The Julesburg grit-advocate., 1912-05-16

we uhstitu ~ tut tatie uutu IaF
into the morning. And II Moore had
any fault to find with his neighbor in
blue. he was indeed a graceless Srum
bier
Lady Helen was on one side OF me.
and We recalled the ride we had togc;h
ef the morning shortly after The birth
day ball. when We met the princess ut
the old forge.
We never took that other ride we
planned" | said-"the one to the Inn
Of the Twisted Pines
You nave never asked me-" she
said dryly.
Suppose We make it tomorrow at g."
l suggested
Il ride with Mr.. Courtney, then"
I'VE will make II party OF it," said I.
"The princess returns this morning.
and we will add Mile. dEssolde and
Colonel Moore"
l lunrhcd with the king and the
princess b"hra AS arranged Fred
erick left before the coffee. and Dehra
ordered ii served in her library. When
the foOtman had brought it she dis
missed him.
Now" said she. come and tell me
all about yourself"
l Went over and sat on the arm OF
her chair. Then said, "Tell me about
l-otzen's visit with you In the north"
She said. Il feel very sorry for Fer
d!nand." Then she blushed. II think
he does love me, Armand"
Il can't blame him for that" said l.
Hes queer sort If he doesn't"
Foolish she laughed. giving me a
little tap with her fan "And YOU see,
dear. he might have had chance il
you had nor come
| bent down until her hair brushed
my face.
"And he has none now, sweetheart?"
said softly.
You know that he has not"
"And does he know it,"
"ics; he knows 1t now. told him
the day he left
l was beginning to understand Lot.
zen's sudden change of demeanor to-
ward me.
What did you tell him, little wo-
man?" asked.
She looked up with bright smile.
Il told him it was you," she whis-
pered
The understanding was growing rap
idly.
And what did he say to that"
Il know. Armand. you don't like him,
and. there, YOU may do him an injus-
tice. He said only the kindcSt things
about YOU: that you We're able. cour-
teous. brave. Il true Dalberg, and that,
If it could not be he. he was glad it
was YOU
l smiled. THAT was clever of him."
l commented.
And lie, too. does not believe the
Spencer woIlan's story"
His cleSerness grows" / laughed
ut only remains for him to renounce
his right to the crown"
He said it was for the king to
that if 1t fell to you he would serve
You faithfully and We'll"
And you believed him, dear"
asked.
Yes: believed him. wanted to
believe him. Did he deceive me"
Listen" said l. and told her what
had happened at the masIue.
"Of course you will tell the king"
said she.
Maybe" said l. "I've not decided
yet"
She got up. "There is just time for
me TO get into riding Dress" she said.
but. first, this is Thursday. II you
do not tell his majesty of Lotzen's per-
tdy by Saturday I shall do it myself"
And l knew she would. So made
no protest.
1t was beautiful afternoon. The
road was soft and the track smooth.
Much Of it led through woodland and
along brawling stream. The horses
were Of the sort that delight the soul.
doubt If there were six better sad
dlers in the whole kingdom OF Valeria.
i know there were no prcttier wo-
men and, think. no happier men.
The Inn Of the Twisted Pines was
an old log and plaster building, Of
many gables and small windows.
standing back trifie from the road.
ltH IL Hlsh "aliSi Sdlu Ou ull lOuE
sides had taken the precaution
that morning to dispatch an orderly
to apprse the landlord of our coming.
and every human being about the
place was drawn up within the en-
closure to greet us.
My mouth waters now at the thought
Of the food we had ut the inn. But rs
we ate there came through the open
window the clatter OF horses hoOfs.
The door swung open, and my senior
aid entered, hot and dusty.
He caught my eye. halted sharply.
and his hand went up in salute.
Welcome, Colonel Bernheim,"
said.
Again he saluted; then drew out an
envelope and handed it to me.
important papers for your high
ness" he said. They were received