Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1912-04-11


maintained my own archducal court
1t was bit hard for me to take my
self seriously and to accept calmly the
obsequious Difference accorded me by
every one, yet there were compensa-
tons, SO many and so satisfying I new
er for moment considered return
to my former estate. l was--I admit
1t-enamored Of my rank and power.
During this month / had seen the
Duke of Lotzen very frequently. had
sat beside him at the council table.
had dined with him formally as the
new archduke and informally as his
cousin. And on my part had repaid
his courtesies In kind. He had been
thoughtful and considerable to me to
an exceptional degree, but at the same
lime without undue effusiveness.
Even Courtney could find nothing to
criticise in Lotzen's behavior, nor had
his secret agents been able to detect
any thing sub rosa.
However, all this proves nothing one
way or the other" he remarked one
day as we sat in my inner library. IF
he intends the worst sort Of harm to
you he would begin just as he has"
nodded.
II suppose his majesty knows of
LotZen's courtesies to your
And Is Immensely gratifed. Bern
helm tells me the duke never was in
higher favor than at this moment" /
answered.
Exactly, and therefore the less like
ly change In the law of succession.
He uses you to play against you"
"And l am helpless to prevent It,"
said |. II may not refuse his civilities
nor appear to question their intent"
Haven forfend!" Courtney exclaim-
ed, with lifted hands. "Your counter
attack is at the king too. Keep him
interested In you"
II have, think. am the new mill
tary governor Of Dornlitz."
Wonderful! It's the most desirable
post in the army; even preferable to
chief of staff. 1t makes you master
in the capital and its. military district,
a temporary field marshal and an
swerable to none but the king himself.
The governorship will give you i'm
mense power to detect and foil Lot
zen's plots"
"Plots!" exclaimed. "Do you fancy
Lotzen would resort to murder2"
"Nct at present-not until every
thing else has failed"
you seem very sure" I remarked.
Precisely that. You don't seem to
realize that you have likely both lost
him his desired wife and jeopardized
his succession to the throne. He might
submit to losing the princess, but the
crown, never. Give Lotzen no quarter
You may be sure he will give you
none."
Il shall countenance no Violence"
insisted.
Zone Il permitted to repel force by
force"
II shall not hesitate to do that, you
may be sure"
"Goodv' said be- "And remember,
major. to either you or Lotzen the
princess means the crown. Frederick
will be only too glad to pass it 50 to his
own descendants"
That's the truth" said I. "But
reckon the princess doesn't need the
crown to get Lotzen or me. Come
around tonight to the royal box at the
opera. I am to take the kings place
and escort the princess"
lis that commando" he asked.
"Hang it all, Courtneyl" exclaimed
Because If it isn't" he went on, II
shall have to decline. I'm dining with
the Radnors and going on to the opera
with them"
III you will permit" said !, "I'u send
an aic to invite the Radnors and you
to the royal box during the last act and
then, later, to be my guests at supper
on the hanging garden"
you're very kind, old man." said he.
'and as for old Radnor, you will en-
danger his hfe-he will just about ex-
! piode with Importance"
II trust not" said I. Il like Lord
Radnor-and then explosions are dis
concerning at the opera or supper"
1 had good reason later to remember
this banter-for there was an explosion
at the supper that night that was more
than disconcertng, but Lord Radnor
was in no way responsible.
In the Royal Box.
YHEN the princess and l en-
IA tered the royal box that
wv night the applause was in
slant and enthusiastic.
kept bit In the rear; the greeting was
for her. What queen regnant she
would make! Aye, what queen con-
sort she would be! What wife!
thought.
Then the last high note of the ma
tional air blared out and the princess,
turning quickly, caught my look and
straightway read my thoughts. A sud-