The Elk Mountain pilot., 1918-11-07
By Mary
Roberts Rineha,t
; : : ~ = %s%%s~%
Milky. he felt would die often an

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 knickers, puttees. and
belted Jacket, stood by the school
room window and looked out. The
inner windows of his suite faced the
court yard, but the schoolroom 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 gen.
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 hnd both forgotten him.
Prince Ferdinand William Otto con-
suited his watch. 1t was Of gold. and
on the inside was engraved:
ITO Ferdinand William Otto from
his grandfather, on the occasion Of his
taking his first communion"
'It's getting rather late" he OBJ
served.
Miss Braithwaite looked troubled.
mo doubt something has detained
him." she said. with unusual gentle
ness. "You might work at the frame
for your Cousin Hedwig. Then, II
Captain Larisch comes. you can still
have q part of your lesson"
Prince Ferdinand William Otto
frightened. The burnt wood photo
graph frame for Hedwtg was his de-
light. And yesterday, as a punishment
for the escapade Of the day before. n
had been put away with an alarming
air of flnality.
The pyrography 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.
II hope Milky 10 not Ill.," he said
once. ~He smokes q great many ciga-
rettes. He says he knows they are
bad for him."
Certainly they are bad for him, y
said Miss Braithwaite. They contain
nicotine. which II q violent poison. A
drop Of nicotine ON the tongue Of Q
dog will kin It"
The reference was unfortunate.
II wish / might have q dog" OBJ
served Prince Ferdinand William Otto.
| Fortunately. at that moment. He'd
wig came In. She came in . tribe
denantly, although that passed an
noticed, and she also came unan-
nounced, ~ was her cousinly privilege.
And shs stood inside the door and
stared at the prince. "Welli" she
said. "Is there to be no riding lesson
todayf"
come"
~Where IL her
Here the drop Of nicotine got In its
deadly work. "Tm afraid no u ill., :
said Prince Ferdinand william Otto.
He said he smoked too many
cigarettes, and"
..Is Captain Larisch mr. 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, ''he should have sent some word
do not know what things are coming
to. Since his majesty's illnesss no one
seems to have any responsibility, OF
to take any"
SBut Of course he would have sent
word" said Hedwig, frowning. Il
don't understand 1t. He has never
been 30 late before, has her
"He has never been late at all.
Prince Ferdinand William Otto spoke
up quickly.
| After Q time Hedwig went away
and the crown prince took on his nd.
ing clothes. He ate . very small
luncheon, swallowing mostly q glass Of
milk and a lump in his throat And
afterward he worked at the frame, fol
nm hour. shading the hearts carefully
At three o'clock he went for his drive
The horses moved sedately. Beppc
looked severe and naughty. A strange
man. in the place Of Inns, beside
Beppo. watched the crowd with keen
and vigi]ant eyes. On the box be
tween them. under his hand. the new
footmhu had placed revolver. Beppo
sat as far away from It as he dared.
The crowo lined up. and smiled and
cheered. And Prince Ferdinand Will
liam Otto sat very straight, and bowed
right and left, smiling.
Old Adelbert, llmping across the
pnrk to the opera, paused and looked.
Then he shook his head. The country