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

~ 4 Naut " CULlcuAt LOu nDOut -
this: The king has asked me to accept
the titles Of old Hugo and to take my
place at court"
Courtney drew out his cigarette case.
he selected one and slowly lit it. I
knew his way and waited patiently.
"And Lotzen and the crown? r. he said
presently.
do you care for the whole story
asked.
Eyes; let me have 1t ALL" And. set
Ting back In his chair. he closed his
eyes and prepared to listen.
Then l told him everything Of the
meeting with the king In his library,
repeating as well as / could remember
Frederick's exact language, describing
his attitude toward me and his evident
desire in the matter.
1T seems to me-" be said, "the mat
ter is wholly one of personal inclina-
ton, with no obligation upon you to de-
eide it upon n other basis. There
fore the first question is simply this:
Which do you prefer to bean Ameri-
can officer and citizen or a valerian
archduke?'
THAT is just what I don't know"
said 1.
"Well. would 1t be any easier to an
swer i'll were to add, With a chance
for the CROWN"
THAT complexities it even more, I
think"
He looked at me hard for a moment.
l knew he was thinking of the prin-
cess, and l shook my head.
Better o at 1t only on the first
proposition" he said, "'an American
officer or an archduke.'"
"If l accept" said 1. II shall play for
all the stakes"
"You have lost several hours Of sleep
tonight. my dear major. very needless
ly," be said "You know quite well
you will accept Frederick's offer"
do you advise me to acceptr' I de-
manded.
do you fancy I would advise you to-
do anything elser'
you say that as my best friendTs I
persisted.
II do. And more, I urge It. And
then," he went on" you can throw It
all over and come back to Us II you get
tired Of your new job"
"But I'm too old to learn q nsw pro-
fession." I objected
"A new professionf' he questioned.
l nodded. The profession Of being
an archdukas
IF l might Judge By the birthday
ball." he laughed you win have very
little to learn"
1 cannot say II q good nights rest
had anything to do with II, but when
l q woke my mind vas made up and (
was ready to give answer to the king.
1t CHANGED that Courtney and 1 met al
breakfast-the American customs a. to
meals prevailed at the embassy-and
had the room to ourselves, possibly be-
cause we were very lats and the day
was very charming.
WELL" said he, II see you've made
your decision Which gets It Valera
or AmericaT"
Behold q prospective archduksr"
said 1.
He arose and, hand over heart, bow
ed low. II salute your royal highnessl'
he said
"Nonsense!" I exclaimed. Don't be
ridiculous" and I turned to my mail.
The letters lay face downward Of
course, and I opened them in their or
der without bothering to examine the
superscriptions. Presently / came upon
n sealed with a blurred dab of green
wax. Rather curious, 1 turned it over.
1t was unstamped and was marked,
Personal N important" I did not
know the hand writing; but, then, Lady
Helen Radnor's was the only one In all
Dornlitz l could have known.
Here" said to Courtney, "Is a let
ter marked personal and important"
/ tossed it over.
BE glanced languidly at the envelope,
then picked it up quickly and scruti-
nized it sharply. Then he motioned
for the servant to return 1t to me.
l knew be had recognized the writ
ing and that 1t called for more respect
than a careless fling across the table.
l broke the seal and drew out the let
ter. 1t bore the royal arms over the
word Dornlitz. Beneath 1t read:
My Dear Cousin-His majesty has told
me of the meeting In the library this
morning. l know 1 have no right to med
die. but won't you please accept and come
back to your own? The king wants you.
We shall welcome you with all our hearts.
Come. rmand! DEHRA
l read it slowly a second time and
then a third time, wondering the while
whether l should show 1t to Courtney.
You know who wrote this?" / asked.
81 know who wrote the address"
"Then know the note Also" said /,
and read it to him.
His face was quite expressionless as
l read. but at the end he gave the
faintest nod of approval. "If that does
not hold you to the task you re- he