Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1912-05-11
SCOTT

fectly at command
what would be my chances against
Lotzen?" 1 asked.
You could kill him easily" said
Moore.
I've had a visit from the duke this
afternoon 1 said, and 1 told them
the entire interview.
1T would be just as well for your
highness to wear a steel vest said
Bernheim. Its very handy to turn
knife or a revolver bullet"
laughed. "Of course steel vests are
such ordinary articles of attire they
can be purchased in any shop"
I'll supply the vest" he answered,
IF your highness will use it,
1T seems absurd" declared
Its a wise precaution, SIR" Moore
urged.
One might suppose we We're back in
the days of the Guises,' 1 said. How
ever, bring your coat of mail around
tonight and I'll look it over. But,
warn you, it will have to be very
snug fit"
q will answer for that Also" said
Bernheim
Later in the afternoon 1 rode over to
the field of Mars, a huge piece of
ground on the lake front, for the even
ing parade of the cuirasSiers of the
guard. This was their one hundred
and fiftieth anniversary, and on every
one of them it had been the unbroken
custom for the then governor of Dorm
litz to be present and pass the regi-
ment in review, saving, of course, in
war time. when it CHANGED to be in
active service i'll the field.
The crowd of spectators was enor-
nous. In front We're the carriages of
the aristocracy of the capital, and as
galloped down to take post after the
review 1 could not but wonder how
many of all that crowd regarded me
with u friendly eye. Behind me clat-
tered a brilliant staff. and in my hand
was the baton of marshal, yet never
in my life had felt SO utterly alone as
at that moment.
! Then the great band of the regiment
blared out, and 1 settled myself for the
march by.
When it was over and the last troop
had broken into column and had trot-
ted away 1 dismissed my staff, except
! noticed Lady Helen Radnor.
IF you were not prince 1 would
not speak to you,'' she said as 1 dis
mounted. Il have not seen you for
ages"
I've been very busy. I did not i'm
agine you would miss me-" 1 said and
glanced at her left hand.
She laughed and held it up. 1.-THE
finger is quite bare" she said, but I'll
take off the glove if you WISH
I'm sorry 1 said. HE is such a
| good chap"
She raised her eyebrows. do you
know she said slowly, and looking
at me hard the while, Il was foolish
! enough to think, very long ago, that
you rather liked me, yourself"
And it's just because 1 do that 1
hoped the finger wasn't BARE 1 an
swered.
1 turned just as Courtney came up.
MAY 1 intrude, your royal high
ness?" he asked.
Come along" said I. Lady Helen
wants to hear some gossip, and 1
| don't know any"
A bit of a smile came into his eyes.
"And that, though you are, yourself.
! the most gossiped about individual in
| Dornlitz," he answered.
| Another penalty of my new estate
| said 1. THE butt of all and the con-
| fidant of none"
Courtney tapped my baton. Have
you noticed, Lady Helen, what a
| steady run of hard luck our friend,
here, has had ever since he came to
Valeria ?" he asked.
Indeed 1 have" said she, "and I've
been so sorry for him"
| Then she nodded most pleasantly to
someone, and Courtney and 1 turned
and bowed. 1t was the MarQuise de
Vferle. wife Of the French ambassador
How about her masque tonight?' 1
asked .Will it be worth while?''
Its very evident you are new to
! Dornlitz," Courtney observed, and
Lady Helen laughed.
| The Vierle- balls outrival even the
court functions she explained.
Are you going?" 1 asked her.
Il am, indeed
| And you, Courtney"
II shall look in late"
| 1 motioned to Moore "Who is on
| duty tonight?' / asked
Il am, sir
Gould you manage two costumes
for the Yierle masqueE'
Quite readily. SIR
Very good 1 said ''And let them
be as near alike as possible added.
| By this time the field was almost de-
serted. and at Lady Helen's suggestion
Courtney and turned our horses over
to my orderly and drove back with
her.