Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1912-06-01

raped aSalu-
u In Il moment the door was
opened by Mrs. Spencer's maid.
Madame is not at home" she said
mechanically.
Without n word Frederick brushed
her aside and stepped quickly inland
1 after him.
Mrs Spencer sat facing the door and
saw US enter. 1t is inconceivable that
she should not have been surprised,
and yet she betrayed absolutely no sign
of it. She said something very low to
the duke, then came forward and
courtesied to the king
Your majesty honors me overmuch,''
she said And then to me, Does this
really moan that your royal highness
has decided to acknowledge me?''
Meanwhile Lotzen had arisen and
was standing stiff1y at attention, his
eyes on the king. 1 thought his face
was trif1e pale, and did not wonder.
Frederick laughed CURLY and motion
ed for her to rise.
The play is over, Mrs. Spencer" he
said. 1--WE will have no more acting, If
you please"
She Strengthened instantly.
your majesty is pleased to be dis
courteous-but it seems to be a Dali
berg characteristic" she sneered. Then
she broke out angrily: '.And as neither
you nor that renegade there'-indicat-
ing INC with Il nod and a look-"waS in
vited here, 1 take it / am quite jusd-
fed in requesting you both to depart.
You may be a king, but that gives you
no privilege to force your way into a
woman'S apartments and insult her.
You are brave gentleman, surely, and
a worthy monarch. I suppose you
brought your pet to protect you lest L
offer you violence. Well, I'll give him
the chance
Even as she said 1t, like n flash she
seized a heavy glass vase from the
table and hurled it straight at the king.
But, quick though she was, the king
was quicker. He jerked his head aside.
The vase missed him by the fraction OF
an inch and crashed to bits against the
opposite wall.
Frederick turned and looked at the
fra gments and at the cut in the hang
ings.
Madame is rather muscular he OBJ
served dryly-
'And your majesty is a clever dodg-
err she said, with sneering indiffer-
ence, then leaned back against the ia
BILE, hand on either side of her.
us it possible you are not going?''
she asked
The king smiled presently, my
dear madame, presently. Meanwhile
pray you, have consideration for the
ornaments and the wall"
She shrugged her shoulders
''As / cannot expect the servants to
forcibly eject their king and as the
Duke of Lotzen dare not, presume
FL have to submit to your fmpertinent
intrusion. Pray let me know your
business hereI assume it Is business
and get it ended quickly. Win e1-
pedite it all I may. Anything to be
rid of you and that popfnjay In red be-
side you
your husband, madame" the king
observed.
aye, my husband, for a time,- she
answered.
AYE, Mrs. Spencer, your husband
for Il time-for a purpose-and for a
consideration"
She opened her eyes wide
''Indeed,'' she laughed. 81 thought
the acting was over, sire"
E'rederick's manner changed.
1T isl he said sharply. I'VE will
come to the point Have you pen and
inkT'
as that what you came for?' she
sneered. ''Haye you none at the pal
ace?''
"Quite enough to sign an order with
in an hour for your Incarceration If
you continue obdurate," he answered
- kingly threat, truly" she Knocked
"And what if l be not obdurate?"
''Then it viii be an order permitting
you to leave Valera at once"
Now. your majesty interests me, +"
she said. 81 have been waiting for
that a month and more What is the
price for this order:"
simply the truth, madame" said the
king.
sometimes the truth is the highest
price one can pay" she answered
at will be very easy here he said
you have a paper here purporting to
be a certificate of marriage between
you and Armand DalberS."
She inclined her head
"On it YOU viii indorsc that it is a
false certificate, that you are not and
never were his wife; that it was pro-
cured for you in New York long subse-
quent TO its apparent date, and that
| money-fill in the actual amount. please
to go Immediately to Dornlitz, e1-
hibit the certificate there and publicly
claim the Grand Duke Armand as your
husband That, madame, is ALL"
Your majesty has omitted one little
matter" she said. by whom shall