The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1918-04-12
| Milky, he felt, would die often and

At twelve O'clock, Prince Ferdinand
William Otto, clad in his riding gar
, ments Of tweed Knockers, 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 a 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
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"
'It's 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 part of your lesson"
Prince Ferdinand William Otto
frightened. The burnt wood photo
graph frame for Hedwig was his de-
light. And yesterday, as punishment
for the escapade of the day before. IT
had been put away with an alarming
air of f1nality.
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.
II hope Milky Is not ill.," he said |
once. "He smokes a great many ciga-
rettes. He says he knows they are
bad for him."
Certainly they are bad for him."
said Miss Braithwaite. "They contain
drop of nicotine on the tongue Of
dog will kill it."
The reference was unfortunate.
II wish I might have a dog" OBJ
served Prince Ferdinand William Otto.
Fortunately, at that moment, He'd
wig came in. She came In a trif1e
deffantly, although that passed un-
noticed, and she also came unan-
nounced, as was her cousinly privilege.
And she stood inside the door and
stared at the prince. "WellI" she
said. 'Is there to be no riding lesson
today7"
II don't know. Milky has not
come"
"Where is hep
Here the drop Of nicotine got in, its
leadly work. "I'm afraid he is ILL.,"
said Prince Ferdinand William Otto.
He said he smoked too many
cigarettes, and"
"Ts Captain Larisch ill7" Hedwig
ooked at the governess, and lost some
# her bright color.
Miss Braithwaite did not know, and
laid so. "At the very least" she went
IN, che should have sent some word.
do not know what things are coming
o. Since his majesty's Illness, no one
eems to have any responsibility, or
o take any,"
'But Of course he would have sent
vord," said Hedwig, frowning. Il
lon't understand it. He has never
een so late before, has hep
"He has never been late at ALL"
'rince Ferdinand William Otto spoke
70 quickly.
After a time Hedwig went away,
nd the crown prince took of his rid
ng clothes. He ate very small
luncheon, swallowing mostly a glass OF
milk and lump in his throat. And
fterward he worked at the frame, for
n hour, shading the hearts carefully.
It three O'Clock he went for his drive. {
The horses moved sedately. BeppO :
,oked severe and naughty. A strange
IAN, In the place of Hans, beside
'eppo, watched the crowd with keen Q
nd vigilant eyes. On the box be-
ween them, under his hand, the new c
ootman had placed a revolver. Beppo :
at as far away from 1t as he dared. 4
he crowd lined up, and smiled and a
heered. And Prince Ferdinand VIII r.
am Otto sat very straight, and bowed 4
ght and left, smiling. Il
Old Adelbert, limping across the II
ark to the opera, paused and looked.
hen he shook his head. The country II
as indeed come to a strange pass, II
18th only that boy and the feeble old II
Ing to stand between 1t and the things II
which men whispered behind their II
ands. He went on, with his head
own.
As they drew near the end of the II
ark, where the land of desire lowered,
rfpce Ferdinand William Otto search
II with eager eyes. How wonderful
was How steep and high, and Al
lringI He glanced sideways at Miss
RI ~ Aaffn huf ~ waa clnor that n | 81