The Eureka sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1902-current, 1912-04-06


tention.
of his descendants had been specifically
preserved by royal decree you would
accept our offerf"
"Yes," said l. "or. at least I would
give it serious consideration" I added,
with a laugh.
The king turned slowly and for a
space kept his eyes fixed steadily on
my face, as though searching there for
an answer to something about which
his mind was undecided. Have you
ever had a monarch or one high In
authority look at you so? If you have
you are likely to remember 1t many
days.
Then he arose abruptly and, crossing
to q large vault built in a far corner,
returned with a heavy black box curl
ously bound with brass and inlaid with
silver. Placing it on the table between
us, he took from his watch chain a
small antique key, and, pushing 1t with
a queer side motion into the lock, it
opened with a sharp snap, and he threw
back the lid. Then he lifted out a thick
leather covered book with heavy metal
hinges.
He shot a quick glance at me as he
opened the book and began to urn the
heavy parchment pages, which l could
see were illumined in beautiful colors
and with strange, large lettering.
Presently these ended, and the char
acters seemed to be in ancient script,
which gradually grew more modern.
AT II of these later pages the king
stopped and addressed me:
you have said that unless Hugo's
rights and the Dalberg legitimacy Of
his descendants were preserved by
special decree made during Hugo's
life you would decline to return to
court" He paused a moment, then
went on: 1T would almost seem that
old Henry had some presentiment of
a certain stubborn minded grandchild,
for he provided for just such a con-
dition as you have made. This book
is the laws of the house of Dalberg.
Listen to what is written touching
Hugo, son of Henry Ill"
Instinctively l arose and stood at at
tention.
The king read:
"Section one hundred twenty-frst. For
inasmuch as our second son, Hugo, hath
in defiance of our specific prohibition this
day left our kingdom and gone over sea
to the North American colonies of Great
Britain. there TO join the forces of one
George Washington, who is leading a re-
volt against his lawful sovereign. the king
OF England. with whom / am at peace,
1t is hereby decreed that the said Hugo
shall forfeit all titles and e~moluments
hereby stricken from the family roll.
From his day he ceaseth to be a Dalberg
OF Valeria. HENRY III, REX.
Eye 18th October. A. d. III"
Frederick glanced up. THAT was the
Judgment" said he. Listen. now, to
the pardon:
Section one hundred t~wenty-hfth. Where
as we have learned that our second son,
Hugo. hath served with much honor in
the American army under General Wash
ington and hath since the termination OF
hostilities married into a good family in
one of the said American states called
Maryland and hath assumed residence
therein, and whereas he hath never sought
aid from us nor sued for pardon, now,
therefore, In recognition OF his valor and
self reliance n true Dalberg independ-
ence it is decreed that section one hundred
twenty-one. supra. be annulled. ar HUI
COS name Is hereby reinstated on the
family roll in its proper place, the same
as though never stricken therefrom. And
it is further decreed that the marriage of
Hugo and the marriage of his descendants
shall be deemed valid and lawful. the
same as though their respective consorts
were of the blood royal.
rs hat sufficiently definite, sirT" the
king asked.
1T is very extraordinary" 1 said In
,iYaldsg,