Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1912-04-25
1 tried to thank him, but he would

Its a matter for the two most con-
cerned to arrange" he declared. II
never did fancy these loveless royal
marriages. They are very little better
than false ones" Then he laughed.
Tell me about this one Of yours" he
said; 1.-The true facts as you called
them"
So told him in detail of the supper
in the garden, the astonishing accusa
ton of the Spencer woman and of what
I'knew concerning her in America.
Il suppose you have your own notion
as to this woman's motive?" he said.
YES" l answered
do you care to give it to met"
let him see my hesitation.
"Well, think it is not entirely re-
venge,' I said
ut might even be that she is only
playing the cards some one else has
dealt her. he said Significantly Il
saw the lady this afternoon in the
park l rather fancy almost any man
would be quite willing to have her
claim him as her husband"
tauu llclclOIe ueI SIOTN Will Dc very
generally accepted" l said.
Doubtless. It's far easier to accept
it than to disbelieve it,"
consequently if it please you, sire.
let my betrothal to her royal highness
remain secret until this woman's claim
has been thoroughly disproved"
Frederick thought moment. "You
are entirely. right" he said. But if it
were not for old Henry's decree you
could laugh at this woman l could
simply pronounce her lnorganatic and
you would be quite free to marry Deb
IA at once"
But | shook my head. Il must bring
Dehra a clean record" l said; land l
have no fault to find with that decree.
But for it l would not be here, though,
neither would Nine Spencer" added
inadvertently.
| The king stared at me-
'You don't think she knows the de-
crecw he exclaimed.
II think she never heard of the laws
of the Dalbergs,' l answered. 81
mean that it was my being here that
brought her"
| Again the king smiled.
"What you mean is that she would
not be here but for the fact that by
Henry's decree she would be your
lawful Wife and l powerless to inter-
fere."
| made no answer. / was rather
anxious for him to pursue the premise
to its conclusion.
you see where that deduction
leads" he went on. "Only Dehra and
Lotzcn know the laws of our house."
81 ask your majesty to observe that
| have made no deduction" l said.
He stopped short and looked at me
a moment.
IF ! were quite sure that Lotzen
We're the instigator of this plot l
would remove him utterly from the
line of succession and Danish him
from the kingdom"
thought it a proper time for me to
be very quiet.
I'm the meantime. however, ] shall
send that internal woman packing
over the border by the quickest route"
he said Yehemently.
Il trust not, Sire" said. "As gov
ernor of Dornlitz | gave orders this
morning that she be not permitted to
leave the capital"
But she's an American subjectv'
he exclaimed. "She can't be held
prisoner"
IF she's my wife she's -',bject Of
your majesty"
True, but why do you want to
keep her here?"
ITO give time to investigate her do
ings since l became an archduke," l
said. 81 may not marry Dehra in the
face of that certificate and old Hen
rvs decree, and. since the alderman
is dead, only through Madeline Spen-
Ger herself can the faIsity of her
claim be shown. Every moment here
she must act her part and be under
our constant surveillance. Some time
she is sure to make q slip or forget
her lines. But let her be at large,
and with plenty of funds at her COM
mand she will be a wil-o' the-wisp,
to be followed over the world for
years, and her slips will be few and
very far between and with no one
there to note them"
Very good" said Frederick keep
her or send her. as you see fit, only
don't embroil me with America if you
can avoid IT.
"There is no danger assured him.
Courtney says he will not interfere 50
long as she claims to be my wife"
Frederick laughed. "Courtpey's a
friend he said heartily.
"None better lives" replied.
Then the portieres parted and the
princess stood in the doorway Fred.
erick saw her.
Come in, your highness," he said.
She crossed to him and patted his
cheek.
Have you been nice to Armand?'
she asked.
''He seemed to think so. told him
he might have YOU"