davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Raymer enterprise., 1916-02-03
CHAPTER XII.
Before the Ball.

In her hotel, albeit something of a
subject Of gossip, as she herself could
not but know. Kitty felt herself at
least safe from any such occurrences
as Of late had been her lot. Roleau
still was missing.
1t was the morning OF the great
black and white ball when Kitty. her
gown finally in her own possession,
stood before the tall mirror in her
rooms to give II Its final proving.
The case on her dressing table now
held but a few simple rings and
brooches, triiling things which had
been given her or which from time
to time she had purchased for her
self
The only thing Of value which lay
upon the table was something which
she most wished to conceal, and not
to display. The broken coin-how
could she make sure that II would be
safe?
Kitty swiftly conceived plan which
she fancied would afford greater safe
ty for the cherished coin. There was
at hand no machinery of ceremony,
even had she been familiar with 1t.
The simplest way Is the BEST" said
she to herself, her lips compressed.
She sat at her desk and inclosed
the broken coin In a double sheet Of
paper. Upon one sheet she wrote
these few words:
Your Majesty. the young American
woman 80 honored with this gift asks
Ito safekeeping for . little time"
The Raymer enterprise., 1916-02-03

tho world who wished hfm TO drinl
wine. Why? Who was that person!
Might It not be this man here-Count
Frederick-the man whom really he
feared? II so, would not feigned IN
toxication serve we'll to discover theb
others nature?
Reasoning thus, King Michael with
small exertion of histrionic art man
aged to give an excellent imitation to
his friend of q monarch far gone In
wine. Frederick, pleading fatigue ana
thirst, piled him farther. and Michael
apparently yielded, using still such
arts as served him for the time BEL
ing.
When, not too long before the ap-
pointed hour Of midnight. Frederick
left the palace, he left behind him a.
he was assured, monarch hopelessly
fuddled.
So the lights famed on at all the
windows Of the Winter palace.
Suddenly the music broke. crashed
and swept into the national air. A
murmur went about. The king! The
dancers hastened back to the sides
OF the room. All eyes turned toward
the great entrance.
Under the festooned flags, escort
ed by his uniformed officers. himself
wearing all his decorations and garbed
as a king should be. there appeared
King Michael Of Gretzhofien.
The hour Of midnight struck. The
eyes Of more than one man on the
great dancing foor-including those
Of Count Frederick Of Gretzhoffen-
looked at the king amazed. Here was
no staggering monarch, maudlin in his
cups, come to make q spectacle OF
himself before his people. No. he
walked straight as any. And behind
him from the street there came not
shouts OF derision. but something OF
welcome, Of confldence-a pitiful ex-
preston OF people willing yet long.
er to endure king.
At the kings side, her hand on his
arm. there walked the figure Of tall
and beautiful woman, arrayed-as
were all those others present-in
costume OF black and white-a tall
young woman whom not many of those
present recognized. A few passed the
word, "The American"
The music Of the royal anthem
ceased. An instant and the orchestra
broke out once more In the sensuous
strains Of q southern waltz. King
Michael as yet did not dance, but he
gave word that the ball should pro
coed. A uniformed officer Of the court
now approached Count Frederick as
he stood not far removed from the
royal presence.
Monsieur. the count" said he de-
ferentially. Il have had for some
hours In my possession this package
which have not opened. 1t is marked
to be presented to his majesty at mid
night here. Do you think 1t should be
delivered?"
Even as they spoke the king him
self, accompanied, in accordance with
his request by the young woman who
The Raymer enterprise., 1916-02-03

at It she saw q face thrust out-a face
upturned towards her.
'Roleau.' she exclaimed. Can It
be possible7 Roleau, help mel" Kitty
extended her arms appealingly. Il am
a prisoner here-they have locked me
in-there is no way out Help met"
Roleau's own presence in the palace
she did not at the moment undertake
to explain. As q matter Of fact. he
had but that day come In from the
camp of the banditti. where he had
been detained. .r.- -....
Wait" he cried. II will show YOU"
An iron grating. with the stairs Of
a fire escape, led down directly in
front OF Roleau's window. He came
out upon this, braced his legs across.
and back under the rail. and held out
his mighty arms.
Jump" he cried: 1T is safe"
An instant later she was on the iron
grating and into the window. and Ro-
leau. gaunt. unshaven. smiling. her
friend and rescuer. had led her to the
door
Come" he said. and without paus-
ing for any discussion. he hurried out,
she following.
1T is late Roleau," whispered Kitty
back to him. 1T is eleven o'clock
The king goes to the great ball at
midnight Hurry. must be there
Quick!"
The Raymer enterprise., 1916-02-03
CHAPTER XIV.
The Ballroom.

The Ballroom.
In his own apartments that evening
Michael the king had passed the time
In somewhat preoccupied fashion. Left
alone. and hence unhappy in his coun-
sells. he welcomed the announcement
OF the chamberlain who advised him
of the presence of the Count Sachio of
Grahaffen. who wished to pay his com
pliments to the king.
Come then. my dear count said
Michael to him. You are very well
come at this hour. You will have a
glass Of our own vintage-I have
cask Of Lucoyen which is quite worth
while"
with all my heart" said Count
Sachio
The attendant removed the cork
from the bottle reverently. poured
slowly, gently. the amber fluid into
the tall glasses upon the table. 1t was
at that moment that King Michael be.
thought him OF a certain message
handed to him but left until now un-
opened. He frowned as he looked at
the word, irreverent when addressed
to royalty. and urging haste. "Im-
portant' Is 1t SO? What shall do.
my dear count? Throw 1t awayf"
Count Sachio cast a glance upon the
inscription.
Your majesty" said he, 1T is in
the hand of lady. By no means
throw away any letter a woman
writes to you-and BY no means write
one yourself Am I not good coun-
sell"
Smiling. King Michael broke open the
small hotel seal, frowning as he did SO
at what seemed to him undue familiar
ity on the part of someone, he knew
not who. But as his eyes ran over
the few lines OF the message his ex-
preston suddenly changed. The words
remained deeply written on his mind
Your majesty young Ameri-
can drink no wine"
Count Sachio looked on respectfully,
his glass arrested. naturally yenturing
no comment. King Michael made no
effort to turn the conversation. He
left his wine untasted!
Indeed. our people also are grow
ing in audacity." went on Count Sachio
presently. But I pledge your maj
esty long and happy reign" He
raised his glass and waited.
Drink heartily. good Count Sachio. :"
said King Michael. "As for myself,
have dined but lately. as said. The
doctors say dreadful things to me.
You excuse me?'
He had poured but q small portion
In his own glass, and raised his hand
against more.
Sachio was obliged to admit to
Count Frederick. whom now he early
sought. that he doubted the full sue
cess OF his errand.
Leave him then to me-" ex-
claimed Frederick-"he never falls to
do as ask. Make ready for the ball
time presses now. myself will
hasten to see the king before he leaves
for the winter palace"
Frederick, making urrent excuses
now to enter the apartments Of the
king after his arrival, found the mon.
arch In the same apartment, stolidly
regarding the now empty bottle Of
wine.
A certain idea came to the bra.u
Of Michael. the king. as he now ac-
knowledged the visit Of Count Fred
erick at so late an hour. II this
message had warned him not 10 drink
wins-then thsre must BE- someone in
The Raymer enterprise., 1916-02-03
CHAPTER XIII.
A Prisoner.

prisoner.
Having dispatched her messages.
Kitty Gray sat alone once more in her
room. There came to her mind once
more the reflection that now she had
not even one portion OF the broken
coin. As to that which had gone to
the king, she felt fairly sure that she
might regain IT, AS to that which had
been taken from her by force by Count
Frederick. she was far as ever from
its possession.
"The simplest way is the best" said
she once more. IN go back there
again"
Il was not so fortunate as to find
monsieur the count at home before"
she explained to the attendants who
met her at the door.
Monsieur the count has gone out
but now"
A sudden resolution came to Kitty's
mind even as a sudden flush came to
her cheek.
so? Then will wait his coming.
II you please. the apartments OF mon
sieur the count"
The man left her, and she closed the
door An instant later she was at work
turning over the articles on the
dresser, peering here and there, look
ing this way and that-and unsuccess-
fully.
But meantime the attendant who
had left her. anxious to be Of service
to his master, sent out posthaste to
summon Count Frederick to his re-
turn. He met the count himself, and
yet another attendant, upon the point
of entering the palace. The newcomer
was talking to the count excitedly.
'Excelleney, l tell you the woman
is outwitting you. She sent her half
the coin this very morning it to
the king by special messenger. / saw
it-1 felt 1t in the envelope, am sure.
There is some plot afoot. And
brought the news as soon as possible.
but have searched for you long"
Come" said Frederick, and he
hastened the more when he met the
messenger advising him of Kitty's
presence in the palace.
Her search still uncompleted. Kitty
heard footsteps approaching. and
turned desperately like some trapped
animal. There was no escape-the
narrow window. as she knew. was two
stories above. the court below. And
even as she stepped to the door she
met there the smiling. sardonic face
OF Count Frederick himself
The honor is mine. mademoiselle!"
said he with icy politeness. True. l
had not expected you.'
Shamefaced, confused. for once un.
able to make any explanation. Kitty
could but stand and stare at him. An
instant later she heard the click OF the
lock and the passing Of footsteps in
tho hall once more. She was alone.
She was prisoner!
She sat alone. helpless, unanswered
In spite Of her pounding on the door.
her cries for help. until she was utter
ly weary-until the shades OF night
came.
She looked at her watch. The hour
was approaching eleven. The great
black and white ball was now In prog
ress at the winter palace across the
city.
She went to the window and looked
out into the night All the court was
dark-save one window directly below
her on the opposite side, fifteen feet
below. ten feet across tie narrow
ooHrtway. Evan d ahs locked down
The Raymer enterprise., 1916-02-03
SYNOPSIS.

Kitty Gray, newspaper woman. finds in
. curio shop half OF broken coin, the
mutilatsd inscription on which arouses
her curiosity and leads her. at the order
OF her managing editor. to go to the prin-
cipality of Grelzhoffsn to piece out the
story suggested by the Inscription. She Is
followed, and on arrival In Gretzhoffen
her adventures while chasing the secret
Of the broken coin begin.
The Raymer enterprise., 1916-02-03

servants.
had entered with him. approached
Count Frederick. He raised q hand x
beckon to the official.
Your majesty" whispered Kitty
Gray. that is the package which |
myself sent you this morning-take u
quickly marked'it for you at mid
night"
Shall l open 1t for your majesty7'
Count Frederick bent forward poll :
ly. y ~
NO." said Michael. Il know thu
one who sent It Let herself open q
now!"
Kitty broke the simple seal upon
the plain envelope In which she had
enclosed the coin that morning. Shs
smiled at Michael radiantly now, and
at Count Frederick, though not 70
dainty.
The dance swept on, the crash o,
reed and brass filling the arched doml
Of the great salon. In through the
great doors came the cries Of those
not splendidly garbed, those who
stood without the palace-"Long live
the king!"
But the king stood curiously regard
Ing the change In expression which
he saw on the face Of the youna
American.
We'll, then. mademo.sslle p said he,
To BE coNT1MUED)
The Raymer enterprise., 1916-02-03

at court with strangers present. Not
yet" His face flushed deeply as he
lied.
"kh, very well, then 1t is time. At
the ball perhaps we shall all be pres
ent, Mademolselle. your invitation
shall come from US duly"
Kitty took this to be her dismissal,
and with deep thanks and the best
curtsy she could muster. bowed her.
self from the room, after TO be es.
corted by a grave official to her car.
Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-07-17
HOW BUSINESS KEEPS UP.

Sea sonal influences, which usually
affect the larger lines during the
heated spell, never were SO negliblbe as
now. Hot weather hsa made it uncom-
Portable for men in industry to WORK
continuously at high speed, and at the
same time the normal desire for vacs-
tons has probably cut down operations
in numerous enterprises, but notwith-
standing this a relatively noteworthy
degree of activity prevails. Speculative
buying predicated heretofore on fears
that there would not be enough ma
terial to go around, has, however.
largely disappeared, and the situation
ports agree that prospects point to a
continuance of good business thru an
indefinite period. with little or none of
the disturbance incident to a presi-
Dental year in evidence.
Statesmen are again taking to the
road for fall orders, business already
booked is encouraging, and as retail
dealers, save in few flooded sections
of thes outh, have done extraordinarily
well with summer goods jobbers have
likewise profited. Interior merchants
in most parts of the country being op.
timistic, are likely to be unstinted in
their purchases. and as wages in the
principal industrial centers are high,
while in comes front profit sharing in.
vestments are exceptional. sustained
purchasing power is probable. Indeed,
business in shoes. dry goods, groceries
and other essentials is far in excess OF
any previous year at this period. and
governmental purchases of a variety OF
articles have added to the remarkabi.
demand.
However, complaints Of . scarcity
OF labor continue. and farmer. are now
Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-07-17
PERVsRTs.

When the jury acquitted Orpet o,
poisoning the Lambert girl the defend
ant showed some signs Of shame by
attempting to get out CT the court room
IS quickly as possible. Il was natural
that youth whose rottenness lad been
exposed and Haunted TO he world
should desire to hide himself. But. SO
the news report states he was headed
off emo held by crowG ~ young si-,s
while they Congratulated him on his
goa fortune in escaping the sai;oNs.
They crowded round nm smiling AMI
weeping AMI highly excited
The incident forces recollection #
the proverb "a rod for FOOLS back
O.pe.. whatever the truth Of his con
nect.on with the death of the girl
was confessedly her seducer and her
destroyer. a specimen Of the rotteh
youth of the present generation, a liar
and libertine. Yet this bevy of young
girls surrounded him, held him while
tAeE SIODDere'! over MIN and thus a D.
proved his course.
The large differ ence between those
girls and Marian LANDER: is that the
girls are still alive while Marian lies il.
dishonored grave. The main differ
ence between the parents of the young
fools whose degenerate understanding
OF a young woman's liberties grouped
them about a lowlived cur like Orpet
TO smile and congratulate is that the
Lambert's have sounded the depths OF
a bitterness and sorrow that perhaps
awaits some Of the fathers and mothers
Of the "bevy of young girls"
There is something strange and de-
generate about it as about the women
who send flowers TO convicted rapist.
and murderers. There is a feminine
type that is attracted by hrutism and
degeneracy but the psychologist anc
the student of mental, moral and ply
steal perversion must explain it.
Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-07-17
LIQUOR IN IOWA.
Tpella Chronicle

The present city administration at
Des Moines is said to be lDN in en-
forcing the liquor laws of the state;
the result is that there is consider
able amount of bootlegging gong on
in the capital city. The Chicago Brew
ers' Association. seeing the comment of
Des Moines minister on the situation
has been spending some of their i'll
gotten gains in proclaiming this fact
to the world by advertising il in the
Chicago Tribune. Their cry is that
prohibition defeats temperance. We
shall spend no time in calling atten-
ton to the fact that if this wers the
case. the Chicago Brewers Associa-
ton would be one of the last TO COM
plain of prohibition. but we do want
to point a moral for the temperance
Republicans of Iowa who are inclined
TO support Harding for governor be-
cause they do not want to scratch
their ticket. 1t is not enough that
Iowa has a prohibition law on the
statute books. The law must be en-
forced to be effective. To enforce this
law, for the present and for soma years
to come. will require the best efforts of
the entire law enforcing force Of The
state and municipality. Neither of
these bodies can do it best alone. The
rum sellers are fighting for lie. and
they are not going to overlook any OPP
portunity to bring the law into disre-
pute. This accounts for their unani-
nous support of Harding and is the
reason that decent people of all parties
should unite to see that he does not
become the next governor of Iowa. No
law is going to enforce itself. because
laws are not made for the upright, but
for the evil-doer.
Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-07-17
THE HORSE.

The horse is a natural curiosity
which is occasionally seen on the
public highway when nobody else
but the web footed gander can get
thru. This noble animal, which for
merry was driven thru town with his
name and tail done up in pink curl
papers, is now compelled to stand in
the barn and watch the automobile
whirl by with its load of human freight,
burning up gasolene and cylinder oil
with reckless abandon. The browning
cruelty is when faithful driving horse
is traded for a red runabout and then
condemned TO work fifteen hours day
in a livery barn.
The horse is an intelligent animal
with kind instincts and the appetite Of
a power 3ehurn. AS a matter OF fact,
the only drawback to the average horse
is his appetite, which is firmly attached
to his person and can not he laid of
for week or two at time, as in the
case of the automobile If the horse
could be taught TO go without food
when not in use, he would enjoy the
respect of great many people who
now take one look at his bouyant appe-
tite and turn away with a heavy heart.
The horse comes in several different
sizes and bindings, and when adver-
tised Tor safe is always perfectly sound
and safe for lady to drive up to the
eyeiids of freight engine. The small
est edition of the horse ever put out Is
the Shetland pony, after which comes
the Texas broncho. The broncho is a
disagreeable animal to do business
with, and inexperienced people who
mount him for the first time are usu-
ally obliged to be sewed up in several
different localities soon afterward The
Percheron draft horse is popular
style, but intellectually he is great
Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-07-17
WHEN The FOLKS ARE ALL AWAY.

The house isn't the same house, it's
a strange place full of strangeness
when the folks are all away. 1t seems
odd 10 unlock the door where the door
is never locked when the folks ara
home. Ii is like opening the furnace
doors. The house is an oven, shut up
all day with the baking sun upon it.
When You start the fan the aforetime
noiseless machine roars like a joy
riders automobile. You open all the
doors and windows and seek to coax a
breeze but even the south wind re-
fuses to blow when the folks have all
gone away.
The house is still. still as death. 1t
gets on your nerves worse than the
eternal grind Of the talking machine
that the kids worked overtime until
You snapped, shut that blamed thing
off for a WHILE when the folks were
ali at home. Things that were always
silent creak loudly. The house de-
velops queer noises that never before
were evident. The town clock sounds
as tho it were striking next door.
The ordinarily smooth, white bed is
all rumpled as you left it when you
hustled out TO the restaurant for cakes
and coffee in the morning. The shirt
You changed lies on the floor of the
bedroom and a variety Of articles hang
here and there on chairs Somehow
there is general evidence Of neglect
Something or somebody is gone. The
folks are all away.
AS the days pass those evidences
accumulate. The folded paper the
boy throws on the front porch grows
yellow with the weather. The lawn
has ragged look. There are symp-
toms Of weakness in the pansy bed.
The back lot is more verdure than gar
den. The whole place looks like wi
dover before he begins TO think of
marrying another wife. The folks are
all away.
Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-07-17
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF IT.


To give emphasis to the new de-
parture, the democrats have nomi-
mated an out and out prohibitionist,
an intelligent. honorable gentleman,
who is a prohibitionist from principle
and not political expediency. So well
are Mr.. Meredith's views on this ques-
ton understood turnout the state. and
so high is the estimate of his personal
character, his conscientious conyic-
tons and f1rmness Of purpose, that 1t
is said large numbers of citizens not
affiliated with the democratic party,
will support him in preference to Mr..
Harding, the republican candidate.
who Is more conservative on the liquor
issue, altho claimed by his friends to
be in accord with the popular senti-
ment now prevalent turnout the state.
This phase Of the situation we do not
stop to discuss now, but rather to
note a peculiarly significant event in
the history Of the democratic party In
Iowa and one which will have an inn
portant bearing upon the continued
development Of popular sentiment for
prohibition and increasing the guaran-
ties Of the successful administration of
prohibitoryi legislation. For with both
of the great parties. and also the
minor parties. supporting the prohibits
tory policy. the last flicker Of hope for
the return OF the saloon to Iowa fades
away.
The democratic party has taken
moral stand II never will regret, what
ever may be the outcome of the state
election this year Democrats who
have chafed under the dominance OF
liquor interests in their councils will
now have a profound feeling of re-
lief That element will gain courage
and strength and will rot tolerate any
reactionary steps in the coming years.
1t is an evolution. the kind which
Tennyson describes as ever climbing
after some ideal good When politi-
cal party can hold such aspirations 1t
in entitled to live The democrats of
Iowa nave at least achieved self re-
spect-always material as well az
moral advantage