The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1915-08-13
THIRD INSTALLMENT
CHAPTER XII.
The King of Gretzhoffen.

The King of Gretzhoffen.
you majesty does me honor"
1t was with simple dignity that the
young American girl spoke these
words to the monarch in whose pres
ence she found herself fresh from her
late adventures.
1--WE could not too much honor so
charming a representative of your
great country, my dear young lady"
said Michael.
DO not misunderstood me, your
majesty" resumed the young woman.
at is more than possible / have been
brought before you under false pre-
lenses. / am not a person of rank,
am indeed but a prisoner taken yonder
by outlaws. But for the wit of my
servant think might have been held
for ransom"
ut were large ransom would be fit
for such hostage as yourself, ma
demoiselle. Whatever it was it would
have been paid, had we but known!"
II thank you, sire. Perhaps there
will be no future need. In sooth, from
the way the bandit chieftain looked on
another of our party, 1 would rather
think he would prefer him to myself
as hostage"
Whom do you mean?"
"The Count Frederick, sire"
Again the Count Frederick! He
seems always to come into my affairs"
The annoyance in the kings face was
unmistakable.
HE has been much concerned in
my own"
How, mademoiselle?"
Il must explain? Sire, 1 came to
your country only in my professional
capacity had no more urgent err
rand than to find the half of certain
missing coin. The other half had come
into my possession by chance. 1t was
my fancy"
What, broken coin? You inter-
est me. Mademoiselle, felt from the
first moment that eventually we would
find some common ground of interest.
A COMA broken coin-I know OF
some such thing myself. There are
current stories about it. See, 1 have
for some strange reason to have
fancy for it himself. Would you like,
then, to see it?"
Kitty's eyes flashed in eagerness.
above all things, sire! 1t would
complete my happiness to see it,
Then you shall, assuredly."
He bowed in somewhat adipose- gal |
lantry as she extended her hand to-
ward the pudgy palm in which lay the /
object which for her held such inter-
est. In glance she saw the identity |
of the missing half. The remaining |
words of the inscription-they were
there, she was sure. Torture cham
ber-treasures of the king" 1t was
plain to her. These two pieces of
metal joined would represent a story
worth the having.
do you not desire it, then?" The
voice of the monarch carried GER
tain reproach.
Desire it, your majesty! should
desire nothing so much in all the
world. With both halves in my hand
sire, | should feel that the world
was mine.'
why not crafty that wish then,
mademoiselle? Listen. Count Fred
erick desired this very trinket-for a
lady, he said. Here is lady who de-
sires it for herself. Why should we
not give it her-why should we not
have right as good as his?"
you cannot mean it for me?"
'But yes, precisely! And listen, my
dear young lady. There is something
about this broken coin which begins
to annoy me. Count Frederick is al
ways referring to 1t for one reason or
another-he has some motive which
cannot divine. Now, of late / have
had abundant troubles, many persons
who importune me. In these serious
times, the people being so discomfort
ed, we have matters of more impOr-
lance than to triae with this trinket,
as say. You desire it. It bores
me. Who better than yourself should
own 1t If you like?"
Kitty stood looking at him, scarce [
believing what he said. King Mi
chael went on:
Two things interest me today, my
dear lady. First, how to quiet my I
people; the second, to discover some I
fashion which shall keep you here in {
our own country, interested and use {
full. l am convinced OF your own wis
dom, your own justice-your own ex- 8
perience In your land as to law and
liberty and justice. Sometimes out of I
the mouth of a woman-a lady of I
rank, OF experience lone might learn t
the better how to carry on the duties
Of state"
And the duties Of the state would II