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

your note, Dehra, truly?" asked.
She released her fingers and placed
both hands on the cloth. "Of course
l meant it when wrote it," she said
That's quite as much as I've any
right to expect" l answered.
A footman handed the king a card,
received message and withdrew.
Then the corridor door swung back,
and a voice announced:
His royal highness the Duke of
LotZen."
The princess caught her breath in
surprise and glanced quickly at the
king.
Does his highness always grant
your wishes so promptly?" asked.
She watched the duke as he advanc-
ed to the king and bent knee.
And l, too, watched him and with in
terest-this man, with whom l propos-
ed to make contest for the throne.
He had the grace of one reared in
courts and the ease of one born to
high command. He made me feel awk-
ward even as / sat. His height was
not above the medium, but his figure
was so we'll proportional he seemed
almost my own size and yet L knew
l would top him by three inches. He
wore the full dress uniform of a lieu
tenant general Of cavalry, and, with
his black hair and mustache and well
cut face, he looked in every line the
dashing beau sabreur.
When he had greeted the king and
spoken to Lady Helen he turned and,
with eyes on Dehra, came toward u.s.
Courtney and l arose and stepped
back The princess swung around in
her chair and gave him her hand, but
without word of welcome, and he
spoke none. Then as he unbent his
eyes rested on me for the first time.
l have never ceased to admire the
self control Lotzen showed then. He
gave me an instant's glance, flung an
other at the portrait behind me, and
then, clicking his heels sharply to-
gether, he raised his hand in salute,
but whether to me or to the portrait
could not know. My own hand went
up with his and remained a moment
longer, for 1 was the junior in actual
rank, though he could not know it, for
my present uniform was no guide.
"Since no one has presented the colo
mel Of the red huzzars, will he not do
the service for himself?' he said very
courteously.
81 cry your pardon, gentlemen" ex-
claimed the king, land l herewith pre-
sent to the Duke of Lotzen his cousin,
the Grand Duke Armand"
Lotzen extended his hand in frank
greeting. "You are Dalberg-any one
could see-but whenceT
From America" I answered.
He knew his family records we'll.
"Then you are the heir of Hugo" he
said instantly. "And you come in good
time, cousin. There have been few
enough Dalbergs in Valeria this gener-
ation.'
your cousin will appreciate your
welcome" said the king before could
make reply. Then he raised his glass.
II give you: the new archduke," he
said.
bowed low, yet not so low but that
l caught the smile Dehra gave me over
her glass and the sharp glance with
which LotZen noted it.
"Is he friend or foeT I wondered.
though the answer was evident. Plain
ly he was no fool and, therefore, why
should he be my friend2
And such was the view Of another,
for bit later as l swung the Lady
Helen into saddle she whispered:
"Lotzen will bear watching"
II shall need friends" I answered,
slowly arranging her skirt
Sometimes woman's wit II help
full"
And I may count on yoursT
"Surely-mine and another's, too, l
fancy" she smiled.
Then she and Courtney rode away,
but halted almost instantly, and he call
ed back to me to stop at the embassy
on the morrow and sign some papers.
For, Of course, now could not live
even for night at the American lega-
ton, and already suit had been pre-
pared for me in the palace.
1t was decided that for the present ]
was to reside there. l did not care for
separate establishment until | had
more experience in the dignities of an
archduke. Neither did desire now a
full military staff, and SO 1 was to have
only two aids, whom Frederick select
ed after much thought.
The senior was Colonel Bernheim,
who had brought the invitation to the
birthday ball and the commands of
the princess to dance with her that
night. His tour Of duty with the
royal aids was about ended, and. be-
ing an officer Of much experience In
the court, he would be able to keep
me straight, SO to speak.
The other aid was Major Moore.
an Irish soldier Of fortune, who had
been in the Valerian army some ten
years and BY his efficiency had be-