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

~. nevertheless l was none the less
positive that there had been some sort
OF communication between Madeline
spencer In America and the Duke of
LotZen In Valeria In response TO which
she was here.
SO 1t seemed Courtney was correct
as usual. He had predicted that moth
Ing would be found by the detectives
Ihere seemed TO be nothing but TO cul-
tivate patience and settle down TO wait
Tor some one to blunder or for the lady
TO get tired OF her enforced residence in
Dornlitz and begin TO get restless and
do something which would give us a
clew to work on.
She had retained her apartments at
the Hotel Metzen-the management
having. however. addressed me as 10
my pleasure in the matter-and at least
once every day she had sought TO pass
some one Of the city gates, and when
refused would then demand exit as the
wife of the Grand Duke Armand.
She drove and rode and walked about
the town the cynosure Of all eyes. and
some of them of admiring men. who
would have been very ready. doubtless.
to start a Irritation. both for their own
pleasure and in the hope of gaining my
good will by discrediting her. But she
would have none of them and went her
way with the serene blindness OF an
honest woman.
OF course l pOintedly ignored her
when we CHANGED to pass each other,
but 1t had no effect. for the next time
her greeting was only the more effu-
sively intimate. Naturally the people
stared. The whole situation was in
tensely irritating and growing more
so every day, and my patience, never
long at best. must have been trife
uncertain for those around me.
was bit lonely too. The king was
in the north, and the princess was with
him, and SO, for a time, was LotZen.
happened TO know. though | under
stood he had now left them and was
returning to Dornlitz. | wished him a
long journey and Il slow one.
His suave courtesy was becoming
unbearable, and my sorest trial was to
receive it calmly and to meet it in
kind. Truly, If he had found bril-
liant leading woman in Madeline Spen-
Ger, he had an equally brilliant leading
man In himself.
was no possible match for him.
and l could feel the sheer behind his
smile. l wanted to give him good
body beating. and was sure he knew
1t and that it only amused him.
He must have fancied wished him
a long absence, for he returned with
astonishing promptness. | saw him
the next afternoon In the officers club.
and our greeting was almost ELUSIVE.
"Ill ride over to headquarters with
you," he said.
I'm walking" / answered.
Good. I'll walk, too" he replied.
So we set out, the orderly following |
with the dukes horse
When we reached headquarters | |
suggested that he come up to my office
and smoke cigar. thought he |
would decline. But there l erred.
Thanks" said he; "Ill join you as
soon as I've registered" and he turned
Down the corridor toward the adjutant
Office.
On my desk was a wire from the
princess. She and the king would
each Dornlitz the next morning. and
was expected to lunch Mt the pal
ice. / dispatched an answer that
would meet the royal train en- route
ma thought OF Lotzen with indlffer-
nee almost.
when be came was going through
batch of papers which had just been
brought In for my signature.
Don't let me disturb you" he said
heartily. Finish the miserable red
ape"
l nodded.
He chose cigar and, having lighted
with the careful attention he seem
"a TO give to the smallest matters. he
TO the window that over
ooked the avenue.
Presently he glanced around at me.
| signed the last Of the papers, push
q them aside and arose.
Mrs. Spencer is about to pass" he
aid.
Il trust So" said l. I'm sure I've
20 desire for her to stop"
Then suddenly he frowned and made
short bow.
she had the impudence to speak to
ne," he said. "She must be a most :,
woman"
| shrugged my shoulders.
Yet. what l can't understand Is
'hat she hopes to gain by masquerade
az here as your wife"
| looked at him and waited. He was
teering into strange waters Ii seemed
} me.
Now, If she had done it in Paris or
Jenna or any place outside of Va
'ria.' he went on. lone could see the
smporary profit OF It, But TO come TO {
'ornlitz and dare 1t under your very
ose" He flung up his hands "She
bit too much for me-"