The Red Cloud chief., 1916-04-27

- obdE0s
disorder had been removed. Spick
and span in military neatness the
apartment lay before her.
Upon the dresser. in full view.
openly displayed, was a picture in a
little frame-a frame Of silver set in
brilliant gems. She looked at it sud.
denly--it was the portrait Of herself
which once had stood on her own
dressing table in her hotel! Now 1t
was here. Why? Kitty felt a strange
flush come to her face. .
Something now arrested her-she
paused, reluctant to resume q search
which ever had been distasteful TO
her. No, she would not touch a thing
had he not done as much for her
had he not been more respectful than
herself OF another's privacy? II he
had taken anything from her apart
ments 1t was but-this. And appa-
rently he had cherished It. No, she
would not search for the coin. She
would leave this country disappoint-
ed, IL need be.
But there lay, just at the foot of the
little portrait, an object which caught
her eye. 1t was the half coin Of
~Gretzhoffen!
Yes, here 1t was in full view, open
ly displayed, that any might see 1t
who liked, who CHANGED to be there.
Apparently Count Frederick felt that
all pursuit OF the coin had ended-that
no longer could any intruder gain &C.
cess to his palace.
Kitty hesitated for a moment. The
appeal OF the coin came to her once
more. She took 1t up. held it in her
hand, gazed at it-and once more. as
SO often had been the case-she found
herself surprised at the very moment
OF her success.
She heard Count Frederick's quiet
footsteps, his calm voice behind her.
"Mademoiselle. again!"
The count stood there regarding
her.
Evidently, ~mademoiselle, you did
not realize that these repeated visits
rendered necessary the installation of
an electric system of my own devils
ing-you see, / knew of your presence.
and as you see. l have come. You
rang. or what service can I be.
mademoiselle?"
Leave me alone" painted Kitty, her
face hot, tears almost in her eyes. IL
hate you! ! hate you!"
Il grieve at that, mademoiselle,"
said Count Frederick evenly. II wish
l could say the same of you-but l
oornnf with ayaru rnocnn 10 lt,t,k
you'll cannot Continually we cross
swords, do we not? And you were
easy to deceive this time. See-you
are trapped as simply as a bird which
steps into its cage without hesitation.
"Will you not give me back my coin,
mademoiselle? Will you not add It to
the other? Will you not assist me in
reading the message Of the coin, so
that we may make an end of all this
so thai we may not continually cross
words with one %another?"
In answer Kitty darted past him,
round her way into the hall, ran she
knew not where. Before her lay a
little narrow stairway, and she sprang
up 1t, hoping to find egress some
where. Alas! the door that closed the
mead or the stair was locked. She
heard his low laugh as an iron grille
snapped across the opening. cutting
off escape.
Wont you give it me now-my
coin?' he asked.
silence reigned In the great white
marble palace Of Count Frederick of
G~retzhoflen.
And now. far off in other parts of
the city. where men sought one who
had done a crime. there rose in the
streets the sound Of hurrying feet,
with the warning cry. in the name OF
the king!"
Ito Be Continued.)