Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1920-12-22
CHAPTER I.
The Crown Prince Runs AWAY.

not quite reach the floor from the high
crimscn-~elvet seat of his chair.
Prince Ferdinand William Otto was
bored. His royal robes, consisting of
. pair Of blue serge trousers, a short
Elton Jacket, and stiff, rolling collar
OF white linen, irked him.
He had been brought to the opera
house under a Misrepresentation. His
aunt, the Archduchess Annuncsata, had
strongly advocated "The Flying Dutch
man." and his English governess, Miss
Braithwaite, had read him some In
spring literature about 1t. So here he
was, and the Flying Dutchman was not
Khostly at all, nor did 1t fly. And In
stead OF flying, after dreary cons of
singing, 1t was moved on on creaky
rollers by men whose shadows were
thrown grotesQuely on the sea back
ing.
! The orchestra, assisted by a bass
solo and intermittent thunder In the
wings, was making q deafenlng din.
lone Of the shadows on the sea back
Ing took out its handkerchief and
wiped It's nose.
Prince Ferdinand William Otto look
led across at the other royal box, and
caught his Cousin Hedwig's eye. She
also had seen the handkerchief; she
took out her own scrap Of linen, ant
mimicked the shadow. Then, Her
Royal Highness the Archduchess An
nunciata being occupied with the
storm, she winked across at Prince
Ferdinand William Otto.
In the opposite box were his two
cousins, the Princesses Hedwig and
Hilda, attended by Hedwig's lady in
waiting. Hedwig was eighteen. The
crown prince liked Hedwig better than
Hilda. Although she had been intro
duced formally to the court at the
Christmas-eve ball, and had been duly
presented by her grandfather, the
king, with the usual string of pearls
and her own carriage, she still ran of
now and then to have tea with the
crown prince and Miss Braithwaite ir
the school room at the palace; and she
could eat a great deal Of bread and but
ter.
The crown prince yawned although
it was but the middle Of the after
noon. Catching Hedwig's eye, he rar
his fingers up through his thick vel
low hair and grlnned. Hedwig blushed
She had confded to him once, while
they were walking In the garden a.
the summer palace, that she wal
thinking of being in love with a youni
lieutenant who was attached to thu
kings suite. The prince-who wa
called Otto, for short, by the family
because he actually had eleven nameI
the prince had been much Interested
For some time afterward he had both
cred Miss Braithwaite to define beini
In love. but he had had no really salts
factory answer.
In pursuance OF his quest for In
formation, he had grown quite friendl;
with the young officer, whose mann
was Larisch, and had finally asked t,
nave him ride with him at the roya
riding school. The grim old king hat
granted the request, but it had beer
uuite fruitless so far after all. Lieu
tenant Larisch only grew quite red al
10 the ears when love was mentioned
although he appeared net unwilling Il
hear Hedwig's name.
So now Ferdinand William Otto RAJ
his fingers through his fair hair, which
was a favOrite gesture of the lieuten
ants, and Hedwig blushed. The arch
duchess, sitting well back, was nod
ding. Just outside the royal box, di
the red velvet sofa, General Mettlich
who was the chancellor, and had cont
because he had been invited and stayes
outside because he said he liked t.
hear music, not see 1t, was sount
asleep. His martial bosom, with IT.
gold braid, was rising and falling
Oeacefully. Beside him lay the prince'i
crown, a small black derby hat.
Prince Ferdinand William Otto con
ndered it all very wearisome. II on'
could only wander around the corrido!
or buy a sandwich from the stand a
the foot of the great staircase-or, bet
ter still, If one could only get to ths
street, alone, and purchase one OF tbs
As women that Miss Braithwaite Sc
despisedl The crown prince felt il
his pocket, where his weeks allow
ance of pocket money lay comfortable,
untouched.
He meditated. He could go on.
quickly, and be back before they knew
n. Even if he only wandered abou'
the corridor, it would stretch his shor'
legs. And outside it was a fine day
II looked already like spring.
With the trepidation of a canary
who finds his cage door open, and
hopping to the threshold, surveys tbs
world before venturing to explore 1t
Prince Ferdinand William Otto rose
TO his feet, tiptoed past the Arch
duchess Annunciata, who did not move
and looked around him from the door
way.
He picked up his hat and concealed
- by his side. Then nOnchalantly, al