The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1915-12-10

mad left him. Now 10 harmed that
the message from the king asked bic
attsodapce at the palace - soon -
might BE-. The hing had. It seemed. .
Communication which he desired 20
make to Count Frederick ct once.
"Confound his royal h~ighnsss!" e.
claimed Frederick to himself. II never
leave him but he asks me back 1t
once. He IL always In some trouble.
and I am il~l-dispossd now to b nurse
to any king. for l have anairs Of my
own to trouble me sufficiently"
Nevertheless. grumbling. he went
his way to the palace. for the royal
will was something not yet at least to
be set aside.
Good! Count Frederick" Michael
greeted him. II asked your return b.
cause Of = sudden thought that had
come to my mind"
As to what. your majesty! Did It
ooms to you alone, unassistsd?"
The king was too much p~reoccupisd
to concern himself with sarcasm.
yes. a~ssuredly. It IL regarding the
coin"
THE coin! I thought your majesty
cared little for it-so little that you
gave it away unasked to one who IL
not even Of our county, stranger
the young American"
Precisely. That IL true. And I had
cause for my act. But. see you. one
does not make gifts unreQuited. Now
the young American has disappeared.
and 90 has the coin. Perhaps. rather,
I should reverse that. and say that the
coin has disappeared and with 1t the
young American. At least. that Is to
sAy-they both arc gone. So / sent
for you. my dear Frederick. to tell me
what 10 do"
The nobleman stood for q moment
but half concealing his real feelings,
gauging the man before him, this imi-
tauon Of . king.
"She was . most charming young
person." began the king, trying to
conceal his own thoughts. do you
not think such hair as hers is rsre?"
Rare. indeed. your majesty-she Is
In all things rare" suddenly ex-
claimed the count.
And where IL she gomez"
II do not know have no idea"
"But you can find her-you certainly
can bring her back"
Il hope It, your majesty hope it
very much. But then, as to the coin?"
he added. somewhat maliciously-for
he knew we'll enough where sat the
wind in royal quarters.
"Oh, yes. about the coin. Well, I
only going to ask you to and it
for me-"
THAT seems simple. your majesty!
Even though l do not know where the
young girl H."
THAT is why l ask you, my dear
count"
Agreed then. your majesty. OF
what use 10 . servant Of the king II
he cannot do the kings will? l &C
cept your errAnd. l will oon return
to you the coin-at least. hope 50.
After all. perhaps It has no such value
you seem to Think Am SURF it has
less value for you than other things
that We might mention"
Count Frederick did not add aloud
what was In his own mind-the truth
tho coin had more value for
him than he 1t any time before now
had believed.
Presently he excused himself from
the royal presence and departed to
put into effect q little plan Of his own
which he fancied might blunt both
horns Of this dilemma into which the
naivets Of King Michael SO suddenly
had placed him.
Az luck would have It, there had
been thrown into his hands the kings
half OF the coin.
Count Frederick thought for q mo-
ment before he made q plan. Then
hs made . hurried journey to . GER
ain.silversmith In whose skill he had
much confidence.
Make me-" he said az he laid upon
the counter his piece Of tho coin-"a
Of this-absolutely, line for
line. 80 that ! myself cannot tell the
two apart Do you hear me? Can 1t
be done!"
Yes, sxcsllsncy," said the workman,
1T can be done-so nicely that l my.
self scarcely could tell them apart"
Then quick with It,. said Count
How soon?"
by tomorrow. excelleucy. I promise
you q duplicate"
It was therefore on the morrow
that Count Frederick was able n c
more to visit the royal palace with q
mind more at peace with circum-
stances. With him no carried what
Was apparently the kings half Of the
coin which he had given to the young
American % carelessly. and which
now ct once hs coveted again-since
the young American herself was gone.
80 soon!" exclaimed Michael. You
are the acme Of punotiliousness and
efficiency, my dear count. You arc
indeed = man Of results. Go now to
my cabinet again and help yourself to
n~>A AA-AV> $500 A---