Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1913-09-18

bers if the attempt OH my life had sue
ceeded!"
What do you mean by that? do you
accuse me Of
1--WE Think" replied the king in the
same mild tone, that your defiance of
our authority has turned the people
against us. For one thing, you have
just held "a review of the capitals gar
rison, when ordered that there should
be no review"
"your majesty is ignorant of military
Matters sneered Vladimir. II was
brought up to he a soldier"
And yet" unused the king, you
have not learned soldiers first rule
obedience. Also, without my consent,
you have made intlammatory speeches
to the troops. You told Them" refer
ring TO the paper Hawthorne had hand
ed lie Witt. "that the government owed
them many months pay and that a
change for the better was at hand. You
practically melted our army to mutiny.
HencefOrth you are forbidden to hold
reviews-to make Speeches-to"-
You are daring to give me orders?"
yelled the prince leaping to his feet.
"Your highness!' pleaded the an
guished equerry.
Hold your tongue, Radulski!" shout
ed Vladimir. I'm no schoolboy. 1
defy your majesty's right to give me
orders. I'm no slave!"
No" suddenly agreed the king. you
treat us. in fact, as though you were
master here. The treaty we made with
YOU
The treaty has been violated." raw
ed Vladimir. his temper past all bounds.
'Niolated?" echoed the king. "Quite
So BY YOU"
"And there shall be an end of it,!
roared Vladimir.
Then he caught Radulski's agonized
expression, belutedly remembered him
self and by mighty effort regained
his self control.
Your majesty shall be obeyed." he
growled and left the room.
and this is my birthday" mused
the king. gazing after him. mot wholly
a happy one; but" he added quizZical
ly, "it is not raining. One can never
be quite miserable when it's not rain
ing"
Sire" reported an officer. hurrying
in us Vladimir departed, 1.-The streets
are quite safe now. The royal carriage
is waiting"
Sending for Irma to follow, the king
and his officials left the room. Scarce
We're they gone when Hawthorne slip
ped in.
"Oflicer," he said to the gold laced
captain who was waiting to escort the
princess to the carriage. her royal
Aighness will pass through this room in
a moment. want you to stand aside
and let me speak to her."
Impossible" gasped the captain.
'Why. it would be as much as my com
mission is worth"
What is your job worth?" demand
ell Hawthorne
"My pay is 300 francs month"
when you get it. Which you don't.
Here's months pay. In real money.
Now get over to the other side of the
room. She's coming"
The princess entered with Kate At
a covert signal from Hawthorne the
American girl ducked back through the
door by which she had entered.
"Your royal highness!" cried Haw
thorne. springing forward with hands
outstretched.
The princess, with little cry of sur
prise, took an impulsive step toward
him. Then she halted as If turned to
ice.
For. impoverished. Prince vladimir
had entered the room. and 1t was plain
he had caught the look exchanged by
the American and the princess, for his
bronzed face slowly turned deep red,
and his little eyes smoldered DULY.
AT stride he was between Haw-
thorne and Irma, his hand on the hilt
of his saber.
But once more Vladimir forced him
self to an unnatural and unwOnted
calm-a calm that unpleasantly re-
minded Hawthorne of a motionless rat
tlesnake
His majesty is waiting for you,
irma," said the prince in mufied
voice. "Let me take you to the car
riage."
He offered her his arm. Instinctively
she shrank back. For single instant
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