The Eureka sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1902-current, 1912-05-18

into the morning. And II Moore had
any fault to find with his neighbor In
blue. he was indeed a graceless grum.
bier.
Lady Helen was on one side Of me.
and we recalled the ride we had togeth-
er the morning shortly after the birth
day bah. when we met the princess at
the old forge.
we never tool that other ride we
planned" | said-'the one to the Inn
Of the Twisted Pines
You have never asked me- she
said dryly.
Suppose we make it tomorrow at g."
! suggested.
~ ride with MIR. Courtney. then"
1--WE will make a party of it, said |.
The princess returns this morning.
md we viii add Mile. d'Essolde and
Colonel Moore"
| lunched with the king and the
Princess Dehra as arranged. Fred
crick left before the coffee. and Dehra
ordered II served In her library. when
the footman had brought it she dis
missed him.
-NON, Sdiu sht. Couuc duu Tell ne
all about yourself"
| went over and sat on the arm Of
her chair. Then I said, Tell me about
Lotzen's visit with you in the north"
She said, Il feel very sorry for Fer
d.nand." Then she blushed. Il think
he does love me. Armand"
II cam blame him for that" said L
Hes a queer sort if he doesn't"
"Foolish!" she laughed. giving me a
little tap with her fan. l"And you see.
dear. he might have had a chance II
you had not come"
| bent down until her hair brushed
my face.
And he has none now. s~weethearty"
] said softly.
You know that he has not"
And does he know it?"
"Yes; he knows it now. I told him
the day he left"
| vas beginning to understand Lot
zen's sudden change Of demeanor to-
ward me.
What did you tell him. little wo-
man." ! 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?"
II know. Armand. you don't like him,
and, there. you may do him an inius-
tice. He said only the kindest things
about you: that you were able, cour-
teous, brave. a true Dalberg. and that,
If 1t could not be he, he was glad it
was you"
1 smiled. That was clever Of him."
/ commented.
And he. too. does not believe the
Spencer woman's story"
His cleverness grows I laughed.
1T only remains for him to o
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 WELL"
And you believed him, dearT' I
asked.
Eyes; / believed him. l wanted to
believe him. bid he deceive me7'
Listen" said /. and l told her what
had happened at the masque
"Of course you win tell the king"
said she.
Maybe" said 1. I've not decided
yet"
She got up. "Thcre is just time for
me to get into riding Dress" she said.
But, first, this is Thursday. II you
do not tell his majesty OF Lotxen's per-
fdy by Saturday l shall do it myself"
And I knew she would. So I made
no protest.
1t was a beautiful afternoon. The
road was soft and the track smooth
Much of 1t led through woodland and
along a brawling stream. The horses
were of the sort that delight the sou.
| doubt II there were six better sad
dlers IN the whole kingdom Of Valeria-
I 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 tri1e from the road.
with a high walled yard on all four
sides. / had taken the ~precaution
that morning to dispatch an orderly
to apprise the landlord of our coming,
and every human being about the
place was drawn up within the an
closure to greet us.
My mouth waters now at the thought
of the food we had at the inn. But AZ
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," I
said.
Again he saluted; then drew put an
envelope and handed il to me.