The Elbert County tribune., 1915-12-10

which he desired to
make to Count Frederick at once
'Confound his royal highness." cx-
claimed Frederick to himself. II never
leave him but he asks me back at
once. He is always in some trouble,
and I am ili-disposed now to be nurse
to any king. for l have affairs 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. Il asked your return be-
cause Of a sudden thought that had
come to my mind
'As to what. your majesty Did It
come to you alone. unassisted7"
The king was too much preoccupied
to concern himself with sarcasm.
"Yes, assuredly. 1t is regarding the
COIN
THE coin, thought your majesty
cared little for it-so little that you
gave 1t away unasked to one who is
not even of our country-a stranger
the young American"
Precisely. That is true. And l had
cause for my act. But. sec you, one
does not make gifts unrequited. Now
the young American has disappeared.
and SO has the coin. Perhaps, rather,
should reverse that, and say that the
coin has disappeared and with it the
young American. At least, that Is to
say-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.
gauging the man before him, this imi-
tation of a king.
She was a most charming young
person." began the king. trying to
conceal his own thoughts. DO you
not think such hair as hers is rare?"
Rare. indeed. your majesty-she is
clnimed the count.
And where is she gomez"
81 do not know-I have no idea"
But you can find her-you certainly
can bring her back"
Il hope 1t. your majesty hope 1t
very much. But then. as to the coin?"
he added. somewhat maliciously-for
he knew well enough where sat the
wind In royal quarters.
"Oh, yes, about the coin. Well.
was only going to ask you to find It
for me-"
THAT seems simple. your majesty!
Even though l do not know where the
young girl is"
THAT is why l ask you. my dear
count"
Agreed then. your majesty. or
what use is servant of the king II
he cannot do the kings will? l ac-
cept your errand. l will soon return
to you the coin-at least. hope SO.
After all. perhaps 1t has no such value
as you seem to think am sure 1t 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 to
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 it. there had
been thrown into his hands the king 8
half of the coin.
Count Frederick thought for mo-
ment before he made plan. Then
he made hurried journey to GER
tain silversmith in whose skill he had
much confidence.
Make me-" he said as he laid upon
replica OF this-absolutely, line for
line, SO that / myself cannot tell the
two apart. Do you hear me? Can 1t
be done2'
Yes, excellency," said the workman,
"it can be done-so nicely that l my
self scarcely could tell them apart"
Then quick with it," said Count
Frederick. How soon?"
by tomorrow, excellency. ! promise
you a duplicate"
1t 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-since
the young American herself was gone.
$50 soon" exclaimed Michael. "You
are the acme of punctiliousness and
efficiency. my dear count. You are
indeed man of results. Go now to
my cabinet again and help yourself to
such jewels as you fancy"