Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1920-12-27

Bobby Thorpe, little American boy.
CHAPTER II-Returning to the palace
at night the crown prince finds everything
in an uproar as result of the search for
him. The chancellor impresses on the old
king, the boys grandfather, who Is very
Ill, the need for better protection OF the
crown prince and suggests that the friend
ship Of the neighboring king of Karnia
be cemented by giving the Princess He'd
Wig in marriage to him. The old king
finally agrees.
''That is my plea, sire" Mettlich
finished. "Karl of Karnia Is anxious
to marry, and looks this way. To a.
lay discomfort and growing insurrec.
ton, to insure the boys safety and his
throne, to beat our swords into plough
shares"-here ne caught the kings
scowl, and added-"to a certain ex-
tent, and to make us a commercial
as well as a military nation, surely,
sire, it gains much for us, and loses
us nothing"
''But our independence said the
king sourly.,
However, he did not dismiss the
idea. The fright of the afternoon had
weakened him, and If Mettlich were
right the royalist party would need
outside help to maintain the throne,
"Karnia I" he said. "The lion and
the lamb, with the lamb inside the
lion And In the meantime the boy"
"He should be watched always"
"He has Lussin." Count Lussin was
the crown princes aide-de-camp.
HE needs a man, SIRE" observed
the chancellor rather tartly.
The king cleared his throat. "This
youngster he is so fond of, young
Larisch, would he please you betterY"
he asked, with ironic Difference.
"A good boy, sire. You may recall
that his mother" He stopped.
Perhaps the old kings memory was
good. Perhaps there was a change in
Msttlich's voice.
"a good boyT
@None better, sire. He Is devoted
to his royal highneSs, He Is outside
now"
"Bring him in. IN hsvs look at
him"
Milky, summoned by chsGberlain,
stopped inside the doorway and bowed
deeply.
"Come here" said the king.
He advanced.
SLOW old are your"
'9Twenty-three, sire"
ain the grenadiers, I believe"
Milky bowed.
like horsesT" said the king sud.
denly.
"Very much, sire"
"And boys?"
T-some boys, sire"
"Humphl Quite right, too. Little
devils, most of them" He drew him
self up In his chair. Lieutenant
Larisch," he said, Ellis royal highness
the crown prince has taken liking
to you. believe 1t is to you that our
fright today is due"
Nlkky's heart thumped. He went
rather pale.
at is my intention, Lieutenant Lar
isch, to place the crown prince in your
personal charge. For reasons 1 need
not go into, it Is imperative that he
take no more excursions alone. want
real friend for the little crown
prince. One who is both brave and
loyal"
Afterward, in his small room, Milky
composed a neat, well-rounded speech
In which he expressed his loyalty
gratitude, and undying devotion to the
crown prince. 1t was an elegant lit
tie speech. Unluckily, the occasion TO
1t had gone by two hours.
"T-I am grateful, SIRE" was wha
he said. 'T-" And there he stopped
and choked up. 1t was rather dread
full.
Il depend on you, Captain Larisch,
said the king gravely, and nodded hi!
head in a gesture of dismissal
Milky backed toward the door, strucl
a hassock, all but went down, bowed
again at the door, and fled.
"a fine lad" said General Mettlich
''but no talker."
"All the better" replied his males
ty. II am tired of men who tall
well. And" he smiled family g
am tired of you. You talk too well
You make me think. / don't want t.
think. I've been thinking all my life
1t is time to rest, my friend"
CHAPTER III.