Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1912-04-04
Drive on, old man. I'm all attention, 2

pace at court"
Courtney drew out his cigarette case,
ne selected one and slowly lit it.
knew his way and waited patiently.
And Lotzen and the crowD?. he said
presently.
DO you care for the Whole story?" l
asked.
Yes; let me have it all And. set
tihg back in his chair. he closed his
eyes and prepared to listen.
Then ! told him everything of the
meeting with the king in his library,
repeating as we'll as | could remember
trederick's exact language, describing
his attitude toward me and his evident
desire in the matter.
1T seems TO me- he said. 1.-THE mat
ter is wholly one of personal incina-
tion, With no obligation upon YOU to de-
clde 1T upon any other basis. There
lore the first question is simply this:
Which do you prefer to bean Ameri-
can officer and citizen or Valerian
archdule?"
That is just what l don't know
said L.
We'll, would it be any easier to an
sWer II | We're to add, With chance
for the CROWN"
That complexities it even more.
think
lie looked at ME hard for moment.
knew he was thinking of the prin.
cess. and | shook my head.
Better look at it only on the first
Inn L.,
officer or an archduke'
III accept" said l, Il shall play for
all the stakes"
You have lost several hours of sleep
tonight my dear major, very needless
W he said. ''You know quite we'll
you will accept Frederick's offer"
do you advise me to accept? ?" I de-
manded.
do YOU fancy would advise YOU to
do anything else?"
You say that as my best friendY, I
persisted.
do And more, urge it. And
Them he went on" you can throw it
all over and come back to US If you get
tired Of your new job"
But I'm too old to learn new pro-
fession," l objected.
"A new profession?" he questioned.
/ nodded. 'The profession of being
an arcbduke"
IF might judge by the birthday
ball" he laughed, you will have very
little to learn"
l cannot say If good nights rest
had anything to do with it, but when
awoke my mind was made IN. and
was ready to give answer to the king.
1t CHANGED that Courtney and met at
breakfast-the American customs as to
meals prevailed at the embassy-and
had the room to ourselves, possibly be-
cause we were very late and the day
was very charming
WELL" said he, II see you've made
your decision. Which gets 1t, yaleria
or America ~
Behold prospective archduke!
said l.
He arose and, hand over heart, bow
ed low. II salute your royal highness!"
he said
"Nonsensew l exclaimed. "Don't be &
ridiculous" and turned to my mail.
The letters lay face downward of
course, and j opened them in their or
der without bothering to examine the
Presently came upon
one sealed with blurred dab of green
wax Rather curious, turned it over.
1t was unstamped and was marked,
Personal and important" l did not
know the handwriting; but, then, Lady
Helen Kadnors was the only one In all
Dornlitz could have known
Here" said to Courtney, sis let
ter marked personal and important"
tossed it over.
He glanced languidly at the envelope,
then picked it up quickly and scruti-
nized it sharply. Then he motioned
for the servant to return 1t to me.
l knew he had recognized the writ
ing and that it called for more respect
than a careless fling across the table.
| broke the seal and drew out the let
ter. 1t bore the royal arms over the
word Dornlitz. Beneath 1t read:
My Dear Cousin-1is majesty has told
me OF the meeting in the library this
morning. l know l have no right to med
die, but won't you please accept and come
back to your own? The king wants you.
We shall welcome you with all our hearts.
Come Armand! DEHRA
read it slowly a second time and
then third time, wondering the while
whether | should show it to Courtney.
You know who wrote this?" asked.
Il know who wrote the address,"
Then know the note Also" said I.
and read it to him.
His face was quite expressionless as
i read. but at the end he gave the
faintest nod of approval. eff that does
not hold you to the task you are he
stopped. you ought to be proud to
be her cousin" he ended.
l spent the balance Of the day ar
ranging the affairs of my Office to the
end that could instantly sever all
fip1 O1rAs u.