South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-08-01

and Rudolph RassendyH could not
have gone on. with the remarkable
incidents which marked it. without
more public notice being directed 20
IT, II is perhaps as strange a
ching ar has ever been In the his
tory OF a country that the kings
brother and the kings personator. /
in a time Of profound peace, near
a placid. undisturbed country town,
under semblance OF amity. should
wage a desperate war for the per-
son and life Of the king.
Yet such was the struggle be
tween Black Michael and Rudolf
Rassendyu. both Of the royal house
OF Elphberg, but Of very differing
antecedents. The one was well
known 10 the royal palace at Strel-
sau: the other was at home at No.
3O5 Park lane, London, west The
kinship between the two was quite
an accident, dating from the year
1873. when a dashing young prince.
later known 10 fame as Rudolf the
Third Of Ruritania, paid a visit 10
London. Tt ere he was cOurteOusly
entertained and was a great fav-
orite with the ladies. especially
Amedia. countess OF Burlesdon. and
Baroness Rassendyll. In the end
the prince left England rather
hastily under a cloud. BUT not be
fore ne had fought a somewhat
sanguinary duel with Countess
Amedia's husband In the years
since there have appeared at inter
walls in the family Of the Rassen-
dylls certain sons who have been
marked by the long. straight nose
and the dark red hair Of the royal
house OF Ruritania.
The years pass, many Of them.
another Rudolf Of Elphberg is
about to be crowned King Of Ruri-
tania The same nose. the same
red hair distinguish him. The
loyal half Of the population OF Ruri-
tania could not sleep at night till
the coronation was safely over. For
the late king had left another son,
by "A second and morganatic mar
riage. Black Michael. Duke Of Strel-
sau an6 Lord Of Zenda. Though
OF the Elphbergs. he had been his
fathers favorite. and he cast a
longing eye on the throne: all the
cut-throats and blackguards OF
Ruritania seconded his wish, for
Michael was a man after their own
hearts.
Curious that young Rudolf Ras-
sendyll should be moved by an idle
curiosity TO witness the coronation
Of Rudolf Of Ruritania; still more
curious that he. too. should bear
the familiar nose. the same red
hair So thought Col. Sapt. aide
10 the king. and Fritz Won Tarlen-
helm. his close friend. as they came
upon the young Englishman in the
forest OF Zenda. making his way
afoot to StreISau. So. too, thought
the king when he appeared a mo-
ment later. But scandals Of the
past can no more be concealed in
Ruritania than in England. AS
young Rassendyn later told the
tale. first the king frowned. then
gradually the corners of his mouth
began to twitch, his nose came
down Gas mine does when I laugh),
his eyes twinkled. and, behold. he
burst into tho merriest fit OF ire
pressible laughter. which rang
through the woods and proclaimed
aim a jovial soul
We'll met. cousinr he cried.
stepping up 10 me. clapping me on
the back. and laughing still. You
must forgive me If I was taken
aback. A man doesn't expect to
see double at this time of day, Ell,
Fritz
II must pray pardon, sire, for
ny presumption said z trust it
VIII not forfeit your Majesty's
,avor'
BY heavenl you'll always en-
10y the kings countenance. he
aughed. whether like it or mott"
All the good fellowship in the
world. however. could not permit
royal scandals OF the past 10 be
-aked up at a coronation. Rudolf
Rassendyll must not show his face
Il this moment in the capital Of
Rudolf OF Ruritania But by thun-
Ter" cried the king. you shant
cave Ruritania today For YOU
hall dine with me tonight. happen
What will afterward"
That was just the trouble. hap
zen what will afterward. one
bottle led TO another until they
we're all as full of wine as they had
my right 10 be. AT last the king
ct down his glass and leaned back
n the chair
- have drunk enough said he
"'Far be II from me 20 contradict
he king. said J. Indeed his re
mark was most absolutely true-so
ar as il went" But still the love
hat he bears his brother. Could
he king refuse? He could not.
Vas the wine drugged? The morn
ng answered yes
IF he's not crowned today
ried Sapt. I'll lay a crown he's
lever crowned.
BY heavens. why2'
'TNe whole nations there 10
meet HIM; half the army-aye. and
Black Michael at the head-shaIl