Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1916-05-18
THIRD lNSTALLMENT
CHAPTER xl.
The King Of cretxhomen.

The King Of GretxhoFen.
you majesty does me honor"
It was with simple dignity that the
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 q representative of your
great country, my dear young lady,
said Michael.
do not misunderstood me, your
majesty" resumed the young woman.
1T is more than possible have been
brought before you under false pre-
lenses. am not q person of rank,
am indeed but a prisoner taken yonder
by outlaws. But for the wit Of my
servant l think l might have been held
for . ransom"
1T were large ransom would be fit
for such hostage as yourself. ma.
demoiselle. Whatever it 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 Dur party. l would rather
think he would prefer him to myself
a hostage"
Whom do you meant"
"The Count Frederick. sire"
Again the Count Frederick! He
seems always to come into my affairs"
The annoyance in the kings face was
unmistakable.
He has been much concerned in
my OWL"
How, mademoiselle!"
Il must explain? Sire, I came to
your country only in my professional
capacity had nj more urgent er-
rand than to find the half of a certain
missing coin. The other half had come
into my possession by chance. 1t was
my fancy"
what. a 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, / have
#, 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.
Adore 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 inscription-they were
there, she was sure. Torture cham
ber-treasures of the king" it was
plain to her. These two pieces of
metal joined would represent a story
worth the having.
do you not desire 1t, them" The
voice OF the monarch carried a 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 NINE" .
why not crafty that wish then,
mademoiselle? Listen. Count Fred
erick desired this very triaket-for a
lady. he said. Here is a lady who de-
sires 1t 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 n reason or
another-he has some motive which
/ cannot divine. Now, of late l have
had abundant troubles, many persons
who importune me. In these serious
times, the people being 80 discomfort.
ed. we have matters Of more impor.
lance than to trife with this trinket,
as I say. You desire 1t. 1t bores
me Who better than yourself should
own 1t II 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. am convinced Of your W 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 q oman lady Of
rank, OF experience-one might learn
the better how to carry on the duties
OF q state"
"And the duties OF the state would
nnIR SNAna s-> .---