The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1918-04-11
Sikky. he felt. would die often and

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
a 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. "TIe II 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 had 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 ut the frame
for your Cousin Hedwig. Then. II
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, rs punishment
for the escapade of the day before. IT
had been put away with an alarming
air 6f 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 Is 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" /"
said Miss Braithwaite. "They contain
nicotine, which 10 q violent poison. A
drop Of nicotine on the tongue Of Q
dog will kill It."
The reference was unfortunate.
II wish I might have a dog" OBJ
served Prince Ferdinand William Otto.
Fortunately. ut that moment, He'd
wig came In. She came In q trifie
defiantly, 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. "Welll" she
said. "Is there to be no riding lesson
todayT
II don't know. Milky has not
come"
"Where Is her
Here the drop Of nicotine got IN its
deadly work. I'm afraid he is Ill.,"
said Prince Ferdinand william Otto.
HE said he smoked too many
cigarettes. and"
els Captain Larisch illr 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 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 II. He has never
been SO late before, has her"
"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 of his rid
Ing clothes. He ate q 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 q revolver. Beppo
sat as far away from 1t as he dared.
The crowd lined up. and smiled and
cheered. And Prince Ferdinand Will
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 strange pass,
with only that boy and the feeble old