Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1912-05-02

unsusnected, it might not be bad
move to give him the opportunity. 1t
would increase the chances for them
t. make blunder. determined to
risk it,
THE only restriction touching Mrs.
Spencer is the order of the military
governor" answered eff you can
induce her to acknowledge the falsity
OF that certificate, She shall be free
to resume her journey, and joy go
with her.
He went over to the door, then re-
turned and. leaning on the back of a
chair, looked at me thoughtfully.
There is Il matter cousin" he be-
gan. (which has been on my mind
lately-and this may be as good a
times as any to take it up
nodded. go ahead-we are liz the
humor for condolences this afternoon.
it seems"
And for plain spealSing?' he asked
Between men Pm always for that"
said /. ITS the safest in the end
Drive ahead, and make it as plain as
you like
I'm do it, he said what / want to
know is-hrst. do you intend to try to
displace me in the line of succession,
and second, are you sutton for the
hand of the princess royal?''
1t would have been impossible to hide
my surprise, so made no effort. Sure
ly this mans methods were almost be-
You'd comprehension.
My dear duke" / replied, "your
questions are plain, and a plain answer
will do for both. 1t is none of your
business"
He laughed. "By which infer you
decline to answer"
Precisely"
He tossed away his cigar and slowly
lit another
"Of course, Armand, that is your
privilege; but, then, you must pardon
the further inference that to decline to
answer is really to answer in the af-
firmative"
You are responsible for your infer
ences not l." l replied curtly.
He leaned a bit forward. "Let us
take up my first question:" he said.
Have you ever considered what you
We're likely to encounter If you under
| took to fitch the crown? Do you think
that L, who have been the heir pre-
sumptive since the instant of my birth
almost, will calmly step aside and per-
NIT you to take my place."
| l looked at him indifferently and
made no answer.
| do you fancy for an instant" he
went on, chat the people Of Valeria
would have a foreigner for king?"
| l shrugged my shoulders.
And even If old Frederick were to
become so infatuated with you that he
would restore you to Hugo's place in
the line Of succession do you imagine
that the house of mobiles would hesitate
to annul it the instant he died?'
| From the written words one might
we'll infer that he spoke loudly and in
open anger, whereas, in fact, his face
was smiling and his voice was even
more soft than Usual. 1t behooved me
to meet him in kind.
las you seem to have been doing my
thinking, cousin, perhaps you have also
thought out my answers. If you have
l shall be glad to hear them. 1t will
save me the labor of thinking them out
for myself"
His smile broadened. 1.-THE only la
Dor can promise to save you, cousin,
is that of being king"
81 fear it is bit early for me to
choose my prime minister" said.
His smile became laugh. LET us
pass to my second question. 1t, how
ever, demands no thinking. There is
ample evidence Of your intention as to
the princess"
''Then why ask it?' l inquired.
because of her intention toward you
am not so sure-but women are queer
creatures and prone to take queer
crochets. You aim to marry her and 80,
having won the king and stolen my
birthright, to use her popularity to Sc
cure you Oh the throne"
Il suppose | am very stupid" / said,
"but l don't quite understand why, IL
you feel so about the princess, you of
fered to aid me in getting rid Of Mrs.
Spencer"
Pure selfishness, cousin. have
taken liking to the lady myself"
'"Then at least may thank you for
your selfishness." l sneered
He smiled, then turned and looked at
the clock on the mantel behind him.
Come, Armand" he said, 81 must
be going. Will you condescend to an
swer?'
arose.
~
essary-but have you dice box?"
II have not"
"a pack of cards, then?"
NO
He shrugged his shoulders. 'This
will serve, though it's rather low Glass;"
and he took out a gold coin and rang
it on the table. you were an Ameri-
can officer, and understand they are