The Dermott news., 1918-02-07

had moved few feet from his post. however. and was watching the stage through the half-open door of Il private loge.
 Prince Ferdinand William Otto passed behind him with outward calm ness. At the top of the public stair case, however, he hesttated. Here, everywhere, were brass-buttoned otli- cials of the opera house. A garderobe woman stared at him curiously. The little prince looked at the woman with appeal in his eyes. Then. with his heart humping. he ran past her, down the white marble staircase. to where the great doors promised liberty.
 Olga. the wardrobe woman, came out from behind her counter and stood looking down the marble staircase after the small flying figure.
 The old soldier who rented opera glasses at the second landing and who had left a leg in Bosnia. leaned over the railing. Look at that!' he ex- claimed. He will break leg. the young rascal! Once 1 could have but there. he Is safe The good God watches over fools and children"
 Tt looked like the little prince." said the wardrobe woman. .I have seen him often-he has the same bright hair"
 But the opera glass man was not listening. He had drawn long saus- age from one pocket and roll from the other. and now, retiring to far window. he stood placidly eating-a bite of sausage. bite of bread. His mind was in Bosnia, with his leg. And because old Adelhert's mind was in Bosnia, and because one hears with the mind, and not with the ear. he did not hear the sharp question of the sentry who run down the stairs and paused for n second Tt the cloak-room. Well for Olga. too. that old Adebert did not hear her reply.
 He has not passed here" she said. with wide and honest eyes. but with m ear toward old Adelbert An old gentleman came moment ago and get sandwich. which he had left In his ovcrcoat. Perhaps this is whom you are seeking?
 The sentry cursed, and ran down the staircase, the nails In his shoes strik- ing sharply on the marble.
 Olga of the cloak room leaned over her checks. with her lips curved up in smile. "fhe little oue!a she thought. And such ceuragel He Will make great king Let him have his prank like the other children, and God bless him and keep him."
 The crown prince was just tritle dazzled by the hrilliance of his sue cess. He paused for one breathleSs moment under the porte-cochere of the opera house: then he took long breath. turned to the left; and was at once swallowed up in the street crowd. It seemed very strange to him. Not that he was unaccustomed to crowds. Had he not. that very Christmas, gone shopping in the city, accompanied only by one of his tutors and Miss Braith- waite. and bought for his grandfather, the king. burnt wood box, which might hold either neckties or gloves, and for his cousins silver photograph frames?
 But this was different. and for rather peculiar reason. Prince Ferdn- back of crowd! The public was al- ways lined up, facing him. smiling and lowing and God-blessing him. Prince Ferdinand William Otto had never known the backs could be so rigid. It was most interesting.
 The next tour was full of remark able things. For one. he lodged be- hind street car and was almost run over by taxicab. The policeman on the corner came out and taking Fer dinand William Otto by the shoulder, gave him n talking to and shaking. Ferdinand William Otto was furious, but policy kept him silent; which proves conclusively that the crown prince had not only nitiative-witness his flight-but self-control and di- plomacy. Lucky country. to have in prospect such king,
 Prince Ferdinand William Otto had the fultillment of n great desire in his small. active mind. This was nothing less than n ride on the American scenic railroad, which had secured a concession In far corner of the park. | IIedwig's lieutenant had described 1t to him-how one was taken In a small 1 car to dizzy height. and then turned loose on track which dropped giddIly and rose again. which hurled one sheet-iron tunnels of incredible l hlaekness, thrust one out over gorge l whlrled one in mad curves around cor, ners of nreeipltous heights and finally l landed one. panting, breathless. shock ed and reeling. but safe. at the very platform where one had purchased i ones ticket three eternities, which | were only minutes. before.
 As the early spring twilight fell. the | gas lamps along the alice. always burn | ing. made twin row of pale stars | ahead. At the end. even as the wan