davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Spectator., 1915-11-23

Il have made my plans. My own regf- ments will be faithful. The regiments of the king are none too faithful. The banditti of the desert are with us. To- morrow there will be new king in Gretzhoffen, and that king will be- Frederick the First"
 Kitty slipped from the room. The hall was empty. An instant later she was out of the great entry and passing to her car.
 At her hotel once more she hurried to her room. Here was somewhat to be done She knew the plot now-all was plain as to the intentions of Fred erick in regard to the kingdom of Gretzhoffen and to the monarch who held the throne.
 Your majesty" she wrote in her rolling hand now, "the young Ameri- can so much honored by your gift which is returned to your care at mid night tonight-has by chance learned of plot to injure your majesty and to injure the kingdom of Gretzhoffen as well. Trust her to explain when op- portunity shall come. Meantime have the word of one who is solicitous for your safety. Drink no wine. Beware"
 Once more she telephoned to the bureau of telegraphs, called for a mes senger. and sent her simple missive to the king.
The Spectator., 1915-11-23
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dispose your majesty wholly to the good of his people?"
 Precisely. It is as I would have said it, mademoiselle. You Americans are extraordinary"
 Kitty took from his hand the broken bit of metal and regarded it thought fully,
 q thank you more than I can tell your majesty" said she. soberly. Tt shall be my mission to find out for your people the uncompleted message of this coin"
 A silver bell sounded afar in the hall, announcing the approach of a servant. An official of the palace en' tered and stood motionless near the door.
 What then, Andreas?"
 "The Count Frederick of Gretzhof- fen; the Count Sachio of Grahaffen.' '
 Let them enter, Andreas."
 Both gentlemen bowed deeply as they entered and each kissed the royal hand respectfully. Kitty ig nored Count Sachio and bowed but coldly to Count Frederick.
 Count Frederick, in whose mind seemed to finger but scant remem- brance of any unpleasant scenes in which he had figured. smiled now. and after the American fashion. as he fancied, held out his hand.
 Kitty could not refuse it. Quickly she shifted the broken bit of coin from her right hand to her left quickly, but not so quickly as to es- cape the keen eyes of the man who faced her now.
 Count Sachio, you are welcome from your kingdom to ours. I believe you have never heard of the young American of distinction who has come among us of late-you have not metz
 Kitty looked calmly at the count and made no reply.
 Pas encore, votre majeste." replied Sachio in the common language used
The Spectator., 1915-11-23
CHAPTER XII.
Before the Ball.

In her hotel, albeit something of subject of gossip. as she herself could not but know, Kitty felt herself at least safe from any such occurrences as of late had been her lot. Roleau still was missing.
 It was the morning of the great black and white ball when Kitty, her gown finally in her own possession, stood before the tall mirror in her rooms to give it its final proving.
 The case on her dressing table now held but a few simple rings and brooches. trifling things which had been given her or which from time to time she had purchased for her self
 The only thing of value which lay upon the table was something which she most wished to conceal, and not to display. The broken coin-how could she make sure that it would be safe?
 Kitty swiftly conceived plan which she fancied would afford greater safe ty for the cherished coin. There was at hand no machinery of ceremony, even had she been familiar with it.. "The simplest way is the best" said she to herself, her lips compressed.
 She sat at her desk and inclosed the broken coin in a double sheet of paper. Upon one sheet she wrote these few words:
 
 Your Majesty, the young American woman so honored with this gift asks it's safekeeping for little time"
The Spectator., 1915-11-23

at it she saw face thrust out--a face upturned towards her.
 "Roleau!" she exclaimed. "Can it be possible? Roleau, help mel" Kitty extended her arms appealingly. "I am a prisoner here-they have locked me in-there is no way out. Help mel"
 Roleau's own presence in the palace she did not at the moment undertake to explain. AS matter of fact. he had but that day come in from the camp of the banditti, where he had been detained.
 Wait" he cried "I will show you. :"
 An iron grating, with the stairs of fire escape, led down directly in front of Roleau's window. He came out upon this, braced his legs across, and back under the rail, and held out his mighty arms.
 Jump" he cried: 'it is safe"
 An instant later she was on the iron grating and into the window. and Ro- leau, gaunt unshaven, smiling. her friend and rescuer, had led her to the door.
 Come he said, and without paus- ing for any discussion, he hurried out, she following.
 "It Is late. Roleau," whispered Kitty back to him. Tt is eleven o'clock. The king goes to the great ball at midnight Hurry. 1 must be there. Quick"
The Spectator., 1915-11-23

servants. , had entered with him, approached Count Frederick. He raised hand to beckon to the official.
 Your majesty" whispered Kitty Gray, that is the package which I myself sent you this morning-take 1t quickly-I marked it for you at mid night"
 Shall open it for your majesty?" Count Frederick bent forward polite ly.
 "No.' said Michael. q know the one who sent it. Let herself open 1t now."
 Kitty broke the simple seal upon the plain envelope in which she had enclosed the coin that morning. She smiled at Michael radiantly now. and at Count Frederick. though not ra- diantly.
 The dance swept on, the crash of reed and brass filling the arched dome of the great salon. In through the great doors came the cries of those not splendidly garbed. those who stood without the palace-"Long live the Etng."
 But the king stood curiously regard ing the change in expression which he saw on the face of the young American.
 Well. then. mademoiselle? said he.
 cTo BE c0NTINUEDl
The Spectator., 1915-11-23
CHAPTER XII.
4 Prisoner.


 Having dispatched her messages, Kitty Gray sat alone once more in her room. There came to her mind once more the reflection that now she had not even one portion of the broken coin As to that which had gone to the king, she felt fairly sure that she might regain it. As to that which had been taken from her by force by Count Frederick. she was far as ever from it's possession.
 "The simplest way is the best" said she once more. I'll go back there again."
 'I was not so fortunate as to find monsieur the count at home before. she explained to the attendants who met her at the door.
 Monsieur the count has gone out but now"
 A sudden resolution came to Kitty's mind even as sudden flush came to her cheek.
 "So? Then I will wait his coming. If you please. the apartments of mon- sieur the count"
 The man left her. and she closed the door. An instant later she was at work turning over the articles on the dresser, peering here and there look ing this way and that-and unsuccess- fully.
 But meantime the attendant who had left her, anxious to be of service to his master. sent out posthaste to summon Count Frederick to his re- turn. He met the ccdnt himself, and yet another attendant, upon the point of entering the palace. The newcomer was talking to the count excitedly. "Excellency. 1 tell you the woman is outwitting you. She sent her half the coin this very morning-sent it to the king by special messenger. l saw it-I felt it in the envelope. am sure. There is some plot afoot. And brought the news as soon as possible. but have searched for you long" Come" said Frederick. and he hastened the more when he met the messenger advising him of Kitty's
  Her search still uncompleted Kitty heard footsteps approaching, and turned desperately like some trapped | animal. There was no escape-the narrow window, as she knew, was two | stories above the court below. And even as she stepped to the door she met there the smiling. sardonic face of Count Frederick himself.
 The honor is mine, mademoiselle! said he with icy politeness. True. had not expected you"
 Shamefaced. confused, for once un- able to make any explanation. Kitty could but stand and stare at him. An instant later she heard the click of the lock and the passing of footsteps in the hall once more. She was alone She was a prisoner! She sat alone, helpless. unanswered in spite of her pounding on the door her cries for help. until she was utter ly weary-until the shades of night | came.
 She looked at her watch. The hour was approaching eleven. The great black and white ball was now in prog ress at the winter palace across the city
 She went to the window and looked out into the night. All the court was dark--save one window directly below her on the opposite side, fifteen feet below. ten feet across the narrow courtway. Even as she looked down
The Spectator., 1915-11-23

the world who wished him to drink wine. Why? Who was that person? Might 1t not be this man here--Count Frederick-the man whom really he feared? If so, would not feigned in- toxication serve well to discover the others nature?
 Reasoning thus, King Michael with small exertion of histrionic art man. aged to give an excellent imitation to his friend of monarch far gone in
 wine. Frederick, pleading fatigue and thirst, piled him farther, and Michael apparently yielded. using still such arts as served him for the time be- ing.
 When, not too long before the ap- pointed hour of midnight, Frederick left the palace, he left behind him as he was assured, monarch hopelessly fuddled.
 So the lights famed on at all the windows of the Winter palace. Suddenly the music broke. crashed and swept into the national air. A
 murmur went about! The king! The dancers hastened back to the sides of the room. All eyes turned toward the great entrance.
 Under the festooned flags. escort ed by his uniformed officers. himself
 wearing all his decorations and garbed
 as king should be, there appeared King Michael of Gretzhoffen. The hour of midnight struck. The eyes of more than one man on the
 great dancing floor-including those of Count Frederick of Gretzhoffen-
 looked at the king amazed. Here was
 no staggering monarch, maudlin in his cups, come to make a spectacle of
 himself before his people. No, he walked straight as any. And behind him from the street there came not
 shouts of derision, but something of
 welcome, of confidence-a pitiful ex-
 pression of people willing yet long,
 CT to endure king.
 At the kings side, her hand on his
 arm, there walked the figure of tall
 and beautiful woman. arrayed-as
 were all those others present-in a
 costume of black and white-a tall
 young woman whom not many of those
 present recognized. A few passed the word, "The American!" The music of the royal anthem l ceased. An instant and the orchestra broke out once more in the sensuous strains of southern waltz. King
 Michael as yet did not dance, but he gave word that the ball should pro- ceed. A uniformed officer of the court
 now approached Count Frederick as he stood not far removed from the royal presence.
 Monsieur, the count" said he de- | ferentially, q have had for some hours in my possession this package | which have not opened. It is marked to be presented to his majesty at mid | night here. Do you think it should be l delivered?"
 Even as they spoke the king him. self, accompanied. in accordance with
 his request. by the young woman who
The Spectator., 1915-11-23
CHAPTER XIV.
The Ballroom.

The Ballroom.
 In his own apartments that evening Michael the king had passed the time in somewhat preoccupied fashion. Left alone, and hence unhappy in his coun- sels, he welcomed the announcement of the chamberlain who advised him of the presence of the Count Sachio of Grahaffen, who wished to pay his com pliments to the king.
 Come then, my dear count, said Michael to him. You are very wei come at this hour. You will have a glass of our own vintage-I have a cask of Lucoyen which is quite worth while"
 With all my heart said Count Sachio.
 The attendant removed the cork from the bottle reverently. poured | slowly, gently, the amber fluid into | the tall glasses upon the table. It was at that moment that King Michael be- | thought him of a certain message handed to him but left until now un- | opened He frowned as he looked at
 
 to royalty, and urging haste. "'lm- portant.' Is it so? What shall do. my dear count? Throw it away"
 Count Sachio cast glance upon the inscription.
 | Your majesty" said he, it is in throw away any letter a woman writes to you-and by no means write one yourself. Am I not good coun- sel?"
 Smiling, King Michael broke open the small hotel seal frowning as he did so ity on the part of someone. he knew not who. But as his eyes ran over the few lines of the message his ex- | pression suddenly changed. The words remained deeply written on his mind. Your majesty young Ameri- can drink no wine."
 Count Sachio looked on respectfully. his glass arrested, naturally venturing no comment. King Michael made no effort to turn the conversation. He left his wine untasted! Indeed. our people also are grow. ing in audacity," went on Count Sachio presently. But I pledge your maj esty long and happy reign" He raised his glass and waited.
 Drink heartily. good Count Sachio,' said King Michael. "As for myself. have dined but lately. as said. The doctors say dreadful things to me. You excuse me?"
 He had poured but small portion in his own glass, and raised his hand against more.
 Sachio was obliged to admit to Count Frederick. whom now he early sought. that he doubted the full sue cess of his errand.
 Leave him then to me-" ex. claimed Frederick-"he never fails to do as ask. Make ready for the ball time presses now. 1 myself will hasten to see the king before he leaves for the winter palace"
 Frederick. making urPent excuses now to enter the apartments of the king after his arrival. found the mon- arch in the same apartment. stolidly regarding the now empty bottle of wine.
 A certain idea came to the brain of Michael. the king. as he now ac- knowledged the visit of Count Fred. erick at so late an hour If this message had warned him not to drink wine-then there must be someone in
The Spectator., 1915-11-23

at court with strangers present. Not yet" His face flushed deeply as he lied.
 "Ah, very well, then it Is time. At the ball perhaps we shall all be pres ent. Mademoiselle. your invitation shall come from us duly"
 Kitty took this to be her dismissal. and with deep thanks and the best curtsy she could muster, bowed her self from the room. after to be es- corted by grave official to her car.
The Spectator., 1915-11-23
.loPsis.

wspaper woman, finds in
 If of & broken coin, the
 .ption on which arouses
 nd leads her, at the order lg editor, to go to the prin- ca -.retzhoffen to piece out the suggested by the inscription. She Is d. and on arrival in Gretzhoffen ventures while chasing the secret broken coin begin.
The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1915-02-10
Sardinia.

Misses Mary Dickson, Afford Nc
Faddin, Anna May DuBose, Carolyn
Bigham, Garland McCutchen, Mar
garet Garland, Annie Reeves, Mar
garet Reeves ard Katherine DuRant,
spent last Saturday week ago at Miss
Gertrude DuRant's.
Mr.. and Mrs. J. n. McCord returned
home last week.
The Palmetto Literary Society will
hold It's meeting at the Sardinia school
building Friday evening, February the
18th. at 7:30 o'clock. Public invited.
Mr.. Ryan Woods has returned to col
lege in Charleston, after spending a
few days at home.
Misses Roberta and Bessie McFaddin
spent the weekend with Miss Virginia
Warren at "McBride,' returning Sun.
day evening to the Christian Endeavor
society.
The New Harmony Christian En-.
deavor Society had very nice meeting
in the Sardinia school building Sunday
evening. We had a very large crowd
which l think found the meeting very
interesting. E. A. NJ.
The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1915-02-10
Cotton ssComes Back. /"

The cotton situation isn't so bad at
ter all. With the staple selling we'll
over eight cents, and dealers predict
ing that it will 60 to ten cents, the ap-
parent disaster the war brought to the
South is fast vanishing.
The foreign market has strengthen
ed greatly during the last few weeks.
New Orleans exporters expect to see
our shipments aggregate 5,000'000 bales
by March 1st, although it was thought
earlier that tthe total exports for the
whole season would not exceed six mil
lion bales. If the expected 100000
mark is reached so soon, the exports
will then be within 2,000,00 bales Of
the usual figure.
With it's chief product flowing out in
such volume, and cash flowing in cor
respondingly, the South is fast getting
on it's feet again. The $l35. 900, 900 pool
intended for cotton loans is going beg
ging for borrowers.
The fact that "you can't eat cotton"
is now as fortunate for the cotton
growers as it wes formerly unfortunate
for cotton will continue to enter Ger
many and Austria freely, while all food
stuffs are barred as contra5and, Europe
will presumably take its usual quantity
of raw cotton, even though it takes it
more slowly and pays less for it.
But the South has learned its lesson,
It's safe to say that there will be more
self-sustaiuing plantations this year
than for "a generation. Hogs, poultry
and cattle will dispute the absolutism
of King Cotton, and the present record
prices for wheat and corn will cause a
big increase in the grain acreage
Augusta Chronicle.
The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1915-02-10

ing anything from cigars to sausages
ment sees to prompt delivery free of
charge. I have been in several hos
pitals, and the wounded, friend or enc
my, have good clean bed and clean
clothes and proper attention all the
time.
"Cotton?-yes, I know personally
that we have been getting in some cot
ton; I have seen a good ceal of it lying
about the depots. just before left"
MIR. Stelzner landed in New York
city January %, from the steamer Os-
car II, Danish. he left Copenhagen,
Denmark, Jan. IA.
"We have plenty of soldiers" said
Mr.. Steiner, land quite number of
German-Americans came oyer with
me. My passport is good for reen-
trance up to April l." Mr.. Stelzner's
passport is booklet having his pic
ture on one side and the necessary Off
cial information on the other. Rigid
search is made before one can pass the
German border, according to Mr.. Stelz
ner He says he had an uneventful
voyage over, only one ship being spok-
en- to on the way. About 400 passen-
gers were on board the Oscar II, many
of them Danes and Norwegians who
are on the way to obtain work at the
San Francisco exposition.
Mr.. Steiner has many friends in
Sumter. His brother who visited this
country two years ago is working for
tho e., bro r,no 6ooo rtnopt Of rho Ger-
man navy.
The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1915-02-10
Baptist Church.

Sunday School 1890 m. E. L.
Wilkins Superintendent.
Glasses for all. Class in Christian
Doctrine, taught by the pastor. Sub
ject, "Man's part il being saved"
Morning service 1l:30 d. N. Infor-
tional address by the pastor on the
great religious movements throughout
the world. Subject, "Can Christianity
Wiu?" Evening service, 7:30 p. m. II.
lustrated Travelogue on Southern Bap
tist Home Missions. About IS hand
some Stereopticon views, mostly in
eolors. showing Panama Canal, life
among the Indians, Mexican frontier,
Cuban scenes, and the great South
west. You cannot afford to miss the
Illustrated Travelogue to to be given
at the Baptist church Sunday evening
at 7:30. Pastor Ansley has secured
over 60 beautiful stereopticon views,
most ef them colored by hand, showing
the most interesting features of home
life, industry, landscapes, and rellg-
ious life in Cuba, the Panama Canal
Zone. the Indians, Oklahoma, Texas
and the Mexican frontier.
J. A. ANSLEY.
Pastor.
The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1915-02-10

Court of common pleas convened
here Monday the 1st, and adjourned
Thursday sine die, with a number OF
cases OF more or less importance tried.
In the case of Dickson and Vau-Metre
vs. Epps and Epps, which was land
case, the plaintiffs produced paper
chain Of title back to King George IL
the original grant dated in December,
l736, being produced in court. Besides
being in itself quite an interesting old
document, there was to the document
one of the large wax seals used in
those old days, which was about a
quarter of an inch thick and as large
as the top OF an ordinary cup. The
verdict of the jury was for the defend
ants, and an appeal has been taken to
the supreme court.
The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1915-02-10
In Memoriam.

In loving remembrance of my de-
voted aunt Martha Kelley, who enter
ed into rest Feb. 1st. 1915.
Long days and nights she bore 10
pain,
Vo wait Jor cure was all in vain
But God knoweth all things best
Did cease her pain and give her hest
Forget her, no, I never will,
I loved her then love her still.
Her memory is as fresh to day as in
the hour she passed away. Mute is the
voice and s.illed the heart that love
so yell and true, Oh bitter was the
trial to part from one 50 good as you.
Your devoted niece,
BESSIE SHEPHERD.
The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1915-02-10
Bread Goes Up In South Carolina Towrs

Spartanburg. Feb. 8-August Cell.
fuss, president OF the Southeastern
Master Bakers'a association, announc-
ed here tonight that bread would be
advanced in price from cents to 6
cents loaf at once over the six
States-North and South Carolina,
Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee and
Florida-e nbraced in the organization.
He said that bread is now selling for 6
cents in Wilmington, Charlotte, Greens
boro, Greenville and Asheville, and
that price will become effective in all
small towns throughout the section to-
morrow.
The advance in the price of -four is
responsible for the Increase in the
price of bread. From the bakery here
5000 loaves are shipped daily, and.
according to MIR. Geilfuss, the raw
-four contained in this output costs
s62 so more per day than it cost before
war was declared.
The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1915-02-10
Honor Ro!l--Jordan.

Honor Ro!l--Jordan.
Second Grade
Thomas Sprots
Fourth Grade
Willie Graham
Louise Sprott
Bessie Ridgill
Fifth Grade
Lucille Rawlipson
Eugene Plowden
Elizabeth Sprott .
Lima Rawlinson
Seventh Grade
Marion Lowder
Paul Graham
Eighth Grade
Sue Plowden
Lillian Bradham
Ninth Grade
Dewey Graham
David Bradham
Cora Thompson
Leona Rideill
Fred Rawlinson
Tenth Grade
Anna Wilkie
Lorraine Thompson
Julius E. Clark.
Principal.
The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1915-02-10
Committees for Civic League.

Court House-Mrs. Jske Weinberg,
Mrs. Chas Geiger, Mrs. A. 81. Breed
in. Mrs. J. II. Rigby.
Library-Mrs. A. c. Bradham, Miss
Bessie Harvin, Mrs. John S. Wilson.
Cemetery-Mrs. T. NJ. Mouzon, Mrs.
Venning. Mrs. Sauls.
Street-Mrs. JOHN Breedin, Mrs. T.
NJ. Mouzon.
Entertainment-Mrs. w. G.. Davis,
Mrs. Furman Bradham, Mrs. Joe DAY.
is.
Depot-Mrs. Dave Levi, Mrs. A. S.
Todd, Mrs. Charlton DuRant.