Evening star., 1928-05-27
TNSTALLMENT /.

Mr.. Frederick Chamberlain, United
States consul at Allepest, capital of the
little kingdom Of Movania in Central
Europe, eyed his son gravely across the
desk in his Office.
Eyes, Don," he said, "Ive got to ad-
NIT that so far you have proved your
self a very able diplomat. But must
warn you not to get mixed too thickly
in affairs at the palace. I heartily
approve of your friendship with King
Philippe, but there is danger in you,
the son Of the American consul, becom-
ing involved in the intrigue Of this lit
tie kingdom. I earnestly hope that
you will be careful.
Don't worry, Dad" replied Don.
"Ill remember your Warming Then
suddenly he laughed. you know. I
just can't get used to hearing Philippe
called King I suppose it's hard to
think of fellow as king when you
play tennis with him two or three
times a week. OF course, know he is
King of Movania, but he just seems
like one of the fellows to me-"
Mr.. Chamberlain smiled as Don
jumped to his feet. do you still beat
him at tennis?" he asked.
Eyes, usually" replied Don. AL
though he gives me some good battles
taught him to lob, and he really has
beautiful form. Well, I'll be on my
way. We are playing this afternoon" I"
It was Don's ability as a tennis
player that had first brought about his
acquaintance with the young King OF
MoVania Champion of his school at
home, Don was an excellent player, and
having once been invited to play with
the royal youth by pure chance, they
found much in common.
Later Don had been instrumental in
preventing the kidnapping Of Philippe
then a prince-juSt after the death
of his father, the aged King Peter. This
had bound the two boys together more
closely than ever, and even after
Philippe was crowned King to rule
through council OF regents until ne
became Of age, he and Don continued
their tennis and their friendship.
Therefore, Don and his horse
Major, were familiar figures TO the
palace guards. and he was admitted at
| the gate without question. Dismount-
ing he gave Major into the charge OF
a groom, and made his way to the fine
tennis court in the palace grounds
where he was accustomed to meeting
King Philippe.
"Ah. you are prompt" cried King
Philippe, as he met him. Il have just
now come out myself"
"Good!" answered Don. 'Will we
have opponents for doubles or are we
to play singles?"
us later, but for the time being. you
must be content with me-" smiled the
King "But first would like to talk
with YOU. Let us sit down for a few
minutes on the bench over there"
Don nodded assent, and after they
had seated themselves Philippe was
silent for several minutes. When he
turned to Don his face was troubled.
IT hope you will forgive me for bring
ing my troubles to you," he said
soberly. But you have proved such
faithful friend in the past and II fear
I have few faithful friends"
"What?" Don turned startled eyes
upon the other youth. "Oh, you are
joking. A King-and few friends!"
you do not know what true words
I speak," said Philippe. shaking his
head. "The lot OF King IS not ~, as
pleasant as you might think. Don. The
counter-plots. Every one Is suspicious
, of every one else. Why, count my
only true friends in the whole court as
| nv sister Sonia and Capt. Koenlg.
! Others--oh, yes, they honor me, OF
| course. But trust them implicitly? No"
Don remained silent. He thought OF
his fathers warning, given only a few
minutes before, against becoming in
| volved in court affairs. Yet Philippe
was his friend. Gould he deny him his
confidence?
TT is about Capt. Koenig that
wish to tell you," Philippe continued
"Of course you know that he and my
sister Sonia are in love with each
other. They wish to be married. But
Capt Koenig, you know, is only a
minor baron, though his blood is of the
finest. That he should marry royal
princess is hardly in keeping with our
customs"
well, don't care what kind of a
baron he is" said Don warmly, ''in my
opinion he's princep
King Philippe smiled at Don's en-
thuSiasm, which was not hard to under
stand. At the time when Don had
toiled the plot to kidnap Philippe, II
was Capt. Koenig at the head of his
Royal Guards who had saved the
American boy from death at the hands
of Duke Boris, leader of the kid
napers. Naturally Don was grateful to
the brave soldier
II agree with you as to the captains
worth" said Philippe, but the fact re-
mains that there would be great oppoSi-
tiO0 IN the court here to his marriage