The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1916-03-09
THIRD INSTALLMENT
CHAPTER XI.
The King Of Gretzhoffen.

The King Of Gretzhoffen.
you majesty does me honor"
1t was with simple dignity that the
young American girl spoke these
words to the monarch in whose pres
euce she found herself fresh from her
late adventures.
I'VE 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.
1T is more than possible l have been |
brought before you under false pre- |
lenses. l am not a person of rank,
am indeed but prisoner taken yonder
by outlaws. But for the wit of my
servant think 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 our party, l would rather
think he would prefer him to myself
as hostage"
Whom do you mean?"
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 own"
How, mademoiselle?"
Il must explain? Sire, 1 came to
your country only in my professional
capacity had no more urgent err
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, broken coin? You inter
est me. Mademoiselle, 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, l 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! It wOul(
complete my happiness to see 1t.
Then you shall, assuredly."
He bowed in somewhat adipose gal
ia1ltry as she extended her hand to
ward the pudgy palm in which lay tn
object which for her held such inter
est In glance she saw the identit.
of the missing half. The remaining
or
there, she was sure. Torture cham
ber-treasures of the king" it wa
plain to her. These two pieces Q
metal joined would represent stor
worth the having.
DO you not desire it, then?" TIL
voice of the monarch carried Gel
tain reproach.
Desire it, your majesty! 1 shoul
desire nothing SO much in all tn
world. With both halves in my han
sire, 1 should feel that the worl
Was mine"
Why not crafty that wish the
mademoiselle? Listen. Count Ere
erick desired this very trinket-for
lady, he said. Here is a lady who d
sires it for herself. Why should "
uOL give IL QeT-WHy SuOulu We IA
have right as good as his?
You cannot mean it for me-"
But yes, precisely! And listen, n
dear young lady. There is somethi1
about this broken coin which begil
to annoy me. Count Frederick is :
ways referring to it for one reason
another-he has some motive whi'
l cannot divine. Now, of late l ha
had abundant troubles, many perso
who importune me. In these ser1o
times, the people being so discontel
ed, We have matters of more impt
lance than to trifle with this trink
as say. You desire it. 1t Dor
me. Who better than yourself shou
own it if you like?"
Kitty stood looking at him, scar
believing what he said. King
chael went on:
1.-TWO things interest me today,
dear lady. First, how to quiet I
people; the second to discover sol
fashion which shall keep you here
our own country interested and u
full. l am convinced of your own "
dom, your own justice-your own
perience in your land as to law a
liberty and justice. Sometimes out
the mouth of a woman-a lady
rank, Of experience-one might lie;
the better how to carry on the dut
Of a state
And the duties of the state wo