The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1916-02-04
TWELFTH INSTALLMENT
CHAPTER XIII.
The sinews of War.

ewO little kingdoms for a time. Their
troops had faced each other In the
open field. Blood had been shed.
Generals had looked other generals
In the eye at no great distance. At
the lines of contact the imperial
rulers of the two countries had been
within earshOt one of the other.
Yet they parted now. Why?
The answer to the question lay
in the hands of the young Amer
lean girl. Sundered, the two halves
OF the divided Gretzhoffen coin still
pleaded for reunion. One lay in the
grasp of another. Had either king
dom on this day owned them both.
war would have ensued.
Believe me. my good friend
Sachio." exclaimed Cortislaw, when at
length that crestfallen individual was
brought before him. Your failure to
bring me the missing half of the coin
has well-night cost me my dignity and
you your life. will not longer suffer
such disappointments at your hands
Your majesty" began Sachio. but
the other raised a hand
I'VE are at the brink of war now
at any moment war may be forced
on us, whether we like it or not.
did not think Michael would march,
hut he has shown that under certain
circumstances he not only can but
will. If we delay we lose all the ad-
vantages Of the initiative. None can
tell what yOnder Count Frederick will
do, for at least he does not lack cour-
age. And now he will be eager for
revenge against us for the danger in
which we have placed him"
1t was a danger shared by all
those who engaged in the struggle for
the coin." said Sachio. I'VE had it
in our own hands. We brought it to
the very edge of our throne; it was
in our country when they took it
once more"
Yes and those persons we're per
sons that had no more at stake than
YOU hive, Count Sachio," broke in
Cortlslaw. with the cold wrath his
officers knew so well. Have they
more reason for success than you?
Are they of greater wit than yours off?
liy the Lord il those things be so.
tits time we had better wits about us
than such as yours"
Sachio hung his head, but found no
speech in answer and the king went
on:
Listen now"
He beckoned about him other Off,
GERS of his court, and held out be-
fore him in his palm the half coin
which had come into his possession.
"See what this says-it talks Of treas
ure-treasure! We know that the
Gretzhoffen treasure is enormous-we
know that 1t is concealed in the tor.
ture chamber, whatever or wherever
that may be. Beyond that we know
no more. 1t is the other half of the
coin alone that can tell us what we
covet now. This half but whets our
anger until we have the mate for It.
Now, my noblemen, you who pre-
tend to serve me and this people,
once more | warn you--yonder half
coin, or your resignations-or your
heads"
Meantime these were far away as
time had allowed them. The walls
OF Gretzhoffen sheltered now both
Kitty Gray and Roleau. Close behind
these rode King Michael at the head
of his troops, at his side the man
whose danger had called him forth
none less than Count Frederick him.
self.
My dear count" exclaimed Michael
in his own very pretty opinion of his
prowess, "all is well that ends well.
Did you not note the speed with
which we came to rescue you? Was
1t not all magnificent"
Yes replied the count The wit
of yonder girl-her courage-they
were indeed magnificent"
Her wit? Her courage?"
Pardon. your majesty, put was it
not those things which brought you
to our rescue? How else could YOU
have known of our stress? 1t was she
who carried the news she, doubt
not, who also carries the coin"
The coin? What coin? Why do
you speak of IT." demanded Michael
in a certain surprise. I'VE have hat
half coin in our own possession or at
least have supposed so-surely did
have 1t but the other day. You have
one half, have yon DOT. and | the
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