The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1915-10-21
The Broken Coin
Of Story of By EMERSON Houez
Mystery and
~ From the Scenario by
adventure Grace Cunard
By EMERSON HOUCH


ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Wright A. P.stszsoa,
broken. wish to know it all. am
informed that you have seen both
halves Of this coin, and therefore know
the entire message. Read it to mo at
once"
Kitty took the coin in her hand as
though to study it. but swiftly put her
own hand behind her back as she
clutched It.
1T is my property" said she stout
ly. mot even king can take away
property without course Of law"
Even q king was astonished at the
ehrontery of the young girl-who held
her possession until two sturdy guards
forced the coin from her hand. The
king smiled at her. a somewhat tooth
less smile.
$50 you value it? Many do. We are
willing to pay for what we have, ma
demoiselle- the message of this
coin we mean to have. Give it to US,
and you shall be set free"
"Your majesty is Mberal-you offer
what is already mine-the right to
liberty. But what you ask IL impos-
sible for me. True, have seen each
half Of the coin-even saw both
halves at one time-but never have l
read the entire inscription"
"But you have seen both halves"
went on Cortislaw. Tell me, what
was on the other half"
"Your majesty, l cannot-I do not
know"
"By the saints Of our fathers" ex-
claimed Cortislaw, III this were in the
olden days the torture chamber should
show you something. But now"
"The torture. could wiring only de-
ception from me, your majesty, and
that deception would be of no service
to you. I have told you the truth
and that alone can serve you. Give
me my liberty again-and then per-
haps might learn more of the other
half of the COIN"
"The girl argues WE'LL" said Cortis-
law. II am not sure whether or not
she speaks truth, but her argument
goes to the same thing in either case.
Let her go under guard-perhaps
something may arise to give us fur
Their insight into this.
"As for you, Count Sachio, you have
not yet succeeded in what was asked Of
you-you have not yet taught us
where lies the hidden treasure of
| Gretzhoffen!"
"Your majesty" replied the count.
reddening. 1T is but inadvertence
which shall be amended. In my zeal
I fancied your majesty would rather
have this young woman than to have
the other half Of the coin. To secure
that may require yet more time"
The king fixed on him the cold smile
which his courtiers had learned to
dread, yet he could not fail to see the
shrewdness of Sachio's reply.
"At least guard her, then" said he
dryly. "She shall be our guest until
we learn more of what she knows. It
means too much to forego the full
reading of that coin these days.
mean to have it. trust all my officers
Will realize that fact.
"Mademoiselle," said Sachio to Kit
ty, later, when she had been with
drawn to quarters which virtually
were to prove prison to her, you
have heard what the king has said
he will allow you to return to your
own country unframed if you but help
him to the meaning of that inscription.
What is it to you? 1t is only idle curl
osity brings you hither. With us it
| may mean the life or death of our
country"
Kitty gave herself up to certain re.
Elections at the time AS to war be-
tween the two kingdoms. if it came,
why should she aid Grahoffen against
the country with which she had be-
come more familiar? Neither had
done her much courtesy, true. but for
some strange reason her sympathies
were not with the country governed
by this irascible and unlovely king.
Think well, mademoiselle," went
on Sachio, ut is long way from here
to your country. The coin can mean
but little to you at best"
at may mean much to me-" broke
out Kitty suddenly. Listen. This
coin is not the property of your king
or of that other king. 1t is the prop.
erty of the people of these countries.
1t seeks to tell them its story-not to
any king for his selfish purposes-but
it seeks to make known it's appeal for
Justice and liberty. What, think you
the people will forever be content to
remain a shuttlecock between you
two?"
A moment later and he had left
her once more to her own devices.