The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1920-08-07

4
not forfeit your majesty's favor
"'By heaven! you'll always enjoy
the kings countenance,' he laughed.
| whether I like it or not"
Ali the good fellowship in the werld,
however, could not permit royal scan
| dals 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 R0ritania.
''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 l. Indeed. his remark
was most absolutely true-so far as 1t
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 drugged?
The morning answered yes.
AZ he's not crowned today cried
Sapt, I'll lay a crown he's never
crowned
"'By heavens, why?
"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 /. in correction.
"Tlr echoed Sapt, with 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 go?'
"'Yes, I'll CO. said l, and l turned
my eyes on the PROSTATE figure OF the
king.
"sTonight,' 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 viii 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 OF
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 1t"
declared Sapt at the end.
The wild ride to Strelsau, with Sapt
instructing the English Rudolf most
minutely 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 kingl" cried the peo-
ple 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 Rassendyll, 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
poor 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 II Michael
won't expose himself. II he tries to
expose you"
But the most difficult situation for
loyal gentleman-and that was Rudolf
Rassendyll-arose from the Princess
F1avia. II had to keep the princess
devoted to me-and yet Indifferent to
me; had 20 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 I 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. sis the king still
aliveT"
AYE. friend-dear FRIEND" said he,
tender as a woman, thanks to the
most gallant gentleman that lives. the
king is alive!"
Airs well that ends well. But Of
the Princess Flavia!
IF / can never hold sweet converse