River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1918-04-18
| Milky, he felt, would die often and

hard.
But Milky did not come.
At twelve o'clock, Prince Ferdinand
William Otto, clad in his riding gar
mentS of tweed Knockers, puttees, and
a belted jacket, stood by the school
room window and looked out. The
inner windows of his suite faced the
court yard, but the sch0olroom opened
over the place-a bad arrangement
surely, seeing what distractions. to les
sons may take place in public square,
what pigeons feeding in the sun, what
bands with drums and drum majors,
what children flying kites.
II don't understand it," the crown
prince said plaintively. "He is gem
orally very punctual. Perhaps"
But he loyalty refused to finish the
sentence. The perhaps" was a
grievous thought, nothing less than
that Milky and Hedwig were at that
moment riding in the ring together,
and had both forgotten him.
Prince Ferdinand William Otto con-
suited his watch. 1t was of gold, and
on the inside was engraved:
"To Ferdinand William Otto from
his grandfather, on the occasion of his
taking his first communion"
cts getting. rather late" he OBJ
served.
Miss Braithwaite looked troubled.
"No doubt something has detained
him. she said, with unusual gentle
ness. "You might work at the frame
for your Cousin HedWig. Then, If
Captain Larisch comes, you can still
have a part of your lesson"
Prince Ferdinand William Otto
frightened. The burnt wood photo
graph frame for Hedwig was his de-
light. And yesterday, as a punishment
for the escapade Of the day before, It
had been put away with an alarming
air of finality.
The typography outfit was produced,
and for fifteen minutes Prince Ferdi-
nand William Otto labored, his head
on one side, his royal tongue slightly
protruded. But, above the thin blue
smoke of burning, his face remained
wistful. He was afraid, terribly
afraid, that he had been forgotten
again.
81 hope Milky is not ill.," he said
once. ''He smokes great many ciga-
rettes. He says he knows they are
bad for him."
Certainly they are bad for him. -
said Miss Braithwaite. 'HThey contain
nicotine, which is violent poison. A
drop of nicotine on the tongue Of a
dog will kill it."
The reference was unfortunate.
81 wish / might have dog" OBJ
served Prince Ferdinand William Otto.
Fortunately, at that moment, He'd
wig came in. She came in trifle
defantly, although that passed I'M
noticed, and she also came unan-
nounced, as was her cousinly privilege.
And she stood inside the door and
stared at the prince. "Well!" she
said. 'Ts there to be no riding lesson
today?"
81 don't know. Milky has not
come"
ssWhere is he?"
Here the drop Of nicotine got in it's
deadly work. 'I'm, afraid he is ILL.,"
said Prince Ferdinand William Otto.
HE said he smoked too many
cigarettes, and"
els Captain Larisch ill?" Hedwig
looked at the governess, and lost some
of her bright color.
Miss Braithwaite did not know, and
said so. "At the very least" she went
on, che should have sent some word.
I do not know what things are coming
to. Since his majesty's illness, no one
seems to have any responsibility, or
to take any"
"But Of course he would have sent
word" said Hedwig, frowning. II
don't understand it. He has never
been so late before, has hep
'He has never been late at ALL"
Prince Ferdinand William Otto spoke
up quickly.
After a time Hedwig went away,
and the crown prince took off his rid
ing clothes. He ate very small
luncheon, swallowing mostly glass OF
milk and lump in his throat. And
afterward he worked at the frame, for
an hour, shading the hearts carefully.
At three o'clock he went for his drive.
The horses moved sedately. Beppo
looked severe and naughty. A strange
man, In the place of Hans, beside
Beppo, watched the crowd with keen
and vigilant eyes. On the box be-
tween them, under his hand, the new
footman had placed a revolver. Beppo
sat as far away from 1t as he dared.
The crowd lined up, and smiled and
cheered. And Prince Ferdinand VIII
liam Otto sat very straight, and bowed
right and left, smiling.
Old Adelbert, limping across the
park to the opera, paused and looked
Then he shook his head. The country
was indeed come to a strange pass,
with only that boy and the feeble old
king to stand between it and the things
of which men whispered behind their
hands. He went on, with his head
down.