Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1912-05-16

~, ~ =
l lunched with the king and the
Princess Dehra as, arranged. Fred
erick left before the Coffee. and Dehra
ordered 1t served III her library When
the footman had brought.it she dis
missed him.
Now" said she. come and tell mo
all about yourself"
went over and sat on the arm Of
her chair. Then ! said, Tell me about
Lotzens visit with you in the north"
She said. II feel very sorry for Fer
dinandr" Then she blushed. II think
he does love me. Armand"
II can't blame him for that" said I.
Hes a queer sort II he doesn't"
"Foolish!' she laughed, giving me a
little tap with her fan. And you sec.
dear he might have had chance II
you had not come"
I bent down until her hair brushed
my face. s,y
And he has none now, sweetheart1"
! said softly.
You know that he has not
And does he know IT."
Yes; he knows 1t now. told him
the day he left"
was beginning to understand Lot.
zen's sudden change Of demeanor to
ward me.
What did you tell him, little .wo-
man? "I asked.
She looked up with bright smile.
told him it was you," she whis-
pered.
The understanding was growing rap
idly.
And what did lie say to that?"
Il know, Armand, you don't like him.
and, there. you may do him an intus-
tice. He said only the kindest things
about you; that you were able, cour.
teous, brave, a true Dalberg, and that.
II 1t could not be he, he was glad Il
was you"
l smiled. THAT was clever Of him"
l commented.
And he, too, does not believe the
Spencer woman's story"
His cleverness grows" I laughed.
ut only remains for him to renounco
his right to the crown
He said 1t was for the king to
choose which was the worthier and
that If 1t fell to you he would serve
you faithfully and WELL"
"And you believed him, dearrs I
asked.
Yes: believed him. I wanted 20
believe him. Did he deceive me7'
Listen" said l, and 1 told her what
had happened ut the lnasque.
"Of course you will tell tho king
said she.
Maybe" said I. "1'ye not decided
yet"
She got up. "There is just time To-
me to get into riding Dress" she said.
But, first, this is Thursday. II you
do not tell his ajesty. of Lotxen's Per
tidy by Saturday shall do 1t myself"
And knew she would So I made
no protest.
It was beautiful afternoon. The
road was soft and the track smooth.
Much Of 1t led through woodland and
along brawling stream. The horses
were of the sort that delight the soul.
l doubt II there were six better sad
dlers In the whole kingdom Of Valera.
I know there were no prettier wo-
men and, think, no happier men.
The Inn Of the Twisted Pines was
an old log and plaster building, Of 4
many gables and small windows,
standing back trife from the road,
with high walled yard on all four
sides. had taken the precaution
that morning to dispatch an orderly
to apprise the landlord Of our coming,
and every human being about the
place was drawn up within the On.
closure to greet us. X
My mouth waters now at the thought
Of the food we had at the inn. But 40
we ate there came through the open
window the clatter OF horses hoofs.
The door swung open, and my senior
aid entered, hot and dusty.
He caught my eye, halted sharply.
and his hand went up In salute.
Welcome, Colonel Bernhein,D I
said
Again he saluted; then drew out IN
envelope and handed It to me.
important papers for your high.
ness" he said. .'They were received
at headquarters after your departure.
and as they required action tonight I
thought It best to follow you
With word Of apology ! walked
over to the nearest window and alow-
II read the letters. There were two,
and they were very brief. Than ~
read them again and yet again.
Those at the tnble had. Of course, n.
sumed their talk, but Bernheim tin
stood 1t attention. motione1 I'm :
to me. SIS
These arc copies I 80
Il made them. ~. from -
mails while they 80 xoll( d. 11I 4
added, With 4 dry smile
And the originals -
Each wa delivered ssssss
You have rs d6ule u RI ts ii111iIif 81
ineness7'' q a1kat
= bsolptel npns s8iI q