Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1920-10-18


dals OF the past to be ralled up at Il
coronation. Rudolf Rassendyll must
not show his face at this moment III
the capital of Rudolf of Us:ritania.
"But by thunder" cried the king, ''you
shnn'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 We're 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.
~ have drunk enough said he.
GEAR he 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-thls
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 druGSed!
The morning answered yes.
off he's not crowned today cried
Sapt, I'll lay crown he's never
crowned
"'By heavens, why!
"The whole nations there to meet
him; half the army-ayc, and Hlack
Michael at the heaI--shall we send
word that the kings drunk?'
"'That he's ill., said I, in correction.
,,.;4h
laugh. They know his illness TOO well.
He's been i'll before! AS Il man grows
old he believes in fate. Fate sent you
here. Fate sends you now to Strelsau
You'll go?'
"'Yes. I'll go said I, and I 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 ! will mount our horses and ride
mere at n gOllop. The king will be
ready, and he must ride back with me
10 Strelsau, and YOU ride as if the
devil were behind you to the from
.ier.'"
SO began those wondrOus days of
adventure which saw the throne OF
Ruritania occupied by an ElphbcrS
with all the traces of the stock, though
not "of the blood The play actor
Runcrt Of Hentzau called him, when
ne came to know the secret, but AS
good an Elphberg as ever sat upon H.
declared Sapt at the end.
The wild ride to Strelsau, with Sapt
nstructing the English Rudolf most
ninutcly in his past life, his family,
lis tastes, pursuits, weaknesses,
friends, companions and scrvantS-s;s
3uritania knew them-the etiquette Of
he court, what would be expected at
he corOnatiOn-and above all of the
Princess Flavia.
God save the king!" cried the peo-
de after the coronation had been safe
v managed.
"God save 'em BOTH" whispered
saDt rs his mouth wrinklCd into q
mile.
But If things went well at Strelsau
With Rudolf Rassendyll, now crowned
IS Rudolf TIE Fifth of Euritania and
lie accepted lover Of the Princess
,'iavia. fortune did not smile on the
Dthnr Rudolf at Zenda. For Black
,lichael had had word from there that
.leared for him the mystery Of tho
cremation. Riding as fast as horses
.ould lay feet TO the ground, he seized
,nor Rudolf Of Ruritania and held
lin prisoner. But then ensued q pretty
IS.
"Ayc, but he can't speak" reared
sapt in grim triumph. We've got him.
low can he tiCnOmce yc'i without de-
bouncing himself? This is not the
King, because we have kidnIpod tne
ling and murdered his servant Can
lie say that? Hang me If Michael
Won't expose himself, if lie tries TO
Expose YOU"
But the most difficult situation fer q
oval gentleman-and that was Rudolf
from the Princess
slayia. 81 had to keep the princess
devoted to mc--and yet Indifferent 70
ne; had to show affection FOR her
md not feel 1t. l had to make love
or another; and that to a girl who
princess or no princess--was the most
beautiful l had ever seen. How l sac
.ccded in carrying out my program
will appear hereafter"
How they fell in love, he with her
md chn with him Is mart of the story
And how, forgetting self, he rescued
he king. and robbed himself Of love
md throne and almost life. Wien h.
had fallen sorely wounded:
Fritz" he called, 'is the king still
llive?"
"Aye, friend-dear friend;" said he,
.cndcr as Il woman, thanks to the
most gallant gentleman that lives, the
king is alive."
AIS well that ends well. But Of
he Princess Flavia?
IF l can never hold sweet converse
again with her. or look upon her face.
lr know from her her love, why, then,
his side the grave, / will live rs be-
comes the man she loves; and for the
,ther side l must pray n drcamless
sleep"
Copyright, 1919, by the Post Publishing Co.
CThe Boston PosD. Printed by permits
sion Of and arrangement with. Henry