The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1912-05-10

move To give him the opportunity. IL
would increase the chances for them
to make n blunder. | determined 10
risk It,
The only restriction touching Mrs.
Spencer il the order OF the military
governor" | answered If you can
induce her 10 acknowledge the faIsify
of that certificate. she shall be free
to resume her journey. and joy 90
with her"
lie went ever To the door. then re-
turned and. leaning ON the back of n
chair. looked ut me thoughtfully.
There is n matter. cousin" he be-
gan. which has been on my mind
lately-and this may be as good a
times as any 10 take IL up"
| nodded. GO ahead-we are r. the
humor for condolences this afternoon.
IL seems"
And for plain speakings' he asked.
Between men I'm always for that"
said /. Its the safest i'm the end.
Drive ahead. and make it as plain az
you like
I'll do it," he said What | want TO
know is-first. do you intend 10 try 10
displace me in the line Of succession.
and second. are you sutton for the
hand of the princess royaly
1t would have been impossible To hide
my surprise. SO | made no effort. Sure
ly this mans methods were almost be-
yond comprehension.
My dear duke" | replied. your
questions are plain. and plain answer
will do for both. 1t is none OF your
business"
He laughed by which infer you
decline 10 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 10 decline TO
answer is really To answer in the af-
firmatiye."
You are responsible for your infer
ences, not l." replied CURLY.
He leaned bit forward. LET us
take up my first question" he said.
Have you ever considered what you
were likely 10 encounter if you under
took TO fitch the crown? DO you think
that /, 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."
locked at him indifferently and
made no answer.
DO you fancy for an instant" he
went on, that the people OF valeria
would have n foreigner for king?"
| shrugged my shoulders.
And even If old Frederick were To
become so infatuated with you that he
would restore you 10 Hugo's place in
the line OF succession do you imagine
that the house of mobiles would hesitate
to annul ii the instant he died?'
From the written words one might
we'll infer that he spoke loudly and I'm
open anger. whereas, I'm fact. his face
was smiling and his voice was even
more soft than usual. IL behooved me
TO meet him in kind.
"As you seem to have been doing my
thinking, cousin, perhaps you have also
thought out my answers. III you have
/ shall be glad 10 hear them. Ii Will
save me the labor OF thinking them out
for myself"
His smile broadened. "The only la
Dor l can promise TO save you, cousin.
Is that of being king"
Il fear IL is "A bit early for me to
choose my prime minister" said.
His smile became laugh. Let rs
pass TO my second question. IL, how
ever, demands no thinking There IL
ample evidence OF your intention as To
the princess"
Then why ask it?" I inquired.
Because OF her intention toward you
am not so sure-but women are queer
creatures and prone 90 take queer
nrochets. You aim TO marry her and M.
having won the king and stolen my
Dirthright, to use her popularity to Sc
cure you on the throne"
IL suppose am very stupid" l said.
but / don't quite understand why, II
you feel so about the princess. you Of
'ered to aid me I'm getting rid OF Mrs.
Spencer"
Pure selfishness, cousin. have
AIKEN liking TO the lady myself"
Then at least may thank you for
four selfishness." sneered
He smiled. then turned and looked at
he clock on the mantel behind him.
Come. Armand" he said. Il must
De going. VIII you condescend to an
'wer?'
| arose.
you won't? Well. it's not really nee.
have you dice box!"
IL have not"
"A pack OF cards. them
NO"
He shrugged his shoulders. This
fill serve. though It's rather low class"
nd he took out N gold coin and rang