The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1912-04-26

unsupported. II might not be a bad
move TO give him the opportunity. IL
would Increase the chances for them
to make a blunder I determined TO
risk T..
The only restriction touching Mrs.
Spencer Is the order Of the military
governor" | answered ~ you can
induce her TO acknowledge the falsifv
OF that certificate. she shall be free
to resume her journey. and JOY 20
with her.
lie went over 10 the door then re-
turned and. leaning on the back OF 4
chair. looked nj me thoaghtfully.
There is matter. cousin he ba-
can. which las been on my mind
lately-and this may bc rs good a
times rs any Ia take IL up"
nodded Go ahead-we are +. the
humor for condolences this afternoon.
it seems"
And for plain Sreaking:" he asked.
Between men I'm always for that
said |. ITS the safest i'm the end.
Drive ahead. and make ii rs plain as
you like"
III do il. he said. What I want 10
know is-first do You intend 10 try 10
diSplace me in the line Of succession.
and second. are yor n sutton for the
land of the princess royalE"
Ii would have been impossible 10 hide
my surprise, 40 made NO effort. Sure
~ this mans methods were almost be-
yond comprehension.
My dear duke" replied. your
questions are plain, and Il plain answer
will DO for both. 1t is none OF your
business"
He laughed. by which | infer yop
decline TO answer"
Precisely"
He tossed away his cigar and slowly
lit another.
"Of course. Armand. that is your
privilege; but. then. you must pardon
the further inference that TO decline To
answer is really TO answer ia the af-
tirmative."
You are responsible for your infer
ences. not l. | replied curtly.
He leaned bit forward LET us
take up my first question:" he said.
Have you ever considered what You
were likely To encounter If you under
took 10 fitch the crown? DO you think
that l. who have been the heir pre-
sumptive since the instant OF my birth
almost, will calmly step aside and per-
nit you<o take my place.
| looked at him indifferently and
made no answer.
do YOU fancy for an instant" he
went on. that the people of Valeria
would have foreigner for king:"
| shrugged mysshoulders.
And even If Old Frederick were 10
become So infatuated with you that he
would restore you TO Hugo's place i'm
the line OF succession do you imagine
that the house of mobiles would hesitate
To annul il the instant he diedT
From the~wrtten words one might
well infer that he spoke loudly and In
open anger. whereas. I'm fact. his face
was smiling and his voice was even
more soft than usual. Ii behooyed me
TO meet him in kind.
As you seem To have been doing my
thinking. cousin, perhaps YOU have also
thought out my answers. IL YOU have
| shall be glad 10 hear them Ii will
save me The labor of thinking them out
for myself"
His smile broadened. THE only Ia
boz can promise TO save you. cousin,
is that of being king
Il fear ii is bit early for me 10
choose my prime minister | said.
His smile became laugh. Let us
pass TO my second question. IL. how
ever. demands no thinking There Is
ample evidence of your intention as To
he princess"
Then why ask it?' I inquired.
Because of her intention toward you
am not 50 sure-but women are queer
Features and prone To take queer
rockets You aim 10 marry her and so,
having won the king and stolen my
'irthright. 10 use her popularity 10 Sc
.ure you ON the throne"
II suppose | am very stupid" said.
but | don't quite understand why. IL
'ou feel SO about the princess. you Of
cred 10 aid me in getting rid OF Mrs
spencer
Pure selfishness. cousin. have
aiken liking TO the lady myself"
Then ut least | may thank you for
our selfishness." | sneered
He smiled. then turned and looked at
lie clock on the mantel behind him.
Come. Armand" he said. Il must
Re going. Will you condescend to an
wer:'
| arose.
You won't? Well. it's not really nee
ssary-but have you dice boxg'
Il have not"
"A pack Of cards, them
NO
He shrugged his shoulders. This
Ill serve, though it's rather low class"
nd he took out gold coin and rang