The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1912-05-03

what would be my chances against
Lotzen?' / asked
You could kill him easily" said
Moore
I've had a visit from the duke this
afternoon" l said. and / told them
the entire interview.
1T would be just as we'll for your
highness to wear a steel vest" said
Bernheim. Its very handy to turn a
knife or revolver bullet"
l laughed. "Of course steel vests are
such ordinary articles of attire they
can be purchased in any shop"
"Pll supply the vest" he answered,
''if your highness will use it,
at seems absurd" declared.
Its wise precaution, sir" Moore
urged.
lone might suppose we were back in
the days of the Guises," said. How
ever, bring your coat of mail around
tonight and III look it over But, |
warn you, it will have to be a very
snug ft.'
Il will answer for that also" said
Bernheim.
Later in the afternoon I rode over to
the field of Mars, a huge piece of
ground on the lake front, for the even
ing parade of the cuirassierS of the
guard. This was their one hundred
and fiftieth anniversary, and on every
one Of them it had been the unbroken
custom for the then governor of Dorm
litz to be present and pass the regi-
ment in review, saving, Of course, In
war time, when it Glanced to be in
active service in the field.
The crowd OF spectators was enor-
nous. In front were the carriages OF
the aristOcracy OF the capital, and as |
gallOped down TO take post after the
review | could not but wonder how
many of all that crowd regarded me
with q friendly eye. Behind me clat-
tered brilliant staff, and In my hand
was the baton Of marshal, yet never
IN my life had | felt so utterly alone as
at that moment.
Then the great band Of the regiment
blared out, and l settled myself for the
ud(Cu by.
When it was over and the last troop
had broken into column and had trot-
ted away | dismissed my staff, except
Moore, and rode across to where l had
noticed Lady Helen Radnor.
IF you were not a prince / would
not speak to you she said as | dis
mounted. II have not seen you for
ages"
I've been very busy. l did not i'm
agine you would miss me- | said and
glanced at her left hand
She laughed and held it up. THE
finger is quite bare she said. but I'll
take off the glove if you wish"
I'm sorry" l said. lie is such
good chap"
She raised her eyebrows. DO you
know" she said slowly. and looking
at me hard the while, Il was foolish
enough to think, very long ago, that
you III ener liked me. yourself"
"And it's just because | do that
hoped the finger wasn't BARE l an
swered
1 turned just as Courtney came up.
May l intrude, your royal high
ness?" he asked.
Come along" said l. Lady Helen
wants to hear some gossip, and
don't know any"
A bit of a smile came into his eyes
And that, though you are, yourself,
the most gossiped about individual in
Dornlitz,' he answered.
Another penalty of my new estate"
said l. THE butt of all and the con-
fidant of none"
Courtney tapped my baton. Have
you noticed, Lady Helen, what a
steady run of hard luck our friend.
here. has had ever since be came to
Valeria?' he asked.
Indeed 1 have" said she, land I've
been so sorry for him"
Then she nodded most pleasantly to
someone. and Courtney and l turned
and bowed. 1t was the Marquise de
Vierle. wife Of the French ambassador.
How about her masque tonight? /
asked. "Will it be worth while?"
Its very evident you are new to
DornlitZ." Courtney observed. and
Lady Helen laughed.
The Vierle balls outrival even the
court functions she explained
Are you going?" l asked her.
Il am, indeed
And you, CourtneyT
81 shall look in late"
l motioned TO Moore. "Who Is on
duty tonight?" / asked.
Il am, sir"
Gould you manage two costumes
for the Vierle masqueT
quite readily, sir
VERY good" | said And let them
be as near alike as possible" added.
By this time the field was almost de-
serted, and at Lady Helen's suggestion
Courtney and l turned our horses over
to my orderly and drove back with
hex.