Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1912-03-28
The Salute of a Friend.

sparkle OF jewels and Snlm-
mer of silk on ariStocratic woman: the
same clank of spur and rattle of sword
and brilliancy of uniform on official
man.
Courtney had long ago become famil-
lar with it all, and | in my details and
travels had seen enough to make me
lndliferently easy at least We had tar
ried overtime With the king, and so
We're the last to reach the hall Scarce
ly We're we there when his majesty
and the princess royal We're announced
and between the ranks of bowling
guests they passed to the throne
My whole attention was given to the
princess. 1t was my first good view of
her since the day l had acted as substi-
tute groom. For the bad few min
utes lately passed had been given over
to labial and mental sensations to the
exclusion of the ocular She was lit
tie changed from my lady Of the for
est; only a bit more roundness to the
figure and maturity in the face, par
ticularly about the set of the mouth
when in repose. Otherwise she was
the same charming woman who had
smiled me into subsection six years be-
fore
When it came our turn the king
seemed to make it point to greet ME
with marked cordially. 1t was noticed
to the court that had the royal ia
vor.
Then, with the quiet aside: "It's all
explained" he passed me over to the
princess.
She was talking with Courtney, and
turned and met me with smile.
Let us shake hands and be friends,
cousin" she said
The graciousness of the gesture was
plain enough to the whole room, but
the words reached only Courtney and
me.
Il don't deserve it, cousin" l said,
but l took her hand, none the less.
Then, after a word more we gave
place to those that followed us. But,
as | bowed away she said low: "The
sixth dance, cousin"
-hiiu 81 Knew my peace was made.
looked for some banter from Court
ney, but there was none; only bit of
a smile under the gray mustache.
What he said was:
Come; let us circle the room and
see whom we know
We know none, if I'm to do the
knowing" l said.
queer state of affairs" he reflected;
the true heir presumptive, yet a
stranger in the court"
"Oh, drop that nonsense!" / said.
Don't be an ass, Courtney, and don't
play me for one either"
A lift of the eyebrows was his an
swer, but Courtney could say much
that way.
Its not a bad sort of occupation
being king" he reflected.
l ignored him.
And you could fill the place quite
as we'll as Ferdinand Of Lotzen,'' he
went on.
You will be Offering presently to
wager that I'll be the next king Of
Valeria," l scoffed.
with the proper odds I'd risk it,
Name Them
mo, not yet he said, but I'll go
you five thousand even, now, that you
marry the princess royal"
This court atmosphere seems to go
to your head"
THAT has nothing to do with the
wager" he insisted
"I'll not take YOU" / said.
All this talk as we made our way
through the crowd was interrupted at
intervals while Courtney greeted those
he knew and presented me. They We're
mainly of the diplomatic corps, and if
they noted the coincidence Of my name
and Dalberg features they were adopts
enough not to show it; not so, however
with some of the elderly Valerian dig
nitaries and army officers. They were
very evidently surprised and curious,
and very shortly it was plain l was
full observation
Then the band bared out into
waltz and the crowd drew away from
the center of the floor. l expected the
real heir presumptive to lead out the
princess. l admit | was curious to
see him. Report made him very able
young fellow, and his pictures showed
a goodly figure Instead, however,
some one in colonel's uniform was
her partner to open the dance. turn
ed to Courtney interrogatingly.
at is Prince Charles, Lotzen's broth
er," he explained.
"And the duke?" asked
Still with the army, suppose"
] danced the next number with
Lady Helen, the youngest daughter of
Lord Radnor. the British ambassador
We We're old friends after the modern
fashion. I had met her in Washington
some four or five years before while on
staff duty, and we had danced and
dined ourselves into each others re-
gard. Then Lord Radnor was trans
nes.