The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-07-26

in end the expenses of the household and of the King made sums 50 great that sven Frederique knew they could not be met from their small Income. She confronted Rosen with her dtscov- cry.
 He turned pale and muttered the words. duty" gratitude" aud res toration."
 Duke" said Frsderique, "the King cannot take back what he has once given. And the Queen must not be malntained like a dancer"
 Tears sparkisd In the old mans eyes. ''pardonl Pardonw said he. T beg Your Majesty to accept t. Who would even suspect it? Who would dream that the money comes from the old niiser RosenY' A
 Bnt the Queen remained infsxible. E On the very next day the greater part of the retinue of servants were dis- missed. the carriages and horses were sold and rigid economy was begun.
 To Fredertque's sprprise. Christian did not object, nor did he appear to be inconvenienced by the sudden cut ting of the supply of gold. The myss tery was soon explained. however. ff was not long before all Paris was amusing itself over a thriving trade in Ilxrian orders and decorations. Gem erai Rosen quietly took of his cross of the Legion of Honor one day when he found that barber on the Boule- yard des Capucines was wearing one for which he had paid l5.000 francs.
 The secret agent who conducted this traffic for the King soon conceived Q scheme that promised him a fortune. It was to lure Christian Into signing the renunciation of the title to the crown after all. "He is sure to sign 1t some day" said this agent. who fa raF Fraa of Tom Lewis. Let him get heavily into debt and he win snatch pen. So it Is for us to involve him. Then. when he Is forced into a corner. we shall have played our cards but i'll if we do not get a great part of the two hundred miIiionn"
 .Ths cards.s to which the high-mind- cd Tom referred consisted of his wife. sophora. woman who concealed a heart of ice and a plotting, diaholical brain under the pure, beautiful face of a Madonna--a woman who had in her features the tempting timidity of an oriental slave with sioping pronle. arn- bar tints of skin. straight eyebrows and parted. rich, red lips that gave an Asiatlc look to this Parisian woman.
 No sooner had the King seen her than he was in love with her. But he found a new and surprising thing. He who had been accustomed to see eyes. lips and hearts come out to his royal person, was permitted by Sephora to dance attendance on her without gain ing even q smile. His Slovenian na" ture enjoyed this novel sensation. Then hIE seIf-love became enlisted. Being stiiI kept at arms length. his desire grew to a genuine passion.
 When the royal fish was well hooked the Iady reiented slightly. Bit by bit he was lured on till all Paris knew that he had installed her in magnih- cent mansion and had raised her to the rank of Countess of SpaIato. Her hus- band. said Paris. had ned to England to hide his shame. Tn fact. Tom Lewis sat quietly enjoying life in the country while his associates advanced to the King, on notes at ruinous interest. the great sums that he demanded for his Countess.
 That the Queen knew not only of this but of all else of which the King was guilty, none could fail to perceive But never by word or act did she be- tray her Knowledge. One day she asked the tutor to break some stones from the IIlyrlan crown which she had carried with her to exile; and Meraut did so and took them away to sell for her He returned soon with pale face and told her that the gems were haste. They both knew what 1t meant. The King had taken the real Jewels and suuandered them
 At last the wlles of Sephora were on 1 the edge of success. The King had borrowed money till he knew that there must be an end. He agreed to renounee the crown and went home 10 draw up the document.
 Warned by a faithful adherent, Fred erique came upon him. but not before his signature was attached to 1t. When sii her prayers were vain, she threat ened to kill herself and the young Prince. "If you do not burn what you have signed" said she, and swear on the cross that you win not do it again. your race ends here"
 surrendering In impotent weakness, Christian burned the document. Despite her contempt of the King. the Queen was forced to take him into her confidence again very soon; for the time came when all was ready for hlow that ahe had prepared with