The Julesburg grit-advocate., 1912-04-11

Of my recent inheritances. and there
maintained my own archducal court
1t WAS q bit hard for me TO take my
self seriously and to accept calmly the
obsequious Difference accorded me by
every one, yet there were compensa-
tons, 20 many and SO satisfying new
ef for Q moment considered u return
to my former estate. l was-I admit
H-enamored Of my rank and power
During this month l had seen the
Duke of Lotzen very frequently. had
sat beside him At the council table.
had dined with him formally as the
new archduks and informally as his
cousin. And on my part had repaid
his courtesies In kind. He had been
thoughtful and considerats to me to
an exceptional degree. but at the same
time without undue effusiveness.
Even Courtney could find nothing to
criticiss In Lotzen's behavior. nor had
his secret agents been able to detect
any thing sub rosa.
However. all this proves nothing one
way or the other" he remarked one
day a. We sat In my inner library. III
he intends the worst sort Of harm to
you he would begin just ~ he has-"
l nodded.
II suppose his majesty knows of
Lotzen's courtesies to your
And Is immensely grstihed. Bern
helm tells me the duke never was in
higher favor than At this moment,"
answered.
Exactly. and therefore the lsss like
ly change in the Law Of succession.
He uses you to play against you"
"And l am helpless to prevent It."
said l. II may not refuse his civilities
nor appear to question their intent
"Haven forfend! Courtney exclaim-
ed, with lifted hands. "Your counter
attack Is at the king too. Keep him
interested In you"
II have l think. am ths nsW alu-
tary governor Of Dornlitk."
"Wonderfuli It's tbs most desirable
post In the army; even preferable to
chief Of stan. 1t makes you master
in the capital and it, military district,
=
swerabls to none but the king himself
The governorship viii give you In
menss power to detect and 6sl Lstr
GEMS plots"
"Plotsr' I exclaimed do you fancy
Lotzen would resort - murdser'
mot at pressnt-no& unt0 WV-
thing else has failed"
you seem very sure" unmarked
"Precisely that You don't ssen 10
realize that you have likely both lost
him his desired wife and jeopasdiasd
his succession to the throoa He might
submit to losing the princess, but the
crown. never. Give Lotzsn no quarter.
You may b surs - v1l give you
mona"
Il shall eoantsnaAcs - visssneA' I
insistsd
-Ons = psRnistsA y Pspd fsrss hv
forcA"
Y shAu not Aaaltats 70 = ~ ~.
may b sure"
s0opAr ead ~ ARA rsnsmbss.
mates. - sitAss ~ = Lot.sn ths
princess msans ths csoWA FrsdaE1ck
wiz b. only eos glad b pas 4 - to hi
own descsodantA"
That's The truth" SAID L "But I
reckon ths princes lossn't assd the
crown b gst Lot.sa = ma Come
around tonight to tbs royal box At the
opera. am 70 take the k1nS's place
and escort ths princess"
is that q commandr he asksd
Hang II all. Courtney" I exclaimed.
"Bscauss II It Int" b. went On, Il
shall have to decline. I'm dining With
the Radnors and going On to ths opsra
With them"
III you VIII permit" saN 1 -Tu sand
an aid b invite the Radnoes and you
to the royal boz during tho la1 aes and
than, lataf. b b ny gussD q snp0sr
on the hanging garda"
You're vsry kind ed man, aid Ae.
and a. Tor old Radnor. yoo v1ll en-
danger his ufs-hs viii Just aboas s&-
plods with importance"
Il trust not" aid I. 4 IKE Lord
Radnor~and then s1plosions are Dis
eoncerting at the opera or . supper"
I had good reason Later to remember
this bantsr@for there was an explosion
at the supper that night that was more
than dtsconcerdng, but Lord Radnor
vas In NO way responsible.
In the Royal Box.
VHEN the priucass and I en-