The Dermott news., 1918-02-14

saluted Two fiunkies in scarlet and gold threw open the doors. A stray dog that had wandered into the court yard watched them gravely.
 'I wish" said Prince Ferdinand William Otto, that I might have q dog. Yesterday l met boy who has q dog. IL sleeps on his bed at night"
 Nkky looked back. Although if had been the boast of the royal family for Il century that 1t could go about un- attended. that Its only danger was from the overzeal of the people in showing their loyalty, not since the death of Prince Hubert had this been true in fact. No guards or soldiers accompanied them, but the secret po- lice were always near at hand. So Milky looked made sure that man in civilian clothing was close at their heels. and led the way across the square to the riding school.
 A small crowd lined up and watched the passing of the little prince. As he passed. men lifted their hats and women bowed.
 'I have great many friends" he said with a sigh of content, as they neared the riding school Il suppose l don't really need a dog
 Look here" said Milky, after pause Look here. highness, you didn't treat your friends very well yesterday"
 "I know" said Prince Ferdinand William Otto meekly. But Prince Ferdinand William Otto had thought out a defense. T got back all right didn't I?" He considered. Tt was worth it. A policeman shook mel
 (Which policeman?" demanded Nix ky In terrible tone. and in his fury quite forgot the ragging he had pre- pared for Otto.
 'I think I'll not tell you. if you don't mind"
 Fortune smiled on Milky that day. Had indeed, been smiling daily for some three weeks. Sngularly enough, the Princess Hedwig. who had been placed on a pony Ut the early age of two. and who had been won't to boast that she could ride any horse in her grandfather's stables. was taking rid ing lessons. From twelve to one which was, also singularly, the time Prince Ferdinand William Otto and Milky rode in the ring-the Princess Hedwig rode also. Rode divinely. Rode saucily. Rode. when Nikky was ahead. tenderly.
 To tell the truth, Prince Ferdinand l Nri1tipY,, rnthar haraH this l ing. that Hedwig would not be there. There was difference in Milky when Hedwig was around When she was not there he would dc all sorts of things like Jumping on his horse while it was going, and riding backward in the saddle. and so on. He had once even tried jumping on his horse as it galoped past him. and missed, and had been uwfully ashamed about 1t. But when Hedwig was there, there was no skylarking. They rode around. and the riding master put up jumps and they took them. And finally He'd wig would get tired, and ask Milky please to be amusing while she rested. And he would not be amusing at all. | llt NItND lililNt ittt llidA Sllt ICNNA i really saw Milky at his best.
 The riding school had been built for officers of the army, but was now used 1 by the court only. Here the king had ridden as a lad with young Mettlich, l his close friend even then. The favor ite mare of his later years, now old and almost blind. still had stall in ' d. ,tn n,., oF hn ! kings last excursions abroad had been l to visit her.
 Overhead, up q great runway, were i the state chariots, gilt coaches e in- l conceivable weight, travelling carriages of the post-chaise periods. sleighs in which four horses drove abreast. their panels painted by the great artists of the time: and one plain little vehicle, very shabby, in which the royal chil- i dren of long ago had fled from a Kar- nian invasion.
 In one corner, black and gold and l forbidding, was the imposing hearse in which the dead sovereigns of the coun- I try were taken to their long sleep in the vaults under the cathedral. Good, bad, and indifferent, one after the other, as their hour came, they had taken their last journey in the old l catafalque, and had joined their for l bears. Many they had been: men of iron, men of blood, men of flesh. men of water. And now they lay in stone crypts. and of all the line only two remained.
 One and all the royal vehicles were shrouded in sheets, except on one day of each month when the sheets were removed and the public admitted. But on that morning the great hearse was uncovered, and two men were working, one at the upholstery which he was brushing. The other was carefully oil ing the wood of the body Save for them, the wide and duslsy loft was empty.