The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-09-23

The princess waited. and In que ume
the boy appeared at the door IN MS
best suit, kissing his mother goodDy'
Then he came out to the coach and
to the surprise and CONSERVATION OF the
lackeys. opened the door. entered and
sat down beside the princess. They
were still more amazed at her sunering
him to do so without a word. Then
the two were driven to the palace
When the coach drew up in the court
yard the king was looking out to catch
a glimpse Of his future Son-in-law and
successor. Rudolf alighted and handed
out the princess.
Surely" said the king, ''the boy has
descended from a line OF sovereigns.
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 l asked him."
Rudolf put out his hand to the king
as II he were his majesty's equal. Cas-
par was about to draw back with king
ly dignity when it 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 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 rapier
by his side. his manly beauty struck
| every one who saw him. All wonder
Instead Of going about gaping at ev-
erything he saw he seemed surprised at
nothing A courtier asked him how he
felt. coming from a farm to palace.
How do feel? ! feel-somehow I
feel-as II 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. II 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 Rudolf
veins, certain 1t is that the young man
became dominant factor at 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 despised conven
tionality, and when he erred through
want Of training he was able to
give the appearance Of one who knew
better, but would not take the trouble
to do better. The king gave him bis
, choice Of preferments, expecting thai
he would choose the profession mos
in favor with young men of the time
arms. But Rudolf asked to be edu
Gated for a diplomat. whereupon thu
. king sent him as an attendant on nj
embassy to q neighboring government
to conclude treaty. When the embass,
returned Rudolf had concluded til,
treaty. while the ambassador, who hat
been Outwitted. returned in disgrace.
The rise Of the clodhopper wa
rapid. the king having to bestow upol
him one rank after another to keel
pace with his personal '.'Iuirements
From the lowest grade of noble b.
filed every grade to that of duke. TIL
, king, not being yet ready to acknowl
). edge his royal blood, could not max
, him prince, but 1t was rumored tina
some further elevation was In stor
for him.
One day King Caspar fell Ill. 1t wa
understood that his malady was seri
a GUS. and the council had misgivings a
to the succession. The Princess Xeni
q was but eighteen years old, and it wa
y rumored that Duke Rudolf would o.
the kings death seize the government
= The real danger was concealed. A neigh
J. boring sovereign. Ohio. intrigued wit
certain disloyal Apulians upon tn
). death Of the king to annex their cour
o try to his kingdom.
O The kings illness grew upon him S
o rapidly that he had no time to arrang
q for the succession. He died suddenl
t and King Otho's adherents attempte
d to seize the government. Duke Rudol
4 had been apprised Of the intention ant
l. putting himself at the head Of the Apt
Ian troops. nipped the instruction |
n the bud. 1t was supposed by man
e. that. having an army to support hin
v he would seize government heade
n by a weak girl and make himself kin,
l. When quiet was restored and the col
# queror rode TO the palace. the princess
IS attendants. hearing that he was con
y ing and fearing that he would max
a himself king. advised her to oscar
r while there was yet time. Instead 81
went out to the main entrance an
ID stood on the stone balcony. Rudo
rode up. dismounted and ran up Ii
VI steps. greeting Xenia as queen.
Long live the queenr'
IN Xenia threw her arms around hip
IS then. turning to the people. cried:
Long live the kingr