The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1915-08-20
FOURTH INSTALLMENT
CHAPTER XIV.
If Your Majesty Please.


now had left the dancing floor an
gathered in groups at respectful dis
lance from royalty, Kitty received tn
envelope from the messenger-th
same packet which she had hersel
sent to the palace that morning fol
delivery at midnight.
She did this with fine air of In
souciance. for she felt quite sure tina
success now had met all her plans
nor did the outward appearance o.
the packet afford any reason to sus
pect otherwise.
Yet, even as she took the envelope
in her hand, there came to her SHARP
conviction that something was wrong
1t had strange lightness-it did not
seem quite the same as when she her
self had sealed it that morning. Has
tily, she opened the envelope, her lips
compressed. 1t was empty!
Yes, the mysterious coin was gone
Entrusted to the safest messenger she
could find; sent to the king himself;
received by the kings trusted official;
guarded, as was to be supposed, every
moment of the time since it had left
her hands-none the less, the coin had
disappeared as though some specter
hand had distracted 1t.
The blank book Of surprise which
came to her face was something not to
be mistaken. King Michael frowned.
What is this, Observation-Disclosures we
made the subject of some sport? How
now?"
Kitty stood regarding first one, then
the next of the faces about her. On
the countenance of Count Frederick
she read only chagrin and surprise
equal to her own. There was no
trace of guilty knowledge there-she
was sure of that. Then another
hand had come into the game! Some
other mind also was interested in the
mysterious coin of Gretzhoffen.
"What then, mademoiselle?" de-
manded Michael, himself not yet so
fully advised as others regarding the
nature Of this packet which had been
intended for him. What was it that
you were so good as to intend sending
us?"
question. She concluded quickly that
it would be far safer to add as little
as possible to the number of those
who knew the full story of the travel
ing coin.
your majesty" said she, turning
1t
have made any man forget all else.
ut was nothing! 1t was but a small
favor I would have sent your majesty,
to show the acknowledgment of my
own country, since your majesty has
done such honor to me tonight. Per
haps someone in my humble menage
has been unfaithful-if so, it was but
small loss after all. If your majesty
will forget 1t and give me few added
days Of grace, l will explain-I will
try again, I hope with greater for
tune"
Michael was ready enough to agree
to anything which would bring back
to his society this dazzling young crea-
ture who stood beside him.
Every well, mademoiselle," said he, |
'as you like"
A certain relief was felt by all con-
,erned, as now he turned and made
4 sign to the leader of the orchestra,
who stood, baton poised.
with us, excellenza?" The king Of
tered his arm. The king and the
7oung American, of whose origin he
knew, and apparently cared to know,
nothing whatever, were the observed
If all. Michael at least could dance,
Ind as for Kitty, she was an Ameri-
IAN girl
As they swept on in the evclutions
# the dance, Kitty caught sight OF the
lark face Of Count Sachio.
That she had earned this mans dis
Ike, or at least, had deeply hurt
lis masculine vanity. Kitty was well
lnough aware.
As for King Michael, he was extra
sober; which. in his case
vas equivalent to saying that he was
ot extraordinarily happy.
Count Frederick evaded the throngs
bout the king. Unwillingly he turned
way his eyes from the beautiful fig
re Of the young American as she
anced. He never had seen a woman
rho thrilled him thus. He himself did ]
OF dance. This was no evening OF I
leaBure for him. He had other plans.
Count Frederick started toward the |
DOR before second thought came to J
is mind. II there should for any rea- ,
on be miscarriage Of his plans-if
here should be need for yet greater
clay before his hnal overt act was I
then he ought to have
are to retain some footing in the