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

py heaven! you'll always enjoy
the kings countenance,' he laughed,
whether like 1t or not"
All the good fellowship In the world.
however, could not permit royal scan
oais Of the past to be raked up at
coronation. Rudolf Rassendyll must
not show his face at this moment In
the capital of Rudolf of Ruritaaia.
But by thunder" cried the king, "you
shan't leave Ruritania today. For you
shall dine with me tonight, happen
what will afterward."
That was just the trouble. happen
what will afterward." One bottle led
to another, until they were all as full
of wine as they had any right to be.
At last the king set down his glass and
leaned back In his chair.
81 have drunk enough said he.
"'Far be it from me to contradict
the king said I. Indeed, his remark
was most absolutely true--so far as IL
went. But still another bottle-this
from Black Michael, praying that he
drink for the love that he bears his
brother. Could the king refuse? He
could not. Was the wine drugged2
The morning answered yes.
aft he's not crowned today cried
Sapt, I'll lay a crown he's never
crowned
SPY heavens, whyP
"'The whole nations there to meet
him; half the army-aye, and Black
Michael at the head-shall we send
word that the kings drunk?'
"'That he's ILL., said I, In correction.
"Tlr echoed Sapt, with a scornful
laugh. They know his illness too well.
He's been i'll before! AS a man grows
old he believes in fate. Fate sent you
here. Fate sends you now to Strelsau.
You'll goT
eyes, I'll co. said I, and turned
my eyes on the PROSTATE figure Of the
king.
"'Tonight,' Sapt went on in hasty
whisper, we are to lodge in the pal
ace. The moment they leave US you
and I will mount our horses and ride
here at a gollop. The king will be
ready, and he must ride back with me
to Strelsau, and you ride as if the
devil were behind you to the from
tier"
So began those wondrous days of
adventure which saw the throne On
Ruritania occupied by an Elphberg
with all the traces Of the stock, though
not "of the blood" "The play actor"
Rupert of Hentzau called him, when
he came to know the secret, but <"as
good an Elphberg as ever sat upon it."
declared Sapt at the end.
The wild ride to Strelsau, with Sapt
instructing the English Rudolf most
infinitely in his past life, his family,
his tastes, pursuits, weaknesses,
friends, companions and servants-as
Ruritania knew them-the etiquette Of
the court, what would be expected at
the coronation-and above all of the
Princess Flavia. ~
"God save the kingr" cried the peo-
pie after the coronation had been safe
ly managed.
God save 'em both !" whispered
Sapt as his mouth wrinkled into a
smile.
But if things went well at Strelsau
with Rudolf Rassendyn, now crowned
as Rudolf the Fifth of Ruritania and
the accepted lover of the Princess
Flavia, fortune did not smile on the
other Rudolf at Zenda. For Black
Michael had had word from there that
cleared for him the mystery of the
coronation. Riding as fast as horses
could lay feet to the ground, he seized
Door Rudolf of Ruritania and held
him prisoner. But then ensued pretty
pass.
aye, but he can't speak," roared
Sapt in grim triumph. "We've got him.
How can he denounce you without de-
nouncing himself? This is not the
king, because we have kidnapped the
king and murdered his servant Can
he say that? Hang me If Michael
won't expose himself, If he tries to
expose you"
But the most difficult situation for
loyal gentleman-and that was Rudolf
Rassendyll-arose from the Princess
Flayia. 81 had to keep the princess
devoted to me-and yet Indifferent to
me: had to show affection for her
and not feel it. I had to make love
for another; and that to a girl who
princess or no princess-was the most
beautiful had ever seen. How sue
ceeded in carrying out my program
will appear hereafter"
How they fell in love, he with her
and she with him, is part Of the story.
And how, forgetting self, he rescued
the king, and robbed himself Of love
and throne and almost life. When he
had fallen sorely wounded:
"Fritz," he called, "is the king still
allveT
"Aye, friend-dear FRIEND" said he,
tender as a woman, thanks to the
most Gallant gentleman that lives the