Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1920-12-30

taking his first communion" n "
"It's getting rather late.' he Oh
served.
Miss Braithwaite looked troubled
''No doubt something has detained
him." she said. with unusual gentle
ness. "You might work at the frame
for your Cousin Hedwig. Then, II
Captain Larisch comes, you can still
have a part OF your lesson"
Prince Ferdinand William Otto
frightened. The burnt wood photo
graph frame for Hedwig was his de
light. And yesterday, as punishment
for the escapade of the day before, II
had been put away with an alarming
air Of finality.
The typography outfit was produced
and for fifteen minutes Prince Ferdj-
nand William Otto labored, his head
on one side, his royal tongue slightly
protruded. But, above the thin blue
smoke Of burning. his face remained
wistful. He was afraid, terribly
afraid, that he had been forgotten
again.
Il hope Milky is not ILL.," he said
once. HE smokes great many ciga-
rettes. He says he knows they are
bad for him."
Certainly they are bad for him, -
said Miss Braithwalte. "They contain
nicotine, which Is violent poison. A
drop OF nicotine on the tongue of q
dog win kin it."
The reference was unfortunate.
II wish might have q dog OBJ
served Prince Ferdinand william Otto.
Fortunately, at that moment, He'd
wig came In. She came In trifie
deHantly. although that passed I'M
noticed, and she also came unan-
nounced, as was her cousinly privilege.
And she stood inside the door and
stared at the prince. 'sWellr she
said. 'qs there to be no riding lesson
todayf'
Il don't know. Milky has not
come"
'sWhere Is her"
Here the drop of nicotine got in Its
deadly work. sTm afraid he is Ill.,
said Prince Ferdinand William Otto.
"He said he smoked too many
cigarettes, and"
as Captain Larisch inYv Hedwig
looked at the governess, and lost some
of her bright color.
Miss Braithwaite did not know, and
said so. "At the very least" she went
on, ''he should have sent some word.
/ do not know what things are coming
to. Since his majesty's Illness, no one
seems to have any responsibility, or
to take any,"
'But of course he would have sent
word" said Hedwig, frowning. Il
don't understand it. He has never
been so late before, has be?"
HE has never been iate at all
Prince Ferdinand William Otto spoke
up quickly.
After a time Hedwig went away
and the crown prince took off his rid
ing clothes. He ate a very small
luncheon, swallowing mostly a glass o
milk and lump in his throat. Ant
afterward he worked at the frame, fol
an hour, shading the hearts carefully
At three o'clock ne went for his drive
The horses moved sedately. Beppt
looked severe and naughty. A strang,
man, in the place of Hans, besid,
BeppO, watched the crowd with keel
and yigilant eyes. On the box be
tween them, under his hand, the new
footman had placed revolver. Beppt
sat as far away from 1t as he dared
The crowd lined up, and smiled ant
cheered. And Prince Ferdinand VIII
liam Otto sat very straight, and bowed
right and left, smiling.
Old Adelbert, limping across tbs
park to the opera, paused and looked
Then he shook his head. The countr!
was indeed come to a strange pass
with only that boy and the feeble OLE
king to stand between it and the thing.
Of which men whispered behind theil
hands, He went on, with his heat
down.
AS they drew near the end of th'
park, where the land of desire lowered
Prince Ferdinand William Otto search
ed 1t with eager eyes. How wonderful
it wasl How steep and high, and al
luring He glanced sideways at Mis-
Braithwaite, but it was clear that t.
her 1t was only monstrous heap O
sheet iron and steel, adorned with de
jected greenery that had manifest.
been out too soon in the chill air O.
very early spring.
A wonderful possibility presented
Itself. 'If see Bobby" he asked
may stop the carriage aud speak t.
him?"
Certainly not"
swell, may l call to hIm7"
"Think 1T over" suggested Mis-.
Braithwaite. would your grand
father like to know that you had don,
anything 50 undignihed7"
He turned to her rather desperate
pair of eyes. ''But could explain t.
him." he said. II was In such hurry
when left, that I'm afraid | forgot tt
thank him. ought to thank him
really. He was very polite to me-"
Miss Braithwaite sat still in her sea-