Durant weekly news. (Durant, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 190?-1944, 1915-08-06


make to Count Frederick at once
~Ccnfound his royal highncss," ex.
claimed Frederick to himself. Il never
leave him but be asks me back at
pnce He is always in some trouble.
and I am il-dlsposed now TO be nurse
10 any king. for have anairs OF my
own to trouble me sufficiently"
Nevertheless. grumbllng, he went
his way to the palace. for the royal
viii was something not yet at least 20
he set aside.
Good, Count Frederick" Michael
sreeted him. Il asked your return be.
cause OF sudden thought that had
icome 20 my mind
As 10 what. your majesty Did II
'eome to you alone. unassisted7"
The king was tco much preoccupied
10 concern himself with sarcasm.
Yes. assuredly. Il is regarding the
coin
The coin, thought your majesty
cared little for it--so little that you
gave Il away unasked TO one who Is
not even OF our country-a stranger
the young American"
} Precisely That Is true And had
cause for my act. But. ses you, one
idoes not make gifts unreQc4ted. Now
the young American has disappeared.
and so has the coin. Perhaps. rather.
4 should reverse that. and say that the
coin has disappeared and with 1t the
young American. At least. that is 20
lsay-they both are gone. SO | sent
for you. my dear Frederick. to tell me
what to do"
The nobleman stood for a moment
but half concealing his real feelings.
lgauging the man before him. this imi-
station Of q hing.
-she was most charming young
person" began the KING. trying to
conceal his own thoughts. do you
not think such hair as hers Is raref"
! Rare. indeed. your majesty-she is
IN all things rare" suddenly sE-
claimed the count
And where is she gomez"
Il do not know have no idea
nut yUu C8n auu g0d NCANaAAAy
can bring her back"
Il hope II, your majesty hope Il
very much. But then. as to the coinf"
ne added. somewhat maliciously-for
ne knew we'll enough where sat the
wind in royal quarters.
~Oh, yes. about the coin. Well.
was only going to ask you to find II
for me-"
THAT seems simple. your majesty
Even though l do not know where the
young girl is"
THAT is why ask you, my dear
count"
agreed then. your majesty. or
what use is a servant Of the king II
he cannot do the kings willy ! ac-
cept your errand. l will soon return
10 you the coin-at least, l hope so.
After all. perhaps II has no such value
N you seem to think--I am sure II 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
that the coin had more value for
him than he at any time before now
had believed.
Presently he excused himself from
the royal presence and departed 70
put into effect little plan OF his own
which he fancied might blunt both
horns OF this dilemma into which the
naivete OF King Michael so suddenly
had placed him
As luck would have II. there had
been thrown into his hands the kings
half OF the coin.
Count Frederick thought for mo-
ment before he made q plan. Then
ne made q hurried journey to a GER
tain.silversmith In whose skin he had
much confidence.
Make me-" he said as he laid upon
the counter his piece OF the coin-"s
replica OF this-absolutely, line for
line, so that l myself cannot tell ttsH
two apart Do you hear me? Can II
bs done!"
'Yes, excellency," said the workman
lit can be done-so nicely that my
self scarcely could tell them apart"
Then quick with It," said Count
Frederick How soon?"
by tomorrow. excellency, promise
you a duplicate"
II was therefore on the morrow
that Count Frederick was able once
more TO visit the royal palace with a
mind more at peace with circum
stances. With him he carried what
was apparently the kings half OF the
coin which he had given to the young
American so carelessly. and which
now At once he coveted again-sines
the young American herself was gone
$50 sooni" exclaimed Michael. you
are the acme Of punctiliousness and
sficiency. my dear count. rou are
indeed a man OF results. Go now tc
my cabinet again and help yourself tc
such jewels as you fancy"
ffhT. -. sAuut