Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1915-11-11
THIRD I%NSTALLMENT
CHAPTER XII.

CHAPTER XII. !
The King Of G~retzhoffen.
"You majesty does me honor"
1t var with simple dignity that t.
young American girl spoke these
words to the monarch in whose pres.
ence she found herself fresh from her
late adventures.
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.
Sit is more than possible l have been
brought before you under false pre-.
lenses. | am not a person of rank,
am indeed but a prisoner taken yonders
by outlaws. But for the wit of my
servant | think l might have been held
for q ransom
1T were large ransom would be fit
for such hostage as yourself, ma
demoiselle. Whatever 1t was it would
have been paid, had We but known!"
Il thank you, sire. Perhaps there
will be no future need. In sooth, from
the way the bandit chieftain looked on
another Of u party, | would rather
think he would prefer him to myself
IA hostage" ... .
Whom do you mean?"
THE Count Frederick, sire" ~
u. Again the Count Frederick! He
assad1siIaiiWgaysSte come .iIto my atfairssos3
The annoyance. in the kings face was
unmistakable. ~
He has been much concerned in
my own"
How, mademoiselle?"
Il must explain? Sire. I came to
your country only in my professional
capacity had no more urgent Ell.
rand than to find the half of a certain
missing coin. The other half had come
into my possession by chance. 1t wa
my fancy"
What. q broken coin? You inter.
est me. Mademoiselle, l 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, I have
it, for my good friend Frederick seems
for some strange reason to have q
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 a glance she saw the identity
OF the missing half. The remaining
words of the insc-iption-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, them" The
voice of the monarch carried q 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 q 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 it 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 trifle with this trinket,
a. l say. You desire it. 1t boree
me. Who better than yourself should
own it if you like""
Kitty stood looking at him, scarce
believing what he said. King Mi
chael went on:
1.-TWO things interest me today, my
dear lady. First. how to quiet my
people; the second, to discover some
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 W ex'
perience in your land as to law and
liberty and justice. Sometimes out OF
the mouth of a woman-a lady OF
rank. Of experience-cne might learn
the better how to carry on the duties
of q state"
And the duties Of the state woul!