The Washington times., 1915-07-11
THIRD INSTALLMENT.
CHAPTER XII.
CHAPTER XI.
lv Jour majesty does me honor
1t was with simple dignity
that the young American CIR

herself fresh from her late adventures.
She stood now, gaining calm from her
very dangers and poise from the exigen-
cies of her surroundings. and faced the
King Of Gretzhoffen in the royal palace
as though such were not an unusual
experience in her life. The monarch
whom she addressed was none to evoke
too much reverence. The weak face.
puffed and bloated with excuses. was
today more than usually unpleasing.
His figure, in the tight corsets which.
after the fashion of some European
army officers, encased him. was one that
could not be denied. spite Of the arts
OF his costumier. lie was clad well: his
appointments were th lse Of wealth and
pow vet Mi = Iel did not look the
king.
Perhaps 6 his own sense of lack
that made L .ore willing to appease
orable opinion he so clearly coveted.
ms speech, since the moment he found
hihpself with small ceremony in the
presence Of this young woman, had ot
late even more cordial. In that distract
ed land convention broke readily
enough IN the whole court-even the
King went directly to his humors. his
that Kitty had got on famously thus
far In her first interview with royalty.
We could not too much honor So
Charming a representative of your great
Michael His face s was the sA1s; one sood Sa,d
thing about him. and as he spoke there
seemed to Hnger In 1t some trace of a
former kindness Of soul of a former
ruler Of a tawdry Kingdom soon to be
ruined by his own hand and that Of
his accomplices.
DO not misunderstand me, your
1T. is more than possible 1 have been
brought before you under false pre-
lenses. I am not q person. Of rank, am
indeed but prisoner taken yonder by
outlaws. But for the wit Of my servant
/ think might have been held for a
ransom"
1T were large ransom would be fit
Tor such hostage as yourself. mademoi-
selle. Whatever 1t was It would have
Eeen paid, had we but known
Il thank you, sire. Perhaps there will
way the bandit chieftain looked on
another Of our party. I would rather
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? AS said, am not
a person of rank
DO not deny your birthright made
oiselle! You look lineage itself"'
But in our country we have neither
rank nor titles. We believe in justice,
work, In law and liberty"
"Work-you, mademoiselle?'
Sire, / came to your country only
in my professional capacity-I had no
mora MrRanf arranH thon N ho
half OF certain missing coin. The
other half had come into my possession
by chance. 1t was my fancy"
5reksn o9in? 3et ,r9 You Interest
moment that eventually we would find
some common ground of interest. A
coin-a broken coin-I know Of some
such thing myself. There are current
for my good friend Frederick seems for
some strange reason to have a fancy
for It himself Would you like. then.
Kitty's eyes flashed In eagerness.
above all things. sire! 1t would COM
plete my happiness to see It,"
Then you shall, assuredy. IT will
world to give you the slightest pleasure
IN the world We would show our feeling
toward the great America of which we
hear so much-that land of Law and lib
seiiKs. setiKI'nd of beautiful women mAdemo'-
He bowed in somewhat adipose gall
lantry as she extended her hand toward
s the pudtsy palm in, in which Sh lay the object
eyes devoured It. although she did not
raise her own hand to receive It, In a
glance shs saw the Identity of the miss
Ing half. The milled edge Of the coin
naming words of the inscription-they
were there, she was sure Torture
chamber-treasures Of the king" It was
plain to her. These two pieces of metal
Joined would represent a story worth
"Do you not desire II. then7" The
voice Of the monarch carried a certain
reproach.
sire nothing so much in all the world.
with both halves In my hand-sire, I
should feel that the world was mine"
why not crafty that wish then.
desired this very trinket-for a lady. he
said. Here Is lady who desires It for
herself Why should we not give to her
why should we not have right as good
as hisr'
You cannot mean 1t 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 always
referring to 1t for one reason or anoth-
divine. Now. of late have had abund-
ant troubles. manv persons wGo impor-
tune me. In these serious times, the
people being so discontented. we have
matters of more Importance than to
trifle with this trinket. as l say. You
say you desire It. 1t hores me. Who bet
ter than yourself should own It II you
like?"
Kitty stood looking at him. scarce be-
lievinx what he said. King Michael went
on:
Two things interest me today. my
dear lady. First. how to quiet my peo-
Pile: the second, to discover some fash
lon which shall keep you here in our
own country, interested and useful.
am convinced Of your own wisdom, your
own tustice-your own experience In
your land as to law and liberty and
Justice. Sometimes out OF the mouth OF
q woman-s lady OF rank. Of experience
ono might learn the better how to carry
or the duties of state"
And the duties ~ the state would
dispose your majesty wholly to the
good OF his people?"
precisely 1t is as ] would have said
II. msdemoiseue. You Americans are
aNtEaprAibaru