Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1920-12-24
CHAPTER l.
The Crown Prince Runs AWAY.

box and swung his legs. This was
hardly princely, but the royal legs did
not quite reach The floor from the high
lextmson-velvet seat Of his chair.
Prince Ferdinand William Otto was
bored. His royal robes, consisting Of
y pair Of blue serge trousers, a short
Eton Jacket, and a stiff, rolling collar
Ief white linen, irked him.
He had been brought to the opera
house under q misapprehension. His
aunt, the Archduchess Annunoiata, had
strongly advocated "The Flying Dutch
man." and his English governess, Miss
IBraithwaite, had read him some In
spring literature about 1t. So here he
was, and the Flying Dutchman was not
lghostly at all, nor did it fly. And In
stead Of flying, after dreary cons Of
Istnging. 1t was moved of on creaky
rollers by men whose shadows were
thrown grOtesquely on the sea back
ing.
The orchestra, assisted by a bass
solo and intermittent thunder IN the
wings, was making deafening din.
One Of the shadows on the sea back
ing took out its handkerchief and
wiped its nose.
Prince Ferdinand William Otto look
led across at the other royal box, and
caught his Cousin Hedwig's eye. She
also had seen the handkerchief; she
took out her own scrap Of linen, ant
mimicked the shadow. Then, Her
Royal Highness the Archduchess An
nunciata being occupied with the
storm, she winked across at Prince
lTerdinand william Otto.
In the opposite box were his two
cousins, the Processes Hedwig and
iHilda. attended by Hedwig's lady in
waiting. Hedwig was eighteen. The
crown prince liked Hedwig better than
lHilda. Although she had been intro
duced formally to the court at the
Christmas-eve ball, and had been duly
presented by her grandfather, the
king, with the usual string of pearls
and her own carriage, she still ran OF
now and then to have tea with the
crown prince and Miss Braithwaite In
the school room at the palace; and she
could eat a great deal Of bread and but
ter.
The crown prince yawned, although
lt was but the middle Of the after
noon. Catching Hedwig's eye, he rar
his fingers up through his thick vel
low hair and grinned. Hedwig blushed
She had confided to him once, while
they were walking in the garden a
the summer palace, that she wal
thinking of being in love with younI
lieutenant who was attached to thu
kings suite. The prince-who wa
called Otto, for short, by the family
because he actually had eleven names
the prince had been much interested
For some time afterward he had both
cred Miss Braithwaite to define beinl
In love, but he had had no really salts
factory answer.
In pursuance Of his quest for in
FORMATION, he had grown quite friendl.
with the young officer, whose nam'
was Larlsch, and had finally asked t,
have him ride with him at the roya
riding school. The grim old king hat
granted the request, but it had beef
Mute fruitless so far after all. Lieu
tenant Larisch only grew quite red al
10 the ears when love was mentioned
although he appeared not unwilling Il
hear Hedwig's name.
SO now Ferdinand William Otto raj
his fingers through his fair hair, which
was q favOrite gesture of the lieuten
ants, and Hedwig blushed. The arch
duchess, sitting well back, was nod
ding. Just outside the royal box, OF
Ehe red velvet sofa, General Mettlich
who was the chancellor, and had CONT
because he had been invited and Stayet
outside because he said he liked Il
hear music, not see 1t, was sount
asleep. His martial bosom, with iti
gold braid, was rising and falling
peacefully. Beside him lay the prince
crown, a small black derby hat.
Prince Ferdinand William Otto con
sidered it all very wearisome. If Ont
could only wander around the corridor
or buy a sandwich from the stand a
the foot Of the great staircase-or, bet
Ter still, II one could only get to the
street, alone, and purchase one Of tbs
Ng women that Miss Braithwaite Sc
despisedl The crown prince felt IL
his pocket, where his weeks allow
ance Of pocket money lay comfortabl!
untouched.
He meditated. He could go our
quickly, and be back before they knew
Il. Even If he only wandered Rbou'
the corridor, it would stretch his shor
legs. And outside 1t was fine day
II looked already like spring.
With the trepidation Of a canary
who finds his cage door open, and
hopping to the threshold, surveys tbs
world before venturing to explore 1t
Prince Ferdinand William Otto ROSE
10 his feet, tiptoed past the Arch
suchess Annunciata, who did not move
and looked around him from the door
way.
BE picked up his hat and concealed
a BIZ his kidA Then nonchalantly, a !