The Julesburg grit-advocate., 1912-05-02

move To give him the opportunity. le
would increase the chances for them
t, make a blunder. l determined to
risk 1t.
The only restriction touching Mrs.
| Spencer is the order OF the military
governor" l answered "Jf you can
/ induce her to acknowledge the faisity
of that certificate. she shall be free
to resume her journey. and JOY 20
with her"
lie went over to the door, then re-
turned and, leaning on the back Of u
chair. looked at me thouchtfully
There is Il matter. cousin,' he be
gan. (which has been Oh my mind
lately-aId this may he as good IA
times as any to take it up"
| | nodded. Go ahead-we are iE the
humor for condolences this afternoon,
1t seems
And for plain speaking:" he asked.
between men I'm always for that"
said l. ITS the safest in the end
Drive ahead. and make 1t as plain as
you like"
''rll do it," he said what l want to
know is-tirst, do you intend to try to
displace me in the line Of succession.
and second, are you II suitor for the
hand of the princess royal
1t would have been impossible to hide
my surprise. SO made no effort Sure
ly this mans methods We're almost be-
yond comprehension.
My dear duke" l replied, "your
questions are plain, and plain answer
a
| business"
He laughed. by which infer you
decline to answer"
Precisely"
He tossed away his cigar and slowly
lit another.
"Of course, Armand, that Is your
privilege: but, then, you must pardon
the further Inference that to decline to
answer is really to answer In the af-
tirmative."
You are responsible for your infer
ences. not L." replied curtly.
He leaned bit forward. LET Us
take up my first question:" he said.
Have you ever considered whit you
were likely to encounter II you under
took to iilch the crown? DO you think
that |, who have been the heir pre-
sumptive since the instant Of my birth
almost, will calmly step aside and per-
NIT you to take my place."
l looked at him indi6srently and
made no answer
DO you fancy for an instant" he
went on, that the people of Valeria
would have a foreigner for kingr'
shrugged my shoulders.
"And even If old Frederick were to
become so infatuated with you that he
would restore you to Hugo's place In
the line OF succession do you imagine
that the house of mobiles would hesitate
to annul 1t the instant he diedT'
From the written words one might
we'll infer that he spoke loudly and in
was smiling and bis voice was even
more soft than usual. It behooved me
to meet him In kind.
AS you seem to have been doing my
thinking. cousin, perhaps you have also
thought out my answers. II you have
shall be glad to hear them. It will
save me the labor Of thinking them out
for myself"
His smile broadened. "Ths only Ia
Dor l can promise to save you, cousin,
Is that of being king"
81 fear 1t L. a bit early for me to
choose my prime minister" l said.
His smile became Z laugh. "Let us
pass to my second question It. bow
ever, demands no thinking. There u
ample evidence Of your intsntion - TO
the princess"
Then why ask itr' inquired.
Because of her intention toward you
am not so sure-but women are queer
creatures and prone to take queer
crochets. You aim to marry bar and SO.
having won the king and stolen my
birthright to use her popularity to Sc
cure you on the throne"
II suppose am very stupid" I said.
but l don't quite understand why, II
you feel so about the princess, you Of
fered to aid me in getting rid Of Mrs..
Spencer"
pure selnshness, cousin have
taken liking to the lady myself"
Then at least may thank you for
your selflshnesa." sneered.
| lie b"lleO, lAOA t0i lieu uhu aooAO0 -
the clock on the mantel behind him.
Come, Armand" he said. II must
be going. VIII you condescend to an
swer?'
| arose.
"You won't? Well, it's not really nee
essary-but have you a dice boxT'
II have not
"A pack Of cards, thanY'
NO
He shrugged his shoulders. This
will serve. though it's rather low class"
and he took out gold coin and rang
It on the table You were an Ameri-
can officer, and I understand they are
as game a lot Of men as wear swordA
Will you bear that out and try . toss
with meI"
| tba u-o uar 7 ouLoI