The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1916-05-02

they covet the Gretzhoffen COIN
The coin? What coin? Impossi
BILE! 1 have it myself-at least
half of it, mademoiselle."
"You-your majesty-how can that
be? For see, l myself have it lied
with it to get safety for it,
King MichaeTs wits were not quick
enough to meet this sudden demand
upon them.
1T travels, that coin-I would not
believe that you could have it. So now
they think he has it and have COW
eted it? Shall yonder rufian Cortis-
law take from US that which is ours?
No, mademoiselle, you are right! You
aye faithful messenger to bring us
this news. Listen, 1 myself will go to
the rescued"
Your majesty speaks as a king"
said Kitty Gray.
Pompously, the less rapid for his
avo1rdupois, King Michael turned now
to the halls.
Call out the guard" he command
ed. Sound the bugles now and bring
me my officers here. Quick, equip me,
you men-we must ride-the troops
must form"
The word passed quickly Within
the half hour iron hoofs rang on the
pavements- of Gretzhoffen avenue as
the guard, their sovereign at their
head, rode out at speed.
Left in the care Of one of the house
hold women, Kitty was shown to q
room of her own, where she might
the better arrange her apparel and
dispose herself for rest. She did
not know anything Of Sachio's pres
ence in the palace-indeed, Michael
himself had not been aware of that;
but that o-esty individual, readily
enough learning what was meant by
all this excitement, himself sped away
from the palace even before the guard
was out.
On the mountain side where they
had been left, Count Frederick and
Roleau. once master and man, now
partners elbow to elbow in a COM
mon cause, lay and looked down.
AS they looked they saw the ad-
vance of the troops below them halt
ed. Why was this?
Surely chuckled Roleau uncon-
cerned, I'VE have beaten their whole
army, the two of US! Are they no
drawer than that, these men of Ora
hoffen!"
Something has happened below
there" rejoined Count Frederick. 1--WE
could not hold out against their forces,
and it is not fear that has halted
them
They turned in the other directing,
gazing across the edge of the plain
along the upper Gretzhoffen, roadway
A cloud of dust was advancing swift
~. "Who goes there, MASTER" said
Roleau. Are they men of this king
dom or of our own"
The eyes of Count Frederick kin.
died at the sight. 'By the Lord!'
said he. "the girl has won! Now they
are coming-it is police duty for
neither Of these, but army against
army! Will it be war. or peace?"
In the event, it proved to be peace
The counsel of Count Sachio pre-
vailed. Cortis'aw's Unborn prudence
held back his hand even now, angered
as he was at this failure to secure DOS
oOSo1Ou VI the coveted coin on which
he counted SO surely to mend his own
waning fortunes. He sent forward a
band of trumpeters with white flag
for a parley. They met the advancing
forces of King Michael. There were
explanations, apologies. Within ar
hour after the dust cloud first had
been discovered. Count Frederick was
shaking the hand of his own monarch
and making such explanations as he
might efSthis scene of turbulence.
There we're two of US only, you]
majesty" said he, laughing, and point
ing up the mountain side to the steer
ridge they had left. 1.-TWO, beside thu
young woman"
Yes, yes-she came-she brought
the news. You owe your safety to her
as usual
The pourparler at length ended. the
two bodies of armed men saluted, each
dipping its banner to the other. Anf
SO, with much sounding of trumnets
each turned back in it's own direction
The leaders of each army turned bacs
as well to problems of their own. The
Coin was now in Gretzhoffen-or hall