The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-04-15
FICTION

Florcmar of fruit, vegetables and game for the royal larder, ill charge of the Forest Guard, nobody had been admitted.
 Boris was constrained to suppose tho whole thing to be a cruel hoax, though by whom played he was at loss to suggest.
 To console the disappointed girl he set on foot inquiries for Ferolitz certainly the per son most likely to have conveyed the mes sage if authentic. It was difficult in those days to obtain reliable information from Pannonia; for the military governor ap- pointed by Oesterland had so inflamed the passions of the people that they were de- stroying one another; and the new name of Pandemonia was sarcastically suggested by one witty newspaper for the unfortunate country.
 Feroitz, as they at last ascertaned, had been heard of in the east; and messages were sent to the consuls at various ports, to try to trace him; but almost immediately thereafter, came the outbreak of the World war Nobody gave thought any more to Pannoi1a Nobody remembered it's wid-
 The afternoon wasv very still, and the owed queen.
 quiet of the veranda seemed to woo to son. nolence. As she gazed into the fiery heart of the ruby, she felt as though she were hypnotized herself for as she sank into slumber, never had the thought of her dead lover been so vital and so stirring within her soul.
 How long she slept, her vigorous young form relaxed into softness upon the green and blue and purple silken cushions, she knew not. She heard no footsteps, nor could she have said that any sound awoke her; but when she opened her eyes a man was standing motionless outside the veranda in the rafn, his eyes fixed upon her. The royal blood asserted itself instantly, and she sat upright, eyes shining fiercely.
 "Who are you? What are you doing here?" She touched the little bell which would bring Nada instantly.
 Pardon, mademoiselle," said smooth voice which she thought she had heard be- fore, q bring a note from Veros, which have been ordered to deliver at the resi- dence of Her Royal Highness the Princess Evadne. This I presume to be of the lodges. May I ask for a direction to the house itself?"
 q have rung for servant, who will an swer you," she replied shortly. "You are trespassing. These grounds are private"
 q apologize" he faltered, "I missed my way I will retire at once"
 "You will stop where you are until I order you to move," retorted the princess quickly and he flashed furtive glance of terror at her, after which he dropped his discreet lids and stood meekly motionlee, the rain running down his expressionless countenance Evadne recognized him. He was the waiter who had attended upon her. self and Ra at the Kron Prinz; and in con- sequence of their strict incognito, he did not know who she was. How long had he stood there studying, at his ease, both her self and her collection of relics?
 Nada ran out upon the veranda, through the long open window of the princess bed room.
 "Send Mistitch, without delay. Tell him a man has trespassed in these grounds"
 Nada uttered cry of consternation, turned and fled, calling as she went. Hardly a moment elapsed before Mstitch, in all his appalling ruggedness, blundered roaring round the corner of the veranda, and dashed up to the waiter much in the fashion in which one dog approaches an- other whom he intends to fight, however pa- cific the intentions of the other. It really seemed as if he were smelling him.
 "Mistitch, this is gross negligence on your part. How dare you to allow this ca- naille to intrude upon mel"
 "Mercy, Highness," cried / the giant, gripping the unlucky waiter by the collar. "He is a child of Satan, but he shall live to rue this day."