession. lie died suddenly
and King Otho's adhercnts attempted
to seize the government. Duke Rudolf
had been appraised OF the intention and.
putting himself Mt the head of the Apu-
liam troops, nipped the instruction In
the bud. 1t was supposed by many
that. having an army to support him.
he would seize u government headed
by weak girl and make himself king.
When quiet was restored and the con-
queror rode to the palace. the princess
attendants hearing that he was COM
ing and fearing that he would make