The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-10-02

my mother"
The princess waited. and in due time
the boy appeared at the door in bis
best suit. kissing his mother goodby.
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 suffering
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 9on-in-law and
successor. Rudolf alighted and handed
out the princess.
Surely" said the king. 1.-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:
IL asked him to come with me. papa.
and he came because l 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
~ dignity when it occurred to him that
since the young man was the legitimate
sovereign. while he himself was sub
ject, the plan he had In view would be
better served by humoring him. and
he took the proffered hand.
Il 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
ed that he seemed so much at home.
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 Il palace.
How do I feel? feel-somehow I
feel-as If 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 1t was because the young
mans bearing suited King Caspar's
purpose or that an Inheritance Of king.
ly attributes coursed through Rudolf
veins. certain 1t is that the young mar
became dominant factor at court
It 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 his
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 diplomat. whereupon the
king sent him as an attendant on AZ
embassy to a neighboring government
to conclude treaty. When the embassy
returned Rudolf had concluded thu
treaty. while the ambassador. who hai
been outwitted, returned in disgrace.
The rise Of the clodhopper wa.
rapid. the king having to bestow upoI
him one rank after another to keel
pace with his personal requirements
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 i'll. 1t wa.
understood that his malady was seri
Gus, and the council had misgivings a.
to the succession. The Princess Xeni.
was but eighteen years old. and it wa.
rumored that Duke Rudolf would OF
the kings death seize the government
The real danger was concealed. A neigh
boring sovereign. Ohio, intrigued witt
certain disloyal Apulians upon tn,
death Of the king to annex their coun
try to his kingdom.
The kings illness grew upon him 81
rapidly that he had no time to arrang,
for the succession. He died suddenly
and King Otho's adherents ATTEMPTED
i to seize the government. Duke Rudol
had been apprised of the intention and
putting himself at the head Of the Apu
liam troops, nipped the instruction IL
the bud. 1t was supposed by many
that. having an army to support him
he would seize a 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 max,
himself king. advised her to escap,
while there was yet time Instead sh,
went out to the main entrance ana
stood on the stone balcony. Rudolf
rode up. dismounted and ran up tn,
steps. greeting Xenia as queen.
Long live the queenr'
| Xenia threw her arms around him
then. turning to the people. cried: