Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-12-15

lie model OF L sentry ID - wooden soldier.
a really good sentry does not sneeze or
cough on duty. Did any ono ever see n sem
try. for instance, wipe his nose? or twirl
his thumbs? Or buy "a newspaper? Ger
tainy not
Therefore. the two scntres mado no sign
when they saw Ferdinand william Otto ap-
preaching. But one Of them forgot to bring
his mustet TO salute He crossed himself
instead. And something strained around the
other scntry's lower jaw suddenly relaxed
into smile His Royal Iiighness drew
a hand from its refuge and saluted. He
glanced first at one, then at the other, rather
sheepishy, hesitated between them. capped
his hat OH more securely and marched in.
Tho young rascal" said the second SON
try TO himself And by turning his head
slightly-2fOr Il sentry learns to all
around like horse, without twisting his
neck--hc watched tho runaway into tho
palace
Prince Ferdinand William Otto went up
the stone staircase Here and there he passed
guards who stared and saluted. Had no not
been obscssed with the vision of Miss Braith-
waite no would have known that relief fol-
lowed in his wake. Messengers clattered
down tho staircase TO the courtyard. Other
messengers. breathless and eager, few to
that lighted wig where the Council sat, and
where the old King, propped up In bed.
waited and fought terror.
Tho Archduchess Annunciata was with her
father. Across tho corridor tho Council de-
bated in low tones
Tell mo again." said tho King. How in
Gods name could It have happened? In day
light. and with all Of you there!'
Il have told you all know" said tho
Archduchess, impatienty "One moment he
was there. Hedwig and ho making
gestures, and I reproved him. Tho next he
was gone. Hedwig saw him get up ana go
out, She thought"
| .'Send for Hedwig."
''She has retired. She was devoted to him
I and
"send for her." said the King shortly.
The Archduchess Annunicata went out The
| old King lay back and his eyes, weary with
many years of ruling, Of disappointments
and bitterness. roved the room. They camo
| to rest at last on the photograph of a young
| man, which stood on his bedside table.
lie was a very young man, in a uniform.
| He was boysh, and smiling. There was n
dog beside him. and its head was on his
| knee. Wherever one stood in the room. the
| eyes of tho photograph gazed at one. The
| King knew this and because he WAS quite old
| and because there were few persons TO whom
| a king dares TO speak his inmost thoughts
he, frequently spoke to the photograph.
| The older he grew. the more he felt. some
| times. as though IL knew what he said. He
| had begun to think that death, after all, is
not the end, but only the beginning OF things
| This rather worried him, too, at times. Wha,
he wanted was to lay things down. not &c
| tako them up.
| "If they've got him." he said TO the pic
ture. 'it Is out Of my hands and into yours
| my boy"
Quite suddenly the door opened. The OLD
| man turned his head. Just inside stood Q
| very dirty small boy.
The Crown Prince Ferdinand William OttC
was most terribly frightened Everything
| was at skies and sevens. Miss Braithwaitt
had been crying her head off, and on seeing
him had fallen I'm faint. Not that ht
| thought II was real faint. He had unmis
takably seen her eyelids CULVER And wher
| she came to she had ordered him no supper
and four pages of German translation. and
| to bed at seven o'clock instead Of seven
thirty for a week. All the time crying. too
| And then she had sent him to his grand
father, and taken aromatic ammonia
His grandfather said nothing. but looked
at him.
.'Here-here I am. sir" said the Grown
Prince from the door.
The King drew aSong breath. But tn,
silence persisted Prince Ferdinand william
Otto furtively rubbed dusty shoe agains
the back of a trousers leg.
'Tm afraid I'm not very neat, SIR" sais
] Prince Ferdinand William Otto. and took