The Fayette falcon. (Somerville, Tenn.) 190?-current, 1920-07-09


of wine as they had any right to be.
At last the king set down his glass and
leaned back in his chair.
AZ 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 refuse2 He
could not. Was the wine drugged?
The morning answered yes.
aft he's not crowned today cried
Sapt, I'll lay a crown he's never
crowned
"'By heavens, whyT
"'The whole nations there to meet
him; half the army-aye, and Black
Michael at the head-shall we send
word that the kings drunkT
"'That he's ILL., said /, in correction.
"mp echoed Sapt, with a scornful
laugh. 'They know his illness too well.
He's been i'll before As man grows
old he believes in fate. Fate sent you
here. Fate sends you now to Strelsau
You'll go?'
ayes, I'll go, said /, and / turned
my eyes on the PROSTATE figure of the
king.
"'Tonight,' Sapt went on in a hasty
whisper, we are to lodge In the pal
ace. The moment they leave us you
and / will mount our horses and ride
here at a gollop. The king will 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" 1.-THE play actor"
Rupert Of Hentzau called him, when
he came to know the secret, but "as
good an Elphberg as ever sat upon It,"
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 kingi" cried the peo-
pie after the coronation had been safe
ly managed.
God save 'em bothl" whispered
Sapt as his mouth wrirkled into q
smile.
But IL 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 Ruritanla and held
him prisoner. But then ensued a pretty
pass.
aye, but he can't speak," roared
Sapt In grim triumph. We've got him.
How can he denounce you without de-
nounclng 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 a
loyal gentleman--and that was Rudolf
Rassendyll-arose from the Princess
Flavia. IL had to keep the princess
devoted to me-and yet Indifferent to
me-: had to show affection for her
and not feel 1t. had to make love
for another; and that to girl who
princess or no princess-was the most
beautiful I had ever seen. How I 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 aud almost life. When he
had fallen sorely wounded:
Fritz" he called. sis the king still
allvef"
AYE, friend-dear friend:" said he,
tender as a woman. 'thanks to the
most gallant gentleman that lives. the
king Is aliver'
Ais well that ends well. But Of
the Princess Flaviaf
eff I can never hold sweet converse
again with her. or look upon her face,
or know from her her love, Why. then,
this side the grave. viii live as be
comes the man she loves: and for the
other side I must pray dreamless
Sleep
Copyright, 1913. by the Post Publishing Co
CHE Boston Posi-. Printed by permis-
sion OF, and arrangement with. Henry
Holt & Co. authorized publishers.
|
Fine Sport
.where did you 90 this aftsrnoonr
asked Mr.. Dubwaite as be slipped his
i coffee.