The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1915-09-10

the message from the king asked his
attendance at the palace as soon az
| might be. The king had. 1t seemed, q
communication which he. desired tc
make to Count Frederick at once.
"Confound his royal highness!" ex
claimed Frederick to himself. Il never
leave him but he asks me back al
once. He is always in some trouble
and I am ill-disposed now to be nurse
to any king, for I 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.
"Goodi Count Frederick" Michael
greeted him. 81 asked your return be-
cause of a sudden thought that had
come to my mind"
CAS- to what, your majesty? Did it
come to you alone, unassisted?"
The king was too much preoccupied
to concern himself with sarcasm.
"Yes, assuredly. 1t is regarding the
coin"
1.-THE coin! I thought your majesty
cared little for it-so little that you
gave it away unasked to one who is
not even of our country-a stranger
the young American"
Precisely. That is true. And had
cause for my act. But, see you, one
does not make gifts unrequited. Now
the young American has disappeared.
and SO has the coin. Perhaps, rather,
l 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 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
In all things rare" suddenly ex-
claimed the count.
"And where is she gomez"
81 do not know have no idea"
But you can find her-you certainly
can bring her back"
81 hope it, your majesty hope it
very much. But then, as to the coin?"
he added, somewhat Neutrality-suspicious.
be knew well enough where sat the
wind in royal quarters.
ooh, yes, about the coin. Well, l
was only going to ask you to find it
for me-"
THAT seems simple, your majesty!
Even though do not know where the
young. girl is"
"That is why 1 ask you, my dear
count"
agreed then, your majesty. OF
what use is a servant of the king If |
ne cannot do the kings will? ! ac-
,ept your errand. / will soon return |
20 you the coin-at least, | hope SO.
After all, perhaps it has no such value
Is you seem to Think am sure 1t has
ess value for you than other things
hat we might mention"
Count Frederick did not add aloud
What was in his own mind-the truth
that the coin had more value for
lin than he at any time before now
lad believed.
Presently he excused himself from
he royal presence and departed to
'ut into effect little plan of his own
which he fancied might blunt both
orns of this dilemma into which the
aivete of King Michael SO suddenly
ad placed him.
AS luck would have it, there had
cen thrown into his hands the kings
alf of the coin.
Count Frederick thought for mo-
lent before he made plan. Then
9 made hurried journey to GER
ain.silversmith in whose skill he had
luch confidence. II
Make me-" he said as he laid upon [
le counter his piece of the COMA {
splica of this-absolutely line for I
ne, so that I myself cannot tell the j
vo apart. Do you hear me? Can 1t {
, done% q
Eyes, excellency," said the workman, 1
t can be done-so nicely that my '
If scarcely could tell them apart" 4
Then quick with it," said Count I
frederick. How soon?" q
by tomorrow, excellency, promise Y
III duplicate" f
1t was therefore on the morrow o
at Count Frederick was able once
ore to visit the royal palace with t
ind more at peace with circum- z
ances. With him he carried what "
Is apparently the kings half of the b
in which he had given to the young b
nerican SO carelessly, and which Ii
W at once he coveted again-since
2 young American herself was gone. m
SO sooni" exclaimed Michael. You D,
> the acme Of punctiliousness and g,
lciency, my dear count You are al
Iced a man of results. Go now to m
; cabinet again and help yourself to W
n jewels as you fancy" az
No more, your majesty, l thank sc
1. II have been of service am bs
ased. Jewels are not for me. They lii
J for wonderland no woman has pl