The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-01-20
come with the message have been

come with the message have been expecting" .=.,.....s Queen. who smiled. .--.
 Are all Americans like your" she asked, repeating her question of the afternoon. If so, should like.to bor> row a few for my household" Then growing serious. she said. "Sir, your Consul has probably not even. heard of your arrest. We keep these things to ourselves stn our country. It saves many explanations. have heard of your reason for striking the Duke, Tell me- what do you know about Queen AliciaT"
 "Only that she is a beautiful-one Of the most beautiful I have ever seen," he said, with boyish frankness and looking into her eyes. Besides saw you yesterday with your women in the poor quarter, giving aims"
 z The Queen shrugged her shoulders as she replied: Even Alicia cannot be butterfly all the time"
 The American continued: The point Is that you are woman and your name must not be banded in public drinking places We do not like such things in America, where every wo- man has every man for a champion. | And so," he said, as simply as a boy, 'I struck the Duke. What else could do. sir?" he asked, speaking to the Count.
 ''The man is right" Stephen said. That is the way of Americana
 The Queen looked earnestly at the prisoner and then said. more soberly than was her wont: sir. thank you l for all this; and to show you that the woman for whose fair name you risk ed your life. also has a woman's heart, I came here. Your Consul could not reach you, certainly not in time, and then there would be only an explan- ation. untrue, perhaps, but we'll at- tested Sir. believe me, had not come. the next sunrise would have been your last. You sec" she said, smiling wistfully, as she had not done oven in childhood. T am trying to make you thank me as have thanked you"
 q do thank you. Your Majesty" said the American with a warmth of feel ing which illuminated his clear-cut features. q did not think was in such a hole. But when may I go"'
 Now" said the Queen, and to- morrow I will make out Coloners commission for you. We need more Of your kind in our army. sir.
 q appreciate the honor Your Ma jesty would confer on me. but I must sail on Saturdays steamer" he said.
 "I am sorry" said the Queen with the deepest sincerity in her voice "But sir. twould be but sorry free dom I offer you If you may not use IL in your own way. Go, sir, if you so will" To the Count. she said. T charge you. Count Stephen. to give free and an honorable conduct to this gentleman across our border. Do 1t as you prize my friendship '1 shall ask YOU both to accompany me back to tho naface. Please follow" and as she passed out, followed by the two men she smoke a few words in a low voice tn the guard. Not another word was snoken again until they had reached inc main entrance of the palace There tbe Queen. standing on the marble stairway, turned to the American and taking from her finger a ring, she handed 1t to him. saying: Take this sir as A passport, and as memento oi a woman who was grateful for having met A true man." Holding out hel hand. she added. tremulously. "Go now. and God bless you-and remem' , her Alicia Then to the Count, she said "Remember. Count Stephen f Free and honorable conduct, as yol , value my friendship You may go' The queen stood watching the two tall figures fade away in tho shadows } of the night, and as their forms disap
 neared, she murmured: "Tomorrov there will be a wedding, and my dea
 Louise will be the Duchess of Lorde
 val" and she laughed her musica
 malicious laugh. as she passed througl
 the great doors of the palace.