The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1912-04-06
"Drive on, old man. I'm all attention"

this: The king has asked me to accept
the titles of old Hugo and to take my
place mt court"
Courtney drew out his cigarette case,
he selected one and slowly lit 1t. !
knew his way and waited patiently.
"And Lotzen and the crown 2" he said
presently.
"Do you care for the whole story"
asked.
Eyes; let me have 1t ALL" And. set
Ting 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 well as l could remember
Frederick's exact language, describing
| his attitude toward me and his evident
desire In the matter.
1T seems to me-" he said, "the mat
ter Is wholly one Of personal inclina
ton, with no obligation upon you to de-
eide 1t upon any other basis. There
fore the first question is simply this;
Which do you prefer to bean Amerl
can officer and citizen or Valerian
archduke?"
"That is just what don't know"
said l.
WELL would it be any easier to an
swer IL l were to add, with a chance
for the CROWN"
THAT complexities it even more. l
think"
He 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
proposition" he said can American
officer or an archduke.'"
IF l accept" said l, Il shall play for
all the stakes"
"You have lost several hours of sleep
tonight, my dear major, very needless
ly," he said. "You know quite well
you will accept Frederick's offer"
"Do you advise me to accept?" I de-
manded.
do you fancy would advise you to
do anything elser
you say that as my best friend"
persisted.
II do. And more, I urge it. And
then" he went on" you can throw it
all over and come back to us II you get
tired Of your new job"
But I'm too old to learn a new pro-
! fession." I objected.
, "a new profession?" he questioned.
! l nodded. "The profession of being
: an archduke."
IF l might judge by the birthday
! ball." he laughed, you will have very
little to learn"
cannot say If a good nights rest
had anything to do with 1t, but when
D | awoke my mind was made up, and
i was ready to give answer to the king.
e 1t CHANGED that Courtney and met ut
= breakfast-the American customs as to
meals prevailed at the embassy-and
t had the room to ourselves, possibly be-
e cause we were very late and the day
t was very charming.
l "Well," said he, II see you've made
4 your decision. Which gets 1t, Valeria
t or American
Behold prospective archduke"
said l.
He arose and, hand over heart, bow
. ed low. ~ salute your royal highness"
{ he said.
| \
ridiculous" and turned to my mail.
The letters lay face downward Of
course, and opened them In their or
, der without bothering to examine the
: superscriptions. Presently came upon
one sealed with blurred dab of green
wax. Rather curious, l turned it over.
, 1t was unstamped and was marked,
Personal and important" I did not
know the handwriting; but, then, Lady
: Helen Radnor's was the only one in all
: Dornlitz 1 could have known.
, Here" said to Courtney, sis a let
, ter marked personal and important
tossed It over.
He glanced languidly at the envelope,
then picked it up quickly and scruti-
} nized 1t sharply. Then he motioned
, for the servant to return 1t to me.
: knew he had recognized the writ
ing and that 1t called for more respect
than careless fling across the table.
| / broke the seal and drew out the let
ter. 1t bore the royal arms over the
word Dornlitz. Beneath II read:
My Dear Cousin--His majesty has told
me of the meeting In the library this
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.
l read 1t slowly q second time and
then third time, wondering the while
whether l should show 1t to Courtney.
' "You know who wrote thisT" asked.
, 81 know who wrote the address"
q "Then know the note also," said l.
' and read 1t to him.
i His face was quite expressionless as
| read, but at the end he gave tho
: faintest nod Of approval. IF that does
not hold you to the task you are he
stopped. you ought to be proud to
J.. be her cousin" he ended.
;. 1 spent the balance Of the day ar
J. ranging the affairs Of my Office to the
end that could instantly sever all
n official relations with the American
Il government, and, so assume my new