Gunnison news-champion., 1921-08-12

whether Ike II or not
All the good fellowship In the world.
however. could not permit royal scan
dais Of the past to be raked up AZ q
coronation Rudolf Rassendyii must
not show his face At this moment in
the capital of Rudolf OF Ruritnnia.
But by thunder cried the king. you
shan't leave Ruriianla today For you
shall dine with me tonight. happen
what VIII afterward-"
That was just the trouble. happen
what Will afrerward- One bottle led
10 another. until they were all as full
os wine as they had any right 10 BE-
AZ last the king set down his glass and
leaned back In his chair.
- have drunk enough said he
-.Far be IL from me TO contradice
the king said l. Indeed, his remark
was most absolutely true-so far as it
went. But stili another bottle-this
from Black Michael. praying that h0
drink for the love that he bears his
brother. Could the king refuse? He
could not. Was the wine druggedf
The morning answered yes.
ubl 0fbNhNa sta~S
sapt, I'll lay crown he's never
crowned
"'By heavens. whyr
1.-The whole nations there to meet
him; half the army-aye, and Black
Michael at the head-shall We send
word that the kings drunkr
"'Thnt he's H. said I. In correction.
-Tllr echoed Sapt. with n scornful
laugh. They know his illness too well.
He's been Ill before, As a man grows
old he believes in fate. Fate sent you
here. Fate sends you now to S,relsau.
You'll gor
ayes. I'll CO. said !. and turned
my eyes on the PROSTATE figure of the
king.
Tonight Sapt went on in hasiy
whisper, we are to lodge in the PAL
ace. The moment they leave us you
and / will mount our horses and ride
here at gollop. The king will be
ready, and he must ride back with me
to Strelsau. and you ride as II 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 nil the traces OF the stock. though
not "of the blood 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.
rtl Ia 20 with Sanf
instructing the English Rudolf most
minutely in his past life. his family,
his tastes. pursuits. weaknesses
friends. companions and servants-as
Ruritania knew fhem-the etiquette OF
the court. what would be expected at
the coronation-and above all Of the
Princess Fiavia.
God save the king" cried the peO~
Pile after the coronation had been safe
( ly managed.
"God save 'em both. !" whispered
! Sapt as his mouth wrinkled into .
smile.
But II 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 Ind word from there that
| cleared for him the mystery Of the
coronation. Riding a. fast as horses
could lay feet to the ground, he seized
poor Rudolf Of Ruritania 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-
nouncing himselff This IL not the
king. because we have kidnapped the
king and murdered his servant Can
he say thatf Hang me II Michael
won't expose himself. II he tries to
expose you."
| But the most dificult situation for
loyal gentleman-and that Was Rudolf
Rassendyll-arose from the Princess
Fiavin. II had to keep the princess
devoted to me-and yet indifferent to
me: had to show affection for her
and not feel It. had to make love
for another; and that to girl who
princess or no princess-was the most
beautiful had ever seen. How sue
ceeded IN carrying out my program
| will appear hereafter"
How they fen 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 and almost life. When he
had fallen sorely wounded:
!, .Fritx," he called. els the king still
alivef'
/ AYE. friend dear friend:" said he.
tender A. q woman. thanks to the
most gallant gentleman that lives, the
king ID aliver
| Airs well that ends well. But Of
| the Princess F1avia9
/ IF can never hold sweet converse
aVafn vvlfh hop ~ lnnf vprou hop faro