Western Kansas world., 1912-05-18

=
I We fingered at the table until far
any fault to find with his neishboi in
blue. he was indeed sra, eiess grum-
bier.
Lady Helen was on one side of me.
and we recalled the ride we had toeeth-
er the morning shortly after the birth
day bali. when we met the princess at
tie old forge.
I'VE never took that other ride we
planned" | said---the one TO the Inn
of the Twisted Pines
You nave never asked me- she
said dryiy.
Suppose we make it tomorrow at 81
1 suggested.
Il ride with Mr. Courtney. them
I'VE will make party of it" said l.
The princess returns this morning.
and we will add Mile. { 'Essolde and
Colone. Moore
| iunched with the king and the
Princess Dehra as arranged Fred
erick left before the coffee and nehr:l
ordered it served in her library When
the footman had brought it she dis
missed him.
Nov" said she, come and tell me
all about yourself,
l Went over and sat on the arm of
her chair. Then / said Tell me about
Lotzen's visit with you IN the north"
She said. Il feel very sorry for Fer
dmand.' Then she blushed Il think
he does love me. Armand"
Il can't blame him for that" said I.
He's queer sort if he doesn't"
FOOLISH she laughed. giving me a
little tap with her fan. And you see,
dear he Inioht bava bod
you had not come"
l bent down until her hair brushed
my face
And he has none now, sweetheart
said softly.
You know that he has not
And does he know ft?''
Yes; he knows it 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-
MANI" I asked
She looked up with a bright smile.
Il told him it was you," she whis-
pered.
The understanding was growing rap
idly.
And what did he say to that?"
Il know, Armand, you don't like him,
and, there, You may do him an injus-
tiee. He said only the kindest things
about you; that you were able. cour-
teous, brave, a true Dalberg, and that.
If it could not be he. he was glad it
was you
1 smiled. THAT was clever of him."
L commented.
And he, too. does not believe the
Spencer woman'S story"
His cleverness grows" I laughed.
1T only remains for him to renounce
his right to the crown"
He said it was for the king to
choose which was the worthier and
that If it fell to you he would serve
you faithfully and we'll"
And you believed him, dearr' I
asked.
Yes; believed him. 1 wanted to
believe him. Did he deceive me?"
Listen said L, and 1 told her what
had happened at the masque.
"Of course you will tell the king
said she.
Maybe" said 1. I've not decided
yet"
She got up. There is just time foa
me to get into riding Dress" she said
But. first. this is Thursday. If you
fdy by Saturday shall do it myself"
And 1 knew she would So 1 made
no protest
1t was a beautiful afternoon The
road was soft and the track smooth.
Much of it led through woodland and
along brawling stream. The horses
were of the sort that delight the soul
doubt if there were six better sad
dlers in the whole kingdom of Valeria
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
many gables and small windows,
standing back a trif1e from the road,
with a high walled yard on all four
sides / had taken the precaution
that morning to dispatch an orderly
and every human being about the
place was drawn up within the en-
closure to greet US.
My mouth waters now at the thought
of the food we had at the inn But as
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 Bernheim,"
said.
Again he saluted: then drew out an
envelope and handed it to me
important papers for your hfph-