DNG L.VBTHE KtN Copjrlsht, 1D17, 17 Miry CHAPTER I THE CROWN I'KIXCE RUNS AWAY TIIU Crown 1'rlnco eat In the royal box and swung his legs. This ua lordly lirlnccly. but tho ront legi did not qulto reach the lloor from Uio lilgli crimsons civet scat of lils chair. Prlnco Ferdinand 'William Olto was bored. Ills rojal robes, consisting of a pair of bluo (serge trousers, a short Eton Jacket, and u MIIT, rolling roll.ir of whlto linen. Irked him. JIo had been brought to tho Opera Houso under :i misapprehension. HlJ aunt, the Archduchess AnmincUta, had strongly ado. tatcd "Tlio l'l)lng Dutchman." and hli Eng lish governess. Miss Hcallhwalto. had read him pomo Inspiring lllrraturo nbout It. .Vo hero ho was. and tho Fl)lng Dutchman Mas not ghostly at all, nor did It fly. It ae, from tho royal box, only too plainly . ship which had lonsth and height, without thick. ness. And Instead of II) Ing, after dreiry tons of singing. It w is moved off on creaky rollers by men whoso rhvlows wero thrown grotesquely on tho sea backing. Tho orchestra, asslrtcd by a bas". colo and Intermittent thunder In tho wing, wan inak. Ing u deafening din. Ono of tho shadow n on tho sea backing took out tj handkerchief and Vi lpd Its nose. Prlne.i lYrcilnnml William Otto looked icross at thuutlur lojal box, und caught his Cousin Hedwlg's eji. Mho nlso hail sun tlio -handkerchief: tho took- out her own scrap of linen, and mimicked tho shulow. Thm, Her Ttojal Highness tho Archduihosi Annum I it.i being occupied with tho storm, tho winked ucross at 1'rlnco 1'erdlmnd William Otto. In tho opposite box were his two cousins, the Princesses Hedwlg and Hilda, attended bv Hedwlg u lady lu waiting. When a princess of tho Court beconuM seventeen, sho iliops qovernessci rind takes to ladles In waiting. Hedwlg was eighteen Tho down I'rlme liked Hedwlg better than Hilda Although ,ho had been Introduced form illy b tlio 'ourt at tho Christmas) fo ball, and hid been dulv presented by her grandfather, tho King, with tho usual string of purls und her own carriage with tho spokes of tlio wheels glided halfway only tho King and 1'rlnco Ferdinand William Otto had nllguld wheel-i sho ttlll ran off now and then to havo tea with tho Crown rrinco and Miss Bralthwaltu in the ichoolroom at tho Valaco; and rho lould eat a great diil of bread and butter rrlnco I'erdlmiid William Ott winked liack at tho Trlnccss Hedwlg. And Juat then -"Listen, Otto." said tho Areliduchet, lean ing forward. '"Ilio arlnmnc Sene la It nut exquisite ? ' They aro only pretending to t-iiln, ' re marked Prince 1 Lrdlinnd AMIliain Otto. Nevertheless hf listened obedlcntlj Ho rather liked It. The) lnd not fooled him at all. They wero hot leilly iplnnlng an omi lould te thit hut they wero sticking very ilosely t their business of cich outslnglng tho other, and cclkctivcl of drowning out tho orchestra Tho spinning ihorut wis followed bv long apd tlresomo tolof. 'tho rown Prlnoo xiwned agiln, nllhoufch It was but tho nilddu of the afternoon I'aUhing Hedwlgs en-, h, ran his lingers up through his thick hah- and grlnnid. Hedwlg blushed Mid had c-uiifldi.il to him otiLC. whllo the wro w ilklng in thn garden at tho summer palace, that sho was thinking of being In lovo with a oung lieu tenant who was attaOliLd to thn King a rullo. The rrinco wlio was called Otto, for short, by tho tamlly, lm-iuso ho actually hail ibvcn names tho Prluco hail been much Interested. Tor some time afterward ho had bothered Miss Uralthwatto to dtttno bilng In love, but ho had has no really satlsfactoiy answer. In pursuance of hi i nust tor Information he had grown iulte friendly with tho oung ofUcer, who?o ii nno waj Larlsch, and li til finally asked to lino him ildo with him at tlio rojal riding schunl Tho grim old King bad granted tho request, but It had been iiulto fruitless u tar afti l- all. Lieutenant I.iriech only, grew iiulto red is to tho cars when love was uicntioiicd, although ho up- peared not unwilling to hear Hedwlg's name. Tho Crown Prlnoo had developed a strong liking for tho vc-ung nfheer. Ho assured Hedwlg ono trluio when sho tamo to tea that .when ho wan king he would seo tint she married tho lieutenant. Hut Hedwig was much distressed "I don't want him that vva," sho said. "Anliow, I shall probably havi to marry somo wretch with ears th it slick out and a bad temper. I daro siy ho's selected nl leady. Ah to I.leutuiant Larlsch, I'm euie he's In lovo with Hilda. You should seo tho way ho ntarcs at her. "Pish" said rrinco l'erdlnand William Otto oicr hij cup "llllile Is not as pretty s you arc. And Nlkkj and I talked ubuut jou fieaucntlj " "Nlkkj" wih tho cfTiccr Tlio fiown Prlnco vias vnj inform il with tho people ho liked. "flood gracious" exclaimed tho Princess Hedwlg, coloring. "And what do jou sa t ' Miss llralthwalto hiving left tho loom. Prince Perdlnand tMlllam Otto took another lump of sugai. "hav .' Oh. not much, jou know. Ho asks how ou arc, and I tell him jou aro well, und that ou uto thirteen pieces of bread at tea, or whatever It may have been. Tho day Jllss llralthwalto had the toothache, and jou and I ato tho fruit Cake her sister had sent from Hngl.ind, he was very anxious. Ho wild wo both deserved to bo III." Tho Trlncecs Hedwlg had been blushing uncomfortably, but now sho paled. "Ho ilared to say that?" sho stormed. "Ho dared !1" And sho had picked up her murf and gono out in a lino temper. Onlj and this was curious by tho next day sho had lorglvcn thn lieutenant, mul was angry at I'trdlnand Willlum Otto, Women aro very strange So now Kerdlnund William Otto ran hii ringers through his fair hair, which was a favorlto gesture of tho lieutenant', und Hed wlg blushed. After that sho routed to Iuon at him. but sat staring fixedly ut tho stage, whero Krau Hugh, In n short skirt, a black velvet bodlco and a whlto apron, with two jellow braids ove-r her shouldcis, was lis tening "with ull the concss of forty j-ears nnd sjt children ut home to the love-making of a man In a false black beard. Tho Archduchess, .sitting well back, wa nodding. Just cditblde the royal box, on tho red-velvet sofa. Central Mettllch. who via, tho Chancellor, and had come because hn had been Invited and staved outsldo because ho said ho liked to hear music, not seo It, was sound asleep. His martial bosom, with Its gold braid, was ilslng nnd falling peaco fully. Beside him lay tlio Prince's crown, a small black derby hat. Tho Prlnce.su Hilda looked across nnd smiled and nodded ut Ferdinand William Otto, Then sho went back to the music ; sho held tho bcoro In her hand and followed It note by note, the was stud j lug music und her mother, who was tho Archduchess, woi, watching her. llut now und 'then, when her tnntlir'i a ei tiara crlned In thn stnire. lTlldlL 1 I 'fttnln n. dance at. the unner balconies whero Impecunious joung otlicers leaned over tho rail and gazed ut her respectfully, . Prince Ferdinand William Otto considered It all very wearlsomo. If one could only wander around tho corridor or buy u sand wich from tho stand at the foot of tho great staircase or, better Btlll, It ono could only t get to tho street, alone, and purchase ono of tho flg women that SIlss Uralthwalto to do. if r t f Hobcrts Illnehirt and Publla lAittt Cempia7 splsed I Tho Crown Prlnco felt In his pocket, whero his week's nllowanco of pockot-money lay comfortably untouched. Tho Archduchess, shielded by tho velvet hangings with tho rojal nrnu on them, was now qullo comfortably asleep, l'rorn tho cor ridor came pounds Indicating that tho Chan cellor pi cf erred making noises to lUtonlne to them. Thej wero signs on tho rtago that Kruu IIukIIi braids, six children, und all, wbb nbout to go Into tho urms of tlio man with the fnlso beard. The Crown Prlnco meditated. Ho could go out quleklj-, nnd be back beforo they knew It. Kveu If ho only wandered about tho cor ridor, it would stretch his short legs. And outside It was a, 111 o daj It looked alrcad like spring. ' With the trepidation of a canary who finds hi I cage dor open, nnd, hopping to tho threshold, s-urvevs tho world beforo entur Ing to cxploio It, Prince Ferdinand William Otto ioso to his fict, tiptoed past tho Arch duchess Annunclala, who did rot move, and looked around him from tlio doorwaj. Tho Cliancello- slept. It. the royal dress ing loom behind tho bov u lady In waiting was sitting nnd crocheting. Mio did not care for opera. A inald was spreading tho royal ladlts' vi raps befcro tho tire. Tlio prtneesscs IihiI shed their turred carriage boots Just In side tho door. Tim' were In a row. ry snuilt at d d ilntv. Prlnco Ferdinand Ullllam Otto picked up his hut and concealed It by Ids side. Then, nonchalantly, as If to stretch Ills legs by walking ten fict up tho corridor and back, he p.istd the dressing-room donr. Ar other mcment and ho was out of sight around a bend of tho pasagewaj. and beforo him lajv llbcitv. Not nulto ' At the top of tho private Btalr caso reserved for tho royal family a guard commonly stood Ho had moved a few feet from his post, however, und was watching tho stage through tho lnlf-cpen door of a private logo His rifle, with its fixed baj-onet, leaned ugnlnst tho stair rail. Prlrco Ferdinand William Otto passed be hind hlni with outward calmness. At the top nr thu nuhlic st.ilrcasc. however, lieOicsltated, Micro, evcijwhcre. were brass-buttfmed cru cial it tlio opera house. A garuerooo woman stared ut him curiously. Thero was a n&Hso trom tho house, too u sound of clapplnp li mds and bravos " The little Trlnco looked Ht the woman with appeal In his eyes. Then, tilth his heart thumplrg, ho ran past her, down the whlto ninrbla staircase, to whero the great doors promised liberty. ulgi, tho wardrobe woman, oimo out from hoinii.t he- cuiinter and stood looking down tho mirblo staircaco after Uio small fljlns llgure. "Hlcssed & ilnts ' oho Raid, wondering. ' How niiicli that child resembles Ills Itoj-al Highness ' Hie- old soldier who rented opera glasses at tlio s cord landing and who had left a leg lu llovnli, leaned over tho railing. "Look at that ho exclaimed "Ho will break a leg. the joung rascal! Onca I could have but then, ho is sifol Tho good God watches oie- tools and children " It looked Ul.q the llttlo Prince. ' said tho wardrobo vvinuiii. "I havo seen him often he has the samo bright hair. ' Uut thu opcra-gU s man was r.ot listen ing He hid drawn a long siusago from ono pmket and a roll trom the other, and nw, retiring tn a tar window, ho stood placidly eitlng- a blto of sausage, a blto of bread. His mind was In Uosria, with Ills leg. And beciuso old AdelbirtH mind waj in Bosnia, and because- olio hears with tho inind. anil not with tho ear, ho did nut hear the sharp ciuistlon uf tho i entry who ran clown the stairs and paused for u second at tho cloak iooiii. Well for ilgi, too, that old Adelbert did not hear her reply. ' He has not pissed here," sho aald, with vi Ida und honest ejes, but with an ear to ward old Adclbcit. "An old gentleman camo a moiuert ugu und got a sandwich, which ho hid lett in Ids overcoat. Perhapj thlj is whom Jou uio seeking;" The sentry cursed und ran down tho stall catc. tho mils lu his shocj striking sharply on tho marble. 1 1 tho w indow, old Adelbert cut ort another blUo of sausage with his pockctknlfe und s.iuiitcnd back to his tublo of opera glasses ut the angle of tho balustrade. Tho hunt ing Uguro of the sentry below caught his tvo. "Another fool!" ho grumbled, looking down. 'One would think new- legs grew In plain of old ones, lll.o tho claws of tho sea creatures !" But Olg.i of tho cloakroom looked over her cheeks, with her lips curved up In a smile. "Tho llttlo ono!" sho thought, "And Mich couraco! Ho will make u great king! It him havo his prank llko tho other chll dicn, nnd Cod bless hlni and keep Mm." CHAPTER II V.N USEES THE WOULD Till! i rown Prlnco waj Just a trlfio daz zled by tho brllllanca of his success. Ho .paused for ono breathless moment under tin portc-cochcro of the opera houso; then ho too'c a long breath and turned to tho lift. For ho know that at tho right, Just urounu tho corner, were the rojal carriages, with his own drawn up beforo the door, and Beppo und Hans erect on tho box. their hutighly noses red lu tho wind, for tho early spring uir wus biting. ho ho turned to the left and was at once swallowed up tho street crowd. It secmeu vry strnngo to him. Not that no w.is unac customed to crowds. Had ho not, that very Christmas, gone shopping In tho cltj", accom panied only by ono of his tutors and Miss Bralthwalte, and bought for his grandfather, tho King, a burnt-wood box, which might hold either necktie or gloves, und for lib cousins silver photograph frames Hut this wus different, und for a rather peculiar re isou. Prince Ferdinand William Otto hud never seen tho back of a crowd I Tho publio was nlwajs lined up. facing hlni. smiling und uowmg unu ciou-messim, win. Ntn.ill wonder ho thought of most of Ills futuro subjects as being much llko tho ship In tho opera, meant only to bo viewed from tho front. Also, it was surprising to seo how stiff und straight their backs were. Prlnco Ferdinand William Otto had never known that backs i-ould bo ho rigid. Those with which he was familiar bad a way of drooping forward from the middle of the splno up. It was most Interesting. The next hour was full of remarkablo things. For one, ho dodged behind a street ear and was almost run over by a taxlcab. Tho policeman on the corner camo out, and taking Ferdinand William Otto by the i boulder, gavo him a talklng-to and a shak ing, l'erdlnand William Otto was furious, but policy kept Mm silent; which proves con clusively that the Crown Prlnco had not only lnttlatlvo witness his flight but self-control und djplomacy. I.ucky country, to havo in prospect such a king! But cv en roj-alty has Its weaknesses. At the next corner Ferdinand William Otto stopped und Invested part of his allowance In tha forbidden tig lady, with arms and legs 6f dates, and eyes of cloves. He had wanted ono of these over slnco he could remember, but Jllss Bralthwalte had sternly refused to authorize tho purchase. In fact, she had had one of the dates placed under a microscope, und had shown Ills Itoyal Highness a num ber of Interesting and highly active creatures who mado their homes therein. I f. -. "It is my intention, Lieutenant Larisih, (o place the Crown I'nnce tu jour perfconal clturge," tho old King said. Prince; one who is both brave and lojal. I depend on jou." His Koval HighpcuH tecalled all this with great distinctness, and. Immediately dismiss ing It from his mind, ato tho hgs and nrins of the tig woman with euJoMueiit. 'Which not tho citing of tho legs mid arms, of course, but to bo ublo to dismiss what Is un pleasant 13 another highly desirable rojal trait. So far his movements had been swift and entirely objective. But success rather went to his heud. Ho had ncvor been out alono before, liven ut tho summer palace there wero nlwujs tutors, or Miss Bralthwalte, or nu nldo-do-canip, or something. Ho hesi tated, tool: out his small handkerchief, dusted his shoes with It, and then wiped his face. Behind vi aa tho opera, looming und grnj'. Ahead was tho park. Nolo the long alho between rowj of treca trimmed to resemhlo walls of green In sum mer, und curiously distorted skeletons In winter, note tho coffeehouses, whero joung oflkers lu uniforms sit undi r tho tieo--, read ing tho papers, and rllng to bow with groat clunking und iiiurh ceremony as u gold- wkeclcd carriage or u pretty girl went by. Prlnco Ferdinand William Otto had tho fulllllment of a great deslro In his small, uctlvo mind. This wus nothing less than a rldo on tho American scenic lallroad, which had secured a concession in a far corner of the park. Hedwlg's lieutenant had described It to him how ono was taken In a small car to a dizzy height, und then turned looso on a track which dropped giddily and roso again, which hurled ono through sheet-Iron tunnels of incredlblo blackness, thrust ono out over a gorge, whirled ono In mad curves around corners of precipitous heights, and Anally landed ono, panting, breathless, shocked, and reeling, but safe, nt tho very platform whero one had purchased one's ticket three eternities, which wero only minutes, before. Prince Ferdinand William Otto bad put this proposition, llko the llg woman, to .Miss Uralthwalto. Miss uraunwaiie ropucu wuu tho sad history of an Kngllsh child who had clutched nt his can during a crucial moment on n similar track at tho Crjstal Palaco In London. "When they picked him up," sho nnlshcd, "every bono In his body was broken." "Every bono?" "Every bone," said Miss Bralthwalte, sou cmnlj-. "Tho llttlo ones In hti cars and all?" "Ilvcry one," said Miss Bralthwalte, refus ing to weaken. Tho Crown Prlnco had pondered. "Ho must have felt like JelljV ho remarked, and Miss Bralthwalte had dropped tho subject. So now, with freedom and his week's allow ance, except the outlay fpr the llg woman, lu his pocket, Prlnco Ferdinand William Otto started for tho Land of Desire The alleo was almost deserted. It was tilt sacred hour ot coffee Tlio terraces wero empty, bdl from tho coffee houses along tho drlvo thero camo a cheerful rattlo of cups, a hum of conver sation. As tho earlv spring twilight fell the gas lamps along the allee, utwajs burning, mado a twin row of pale stars ahead. At tho end, even as the wanderer gazed, ho saw myriads of tiny red, white and blun lights, rising high In the ulr, outline tho crags and peaks of the sheet-Iron mountain which was his des tination. Tho Land of Desire was veny near 1 There camo to his cars, too, me occasional rumble that told of some palpitating soul being at that moment hurled and twisted and Jojously thrilled, as per tho lieutenant's description. Now, It Is a strango thins, but true, that one does not reach the Land of Deslro alone; because tho half of pleasure Is tho Bharlng of It with somo one else, and tho Land of Desire, alone, IS not tho Land of Desire at all. Quite suddenly Prince Ferdinand William Otto dis covered that he was lonely. Ho sat down on tho curb under the gas lamp and ate tho fig woman's head, taking out the cloves, because ho did not llko cloves. At that mo ment there was a soft whirring off to ono side of him and a j-ellow bird, rising and falling erratically on tho broeze, careened suddenly and fell at his feet. Prince Ferdinand William Otto bent down nd nicked It ud. It was a small toy aero plane, with' yellow silk planes, guy ropes of waxed thread and a wooden rudder, Its mo tive power vestoa in a tignuy iwuiou run her. One of tlio wings was bint, l'erdlnand William Olto straightened It and looked around for tho ownei. A small boy was standing under tho net gas lamp. ' cleo !" ho said In English, ' did you seo It go that time"' Prlnto I'erdlmiid William Otto eved the stranger Ho was about his own ugc ni.d was dressfd In u short pair of corduroy trou sers, miith blooniiil at tho knto, n pilr of jellow Itussla-lcather shoes that reached will to his c'alves and, over all, ,a sh iggy whlto sweater, rolling almost to his chin. On tho very back of his head ho had tho smallest cap that Prlnco Ferdinand William Otto had ever seen. Now, this vi as exactly tlio way In which tho Crown Prlnco had niwajj wished to dress. Ho vi.im suddenly conscious of the long trousers, on his own small legs, of tho Igno miny of his tailless I.tou Jai Uet and stiff, lolling collar, of tho crowning dhgr.ice of his derby hit But tho lonely feeling bid gono from him 'This Is tho best tinio for fljlng." ho paid, in his pcrfcit English. "AH tho exhi bition tllghts ure at bundown." The boy walked slowly over und stood looking down ut him ' You ought to seo It fly from tho top of Pike's Peak!" he re marked. He Jiad caught stgnt of the despised derby and his cjes widened, but with In stinctive good breeding ho ignored 1U "That'3 Plko's Peak up there." Ho indicated tho very top of tho Land of Deslro. Tho Prlnco started up. "How does ono get up?" ho queried. "Ladders My fathers tho manager. Ho lets mo up sometimes " Prlnco Ferdinand William Otto stared with new awo ut the boy. Ho found thu fact much moro remarkablo than If tho stranger had stated that his father was tho King of England. Kings were, as vou may taj-, di rectly In Prince Ferdinand William Otto's line, but 6ccnlc railroads "I had thought of taking a Journey on It," ho said, after a second's reflection. "Do jou think jour father villi sell mo a ticket?" 'Billy Urlmm will. I'll go with jou!" Tho Prlnco roso with nlacrltj-. Then he btopped. Ho must, of course, ask tho strango boy to bo his guest. But two tickets! Per haps his nllowanco was not sutllclent. "I must first seo how much It costs," ho said, with dlgnltj-. Tho other boy laughed. "Oh. gee! Yon como with me. It won't cost anything," ho said, and led tho way toward tho towering lights. v For Bobby Thorpo to bring a small boy to ride with him was an cvery-day affair. Billy Grlmfn, at tho ticket window, hardly glanced at tho boy who stood, trembling with anticipation, In tho shadow of tho booth. Tho car came and they cuniuwu in. i-er-haps, as they moved off. Prince Terdlnand William Otto had a qualm, occasioned by tho remembrance of tho English child who had met an untimely end; but If he did ho plucklly hid It. ' "Put your lid on tho lloor of tho car," said Bobby Thorpe, depositing bis own atom thero. "Father sajs If you do that you'ro perfectly safe." Prlnco Ferdinand William Otto divined that this referred to his bat, and drew it. small breath ot relief. And then they wero off, up an endless, clicking roadway, whero ut the top tho car hung for a breathless second over the gulf below; then, fairly launched, out on a trestle, with tho city far beneath them, and only tho red, whlto, and blue lights for company; and Into a tunnel, filled with roaring noises nnd swift-moving shadows. Then came tho end of all things a flying leap down, a heart-breaktng, de lirious thrill, an upward sweep Juat as tho strain was too, great for endurance. "Isn't It bdlly?" shouted the American boy against tho onrush of the wind. "Fine!" shrieked Ills Itoial Highness, and i braced himself for another dip Into the gulf. Abovo tho roaring of tno winu in meir ears neither child had heard tho flying feet of a dozen horses coming down the allee. They never knew that a hatless young lieu tenant, white-lipped with fear, had checked his horso to Its haunches at tho ticket-booth, and demanded to know who was In tha Land . his t and - I of - Desire. Only tho eon of tho manager, ana a-boy. "I want friend of lilz, replied Billy Uriimu, In what ho called tho lingo of tho countrj-. ' hat'u wrong" Lost unj bod) i ' But Iftdwlgii lieutenant had wheeled his hoi so without a word, und. Jumping him over tho hedgo of the allee, wus ort in a despair ing so mil of the outskirts of tho park, fol low! d by his cavalrjmeii As tho last horse le mod tho hedgo nnd dlsaiipcarcd tlio car camo to a stop ut tho plitform. Quivering. Prlnco Ferdinand William utlo reached down for tho despised hat "Would jou llko to go around again?" nsked Hobby, qulto casuilly. His Illghniss gisped with Jo) "If If jou would bo so kind!" hn said. And at tho lordly wivo of Bobbj'r hind, thu c u moved on. CHAPTER III MbUKACKl) A 1' J.IHIIT oelOcl. tltlt CVell.lig tlio XJlCiouii Pnnco 1 erdlnand William Otto approached tho palaco through tho public square. Ho appioachcd It slowly, for two reisons. First, ho did not want to go back. Second, ho was rather frightened. Ho had an Idea that they would bo disagreeable. Thero seemed to bo a great deal going on at tho palace. Carriages wero rolling In under tho stouo archway and. having dlschirgcd thch- contents, mostly gentlemen In uniform, weio moving off with a thundering of hoofs that reechoed from the vaulted roof of the entrance. All the llghtt wero on In the wing whero his grandfather, tho King, lived alono At his grandfather hated lights, nnd went to bed early, 1'rlnco l'erdlnand William Otto was tllghtly puzzled. Ho stood In tho bQUaio and waited for a chalico to slip lu unobserved. Ho was very dirt)-. IIN august face was streaked with soot, and his august hands likewise. His small derby hat was carefully placed on tho very back of ills head ut the unglo of tho American boy's cap. As his collar had scratched his neck, ho had. nt Hobby j suggestion, taken It off and rolled It up Ho decided, as ho waited In tho squjrc, to put It on ugaln. Miss llralth walto was very peculiar about collars. Came a lull In tho lino of carriage.). Prlnco Teidlnand William Otto took a long breath and started forward. An he advanced he stuck his hinds tn his pockets and swag gered a trlfio It was, as nearly as possible, an exact Imitation of Bobby Thorpe's walk. And to keep up his courage, ho quoted that jwing gentleman's farewell speech to him self: "What u" jou care? They won't eat jou, will they?" , At tho entrance to tho archway stood two sentries. They stood us If they wero carved out of wood. Only their cjes moved. And within, In tho court around which the palaco was built, were tho King's bodyguards. Mostly they sat on a long bench and ex changed conversation, whllo ono of them paced back and forth, his gun over his shoul. der. In front of them. Prince Ferdinand William Otto knew them all. More than onco ho had Eccurcd cigarettes from Lieu tenant Larisch and dropped them from one of his windows, which wero Just overhead. They would look straight ahead and not seo them, until the officer's back was turned. Then ono would be lighted and passed along yie lie. Each man would take ono puff and pass fin behind his back. It was great fun. prlnco l'erdlnand William Otto stood In tlio shadow and glanced across. The sentries stood llko wooden men, but something was wrong in the courtyard Inside. Tho guards wero all standing and there seemed to be a great many ot them. And just as ho had mado up his mind to take the plunge, so to speak, a part of his own regi ment of cavalry came out from tho court yard with a thundering of hoofs, wheeled at tho street and clattered off. Very unusual, all of It. Tho CrowniPrlnco Ferdinand William Otto felt In his pocket for his handkerchief, and moistening u corner with his tongue, wiped his face. Then ho wiped his shoes. Then, with his hands lu his trousers pockets, he sauntered Into the light. Now, gentries aro trained to bo lmpasslro. . 'farU'i: r VfM " fiV ""V, ,ti "3 t'h rfV-rf 7 -""t - jV j ' MARY a real triend tor the little Crown 'lho model f a buitiyi:, a wooden soldier. A really good sentry does not sneeze or cough on dutj". Did anj- ono ever seo a sen trj', for Inst nice, wipe his nose." Or twirl his thumbs? or buy a newspaper Cer tainly not. Therefore, tho fvvu sentries mado no sign whin tiny b.iw Ferdinand William Otto ap pro idiinc'. But one of them lorgot to bring his musket to salute. Ho crossed hlmselr Instead. And something strained mound tho other teiiirj'B lower Jaw suddenly relaxed Into a sinllo as His Itojal Highness drew a hand from 111 icfugo und saluted. Hu glanced first ut one, then at tho other, rather shceplshl), hesitated between them, clapped his hat on moro securely and marched hi ' Tlio j oung rase il ' said tho second son trv to himself And by turning his head tlightli for a lentiy loarns to seo nil .Hound llko a hoise, without twisting his neck ho watched tlio runaway Into tho palaci 1'rlnco Firdhiaud Willlim Olto went up thn stone staircase Hero und thero ho passed guards who stand und saluted. Had ho not beeh obsessed with tho vision of Miss Uralth walto ho would havo known that relief fol lowed In his wake Messengers clattered down tho staircase to tho courtyard. Other messengers, breathless and eager, flew to that lighted wlrg whero tho Council sat, and whero the old King, propped up lu bed, waited and tought terror. Tho Archduchess Annunclata was with her father. Across tho corridor tho Council de bated in low toncj. "Tell mo again," said tho King. "How In God's name could it havo happened? In day light, and with all of jou thero!" 'I havo told jou all I I now," said tho Archduchess. Impatient!) ' One moment ho was there. Hedwlg und ho wero making gestures, und I leproved him. Tho next ho was gone. Hedwlg siw hint get up ana go out. falio thought " ."Send for Hedwlg." "sho has retired, fchc was devoted to him and " "Send for her," said tlio King shoitly. The Archduchess Annunlcata went out, Tho old King lay back and his cjes, weary with many years of ruling, of disappointments and bitterness, roved the room They camo to rest ut last on tho photograph of a joung man, which stood on his bedside tablu. Ho was a very joung man. In a uniform. Ho waa bojlsh, and smiling Thero was n dog beside him, und Its head was on his knee. Wherever one stood In tho room, tho cjis of tho photograph gazed at one. The King knew this, and because he w'as quite old, and beciuso thero were few persons to whom u king dares to speak his Inmost thoughts, ho.frequcntl) spoko to tho photograph Tha older he grew, tho moro ho felt, some times, as though It knew what ho said. He had begun to think that death, after all. Is not tho end, but only tho beginning of things. This rather worried him, too, at times. What ho wanted was to lay things down, not to tako them up. "If they've got him." ho said to the pic ture, "it is out ot my hands and Into jours, my boy." Quito suddenly tho door opened. The old man turned Jils head. Just Inside stood a very dirty small boy. The Crown Prlnco Ferdinand William Otto was most terribly frightened. Everything was at blxeu und sevens. Miss Bralthwalte had been crying her head off, and on seeing him had fallen lu a faint. Not that he thought It was a real faint. He had unmis takably seen her eyelids quiver. And when she came to sho had ordered him no supper, and four pages of German translation, and to bed at seven o'clock Instead ot seven thirty for a week. All the time crying, too. And then she had sent him to his grand father, and taken aromatlo ammonia. Ills grandfather raid nothing, but looked at him. "Here hero I am, sir," said tha Crown Prlnco from the door. Tha IClng drew oa)ong breath. But the sllenco persisted. Prince Ferdinand William Otto furtively rubbed a dusty shoe against tlio back ot a trousers leg. "I'm afraid I'm not very neat, elr," said Trlnco Ferdinand William Otto, and tool; a ROl RINEHART N? stcn forward. Until his grandfather ! manded htm, ho could not advance InWM room. "Como here," said tho King. Ho went to the eldo of tho bed, Whcro havo you becnT' "I'm afraid I ran away, sir." "Why?" Prlnco l'erdlnand William Otto cons It was rather an awful moment. "I exactly know. I Just thought I would." You see, It vvaa really extremely dtl To cay that ho was tired of things as.f were would sound ungrateful. Woult!, deed, do quito impolite. Ana then, exs why had lio run aw ay 7 "Suppose," said tho King, "j-ou drawl u chair and tell me about It. Wo'd bet talk It over, I think." His Iloj-al Illgncto drew up n, chair ! sat on It. ills feet not reaching the floe-rv' tw (.WW....U ,..v... a-.wutk IIIU bllilll'lUUit im,M.yq was permissible because, first, tho Kin- f j could not see them frnm t-itn 1,,1 K-nnd.& -J It kept his knees from shaking. t, "Probably you aro aware." said tha Kin. . v "that j-ou havo alarmed a great many pes', :, V mi sorry, sir; i man t unK " ir i "A Prince's duty Is to think." 1"K'Jb "Althoueh." observed Ills rtw.t Ufrhn 'vL&l 1 don't really bellovo Miss BralthwsJtw) Vj tainted, fcho may havo thought sho falnte out ncr cyeuus movco," '. "Whero did jou go?' Mi "To tho park. sir. I I thought I'd tl!N A m to seo tho park by mj'self." 'jj "Go on." ?iv t! "It's very hard to enjoy things with MtiiA 'T a uraunwaitn, sir. bhe does not really enjoy;, , tho things I llko. Nlkky and I" 'tfrj , 11., 'Vll,!.., a.. ......... T !...,- ,tW ' Larisch?" i-,1 "Yes, sir" iW A "uo on." j "Wo llko tho samo things, elr tho Pike, A Pek or Host, rm.l nil that S $ Tho King raised himself on his dberwSfa, -A "What was that?' ho demanded. tW'-S! Tr1n.-. VArn.n. nirillln. ,-.,, U1...C-A.IJ' .....v., . tumuiiu ,,,!!,illl ULIU lflUBHWk and explilned. It WB3 Bobby's namo for thiS peak u t tho top of tho sccnlo railway. Hsm"- g had been on tho rallwaj-. Ho had been MJ"njw enthusiasm carried him away. His cheeku frff A uusuea lie sat forward on tho edge of his--chair und gesticulated Ho had never had tuch u eood time in his life. . 'iV "I waa awfullv hannv. ulr" 1m ntAi9. Tfc sc feels llko fl)ing. only safer. And the lights Cf. are pretty. It's llko fairyland. There were) (Aj two or threA limea whpn If im,H na 1 wA ? 9 'turn over or leap the track. But we dldnt!"'. jg The King lay bade and thought. MolTo'!gfc ; Hut tho occasion demanded a btrontf hand. lJ J 'Vou were happy," ho said. "Tou were dIrM utlu.,-... JWU 1C. O CAUSUI& k,i4a CtlUtlVVX K, and distress and j-ou wero happy! ThoV first duty of a Prince It to Ills country. His i'. first lesson 13 to obey laws. Ho must alwayti "&vl obey certain laws. A King Is but the servant. JA of hid nennle." - s . . "Yes, sir," cald Prince Ferdinand William ft'jH The old King's volco vvas stern. "Someday ll JOU will be the Klntr. You aro belnr tra!nd'nvs for that high office now. And jot you would, ' $1 set tho example of Insubordination, dlsobe- ,fj dlcnce and reckless disregard of tho feelings "Xl of others ' ' r' ..-. . ..... . . -. . .. . ....... . i . - es, sir. sair l'rinco i erumanu vviuuua -.;. Otto, feellnir verv small and ashamed. i'?' "Not only that You slipped away. TOU 13 did not go openlj". You sneaked off, like S M 1 thief Are jou proud of It?" Jr 'M .no. sir- -j "J shall." said tho King, "rcqulro no proBJ. J i&u iioui )uu. j'lomisea uro lloor iningv VX vffV ' hold to I leavo this matter In your omv,l hands. Otto. You will be punished by Mlsa &5 . Bralthwalte. and for tho next ten days) you) fit will not visit me. You may go now." , &$$ Otto got off his chair. He was feeling exeeedlnelv rrushrrl. "finnr! nlifhf. h!i-"1a',-- sald. And waited for his grandfather tmtji '4 extend his hand. But tho old King lay look-ttf Ing straight ahead, with his mouth set Itf-sU i-rlm line I .mil l.lu Itlnil trAAetA .rf . V ."". "- "" "- v. -T-r7i5 urease. c - - 'At tho door tho Crown Pilnco turned m.fJt ;..". bowed His grandfather's eyes were fljstil'tH on tho two gold eagles over the door, but thX photograph on tho table appeared to bo mll-''J Ing at him. . JM CHAPTER IV THE TERROK u NTIL 1 t 4lii nlti ?nnA.1 TirtlUk'.' and tho King talked together. Tos?" King had been lifted trom his bed and ., .' propped In a great chair. Above his shabby fip- drisslng gown his faco showed gaunt and old. .2 ' . In a straight chair facing htm sat his oldJ friend und Chancellor. " vjy "What it nan shown is not entirely baa, ' sk said thn King, after a pauso. "Tho boy hasZ?,V ... ...... .... ......... .... ....w..,. VW.V ..J slon. Ho Is essentially truthful." ty "What it has also shown, sire, is that nows protection Is enough. When I, who loro the 3K lad, and would and when I could, sleep and ,"' j let him get awaj-, us I did " WPt "Tho truth IV said tho King, "wo arba ,M ui ua senilis, uiu. og laiijjsi mul ny :j gnarled tlngern on tha blanket that lay oTtiS' 3 his knees. "Tho truth Is also." he obiiiwftgf, 2 n .-m,nl Ifit.r- ''that thn hnv 111, VAW Cam 1 i 3 Dleasures. Ho Is alono a great deal.'- aW-? nl General Mtttlieh raised his sham haaut .: '. Many jcars of wearing a soldier's cap haf.s&'irt .. I..I......1 1.1- t.ann. .. h.U XSm JrVt. 3 live lujuicu ...a ,i j am; ..,,. im iya iy t bristling ejebrows, whlto now, and a short,.-,V fighting mustache. i. When ho was Irritated, or disagreed wHA' ...... I.t- .1..I.H... ..-M.. . MHjl Mu jl ' uuy OIL, Ills i-jcuiuHa CU.II.U uv.tu m-it fcn. . mustacnq went up. -ft: .uuuy 3 cam lu ussuciuiiuu wiui mv laiwt' j.w had given him the right to talk to him. M.J. 1 man to man. They even quarreled now mfr'A mill II WUS U UUIU man uv nuuiu ijuaMy-j, .:' rel with old Ferdinand II. . 4 I. 1.1 1-n-lnnn.l TT Cl.IV J bo now- his ejebrows cams down cnAibMZ mustache went up. "How alone, sirr Wi&j "You do iut regard that bigoted EnftWv. 7 w oman as a companion, do j ouV" ' A"- 1 "Hn la attnchei! to her." TfV "I'm damnid If I know why," observed tin Hj old King, "tho doesn't appear to hav,t ulndo human nualltv." & ... a Human quality! General Mettllch oye,;, l.lj l-ln.- eilth roiii-ern. Hlnrn whe.n had thf ' reigning family demanded human qualttlei i t f In tucir governesses. one is u mougavurr und conscientious woman, sire," lie sW -., stiffly. It happened that he had seleotV. '. her "She does her duty. And as to the pa ;, being lonely ho has not tlmo to bo lonlJi His tutors " !. "How old Is ho?" v gZ, 'Ten next month." V?i ThtTKIng said nothing for a time. Itmit1 "It H hardi ho said at last, 'Tor sevcartrtf four to seo with tho eyes of ten. Aa for tnfcyj, , afternoon why In the' name of a, thouaajM'.? devils did they take him to see tha "mykft: it Dutchman?' I detest It." K 2l "Her lloyal Hlinessy-" '"4j?' -tununciuiu is u loui i saiu ria iimjajau Then, dismissing his daughter with a gMtuM "Wo don't know how to ralsa our chlMrd here," ho said Impatiently, "Tha English m better. And even tho Germans " W, It Is not etiquette to lower one's eyet nt u King and glare. But General M did It. Ho was rather a poor subject. -t Germans have not our problem, slre,"lhaj and stuck up his mustache. V,J$ "I'm not going to raiso uiai ooy oner." Insisted the King, stubbornly. have to bo very stubborn about thing. ' many people disapprove of tho tb,latf?i want to do. XnJ 'Suddenly General Mettllch bent rc and placed a hand on the old manV. "We shall do well, sire." na saia. "to raiso ma ooy at uu. ,'. Continued in Monday's Evening Public v 15 X- v VA 'hhi -?J ,-? ii?"jUifc r V&dJ38&2L!&'i& '? s- h. l.?i". it? - - li'.- ;'., i. m- isr J p.s. .;.- ttj mti .,-H.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers