Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-12-15
THE CROWN PRINCE RUNS AWAY

princely. but tho royal legs uiu not quite
reach tho floor from tho hiSh crifnsonNelNct
seat OF his chair.
Prince Ferdinand William Otto was bored.
Ills royal robes consisting Of n pair OF blue
serge trousers, a short Eton jacket anu
stiT rolling collar of white linen, irked him.
He had been brought to tho opera House
under "a misapprehension. His aunt, the
Archduchess Annunciata, had strongly advo.
Gated ''The Flying Dutchman." and his Eng.
. lsh governess. Miss Braithwaito. had read
him some inspiring literature about It. so
here no was. and the Flying Dutchman was
not ghostly at all. nor did 1t fly. 1t ~as
from tho royal box. only too plainly snip
which had length and height, without Thick
ness And instead Of flying after dreary
cons of singing, II was moved on on crcahy
rollers by men whose shadows Wero thro"h
grotesquely on the sea backing
Tho orchestra assisted by bass solo and
Intermittent thunder In the wings. was max
ing a deafening din. one of the shadows on
tho sea backing took out ~ handkerchief and
wiped its nose.
Prince Ferdinand William otto looked
across at the other royal box, and caught ms
Cousin Hedwig's eye. She also had seen inc
handkerchief: she took out her own scrap or
linen, and mmicked tho shadow Iheli, iier
Royal Hghness tho Archduches3 Annunciata
being occupied with the storm. she ~inked
across at Prince Ferdinand William otto.
In the opposite box were his two cousins.
the Princesses Hedwig and Hilda, attended
OF the Court becomes seventeen, she drops
governesses and takes to ladies III waiting.
Hedwig was eighteen. The crown Prince
kked Hedwig better than iIilda. Although
4he had been introduced formally 10 the
Court at tho Christmas eve ball, and had
been duly presented by her grandfather. the
King with the usual string of pearls and her
own carriage with tho spokes or tho "heeis
s.ilded halfway-only the King and Prince
Ferdinand William Otto had all.gold wheels
she stil rau off now and then to have tea
with the Crown Prince and Miss Brathwaitu
IN the schoolroom at the Palace and she
could eat a great deal of bread and butter
Prince Ferdinand William otts winled
back at the Princess Hedwig. And just then
Listen, Otto" said the .Archduches, lean
ing forward ''Tho Spinning Seng'--iS 1t not
exquisite?'
They arc only pretending TO spn,' re-
marked Prince Ferdinand William Otto.
Nevertheless he listened obediently. lie
rather liked it. They had not fooled him at
all. They were not really spinning-ary one
could see that--but they ~ero sticking Very
closely 70 their business Of each outslnging
the other. and collectively Of drowning out
tho orchestra.
Tho spinning chorus was followed by long
and tiresomo solos. Tho crown Princc
yawned again, although it was but the middle
OF the afternoon. Catching 1Iedwlg's eye, h'
ran his fingers up through his thick hair and
grinned. Hedwig blushed. Sho had couldeu
TO him once while they wero walking in the
garden at the summer palace, that she Wls
thinking of being In love with a young lieu
tenant who was attached to the King suite
The Prince--who was called otto, Tor short
by the family. because he actually had clever
names-thc Prince had been much Interested
For some time utterward hc had bothered
Miss Braithwaito to define being in love, bu
he had has really satisfactory answer.
In pursuance of his quest for information
he had grown quite friendly with the yount
officer, whose name was Larisch, and ha,
finally asked TO have him ride with him at tn,
royal riding school The grim old kini
had granted the request. but It had beef
quite frutless far after all Lieutenan
I.arisch only, grew quite red to tho car
when love mentioned, although he ap
peared not unwilling to hear liedwis's name
Tho Crown Prince had developed u stroni
liking for the young officer. lilo assure
1redwig one smc when she camo to tea tina
when he was king lie would that sh
married the lieutenant But liedwis wa
much distressed
II don't want him that way" she salt
Anyhow. l shall probably have to MARI
some wretch with that stick out and
had temper. I dare say he's selected al
ready. As to Lieutenant Larisch. I'm sur
he's in love with Hilda. You should see til
way he stares at her.
''Pisl" said Prince Ferdinand Wiliaf
/ Otto over his cup. 'Iiilda is not as prett
as you are. And Milky and 1 talked ubou
/ you frequently"
'Nkky' was tho officer Tho Crow
Prince was very informal with tho peopl
he liked
Good gracious"' exclaimed tho Princes
lGedwig, cooriAg. And what do you say%
Miss Braithwaito having left the room
Prince Ferdinand William Otto took anoth,
/ iImp OF sugar. "Say? Oh. NOT much ,,,
know lie asks how YOU are and I tell hi,
you are well, and that you ato thirteen piece
/ of bread at tea, or Whatever n n1ov b.,
been Tho day Miss Braithwaite had N
/ toothachc and you and 7 ate tho fruit cal
her sister had sent from England. lie va
be in"
Tho Princess Iedwie had been b,usbln
Il uncomfortable but now sho nailed "E
/ dared to say that" sho stormeJ' .Il
l dared l,' And she had nicl,eJ mn hcr M,
i and gone out i'm a fine tsmner
l CnIy--and this ,ra. curinus h,, +b, ma,
/ dav sho had forgiven thc iisu,ersnt az
i was angry ot EerJinand xviiIin',, n,t
/ W,oren are very s,ranrc
So now EerdipanJ X;I,iar, ot,o ro, II
IL fingers through his fair hair which wa