The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1920-07-09

AMN AoANSS'
" URITANIA was not England, or
* the quarrel between Duke MI
- "a chael and Rudolf Rassendyll
could not have gone. on, with the re-
narkable incidents which marked it,
without more public notice being di-
rected to it. 1t is perhaps as strange a
thing as has ever been in the history
Of a country that the kings brother
and the kings personator, in a time OF
profound peace, near a placid, undis-
.urbed country town, under semblance
IF amity, should wage a desperate war
for the person and life of the king,
Yet such was the struggle between
Black Michael and Rudolf Rassendyll,
both of the royal house of Elphberg,
out of very differing antecedents. The
)ne was well known to the royal pal
ace at Strelsau; the other was at
home at 3O5 Park lane, London, West.
The kinship between the two was quite
IN accident, dating from the year 1733,
when a dashing young prince, later
Known to fame as Rudolf the Third OF
Ruritania, paid q visit to London.
There he was courteously entertained
and was a great favorite with the
aides, especially Amelia, countess OF
Burlsdon, and Baroness Rassendyl. In
he end the prince left England rather
hastily under a cloud, but not before
he had fought a somewhat sanguinary
iuel with Countess Amelia's husband.
In the years since there have appeared
It intervals In the family of the Ras-
sendylls certain sons who have been
marked by the long, sharp, straight
aose and the dark red hair of the royal
house of Ruritanfa.
The years pass, many of them, and
another Rudolf of Elphberg Is about
20 be crowned king Of Ruritania. The
same nose, the same red hair distin-
suish him. The loyal half of the popu-
alton of Ruritania could not sleep at
aight till the coronation was safely
over. For the late king had left an
,ther son, by a second and morganatic
marriage, Black Michael, duke OF
Strelsau and lord of Zenda. Though
Michael bore none Of the marks of the
Elphbergs, he had been his fathers
tavorite, and he cast longing eye on
the throne; all the cut-throats and
,lackguards of Ruritania seconded his
wish, for Michael was a man after
heir own hearts.
Curious that young Rudolf Rassen-
iyll should be moved by an idle Curl
,sity to witness the coronation of Ru-
iolf of Ruritania; still more curious
hat he, too, should bear the familiar
nose. the same red hair. So thought
Colonel Sapt, aide to the king, and
Fritz Won Tarlenheim, his close friend
rs they came upon the young English
nan in the forest of Zenda, making
his way afoot to Strelsau. So, too'
bought the king when he appeared a
moment later. But scandals of the
last can no more be concealed in Ruri-
ania than in England. As young Ras-
yendyll later told the tale, first the
ding frowned, "then gradually the cor
,ers of his mouth began to twitch, his
lose came down Gas mine does when |
augh), his eyes twinkled, and, behold
ne burst into the merriest fit of ire
,resslble laughter. which rang through
he woods and proclaimed him jovial
iOul.
"'Well met, cousinr he cried, step
,Ing up to me, clapping me on the
Jack, and laughing still. You must
.orgive me if / was taken aback. A
nan doesn't expect to see double at
his time Of day, Ell, Fritz2'
"I must pray pardon, sire, for my