New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1918-05-31
persons who would be pleased to SEE

persons who would be pleased to SET
her n queen"
II see," said Christopher. "The plot
thickens."
ut grows very thick indeed" an,
swered Eloise, "for MirkO won't think
of the Lady Valda-will think Of nc
one but me. Yet he must keep RudO.
vics' friendship for the present
That's why our engagement has to be
secret; and our marriage must be
secret too"
"When Is 1t to be?" he asked, with
outward calmness.
"That Is the greatest secret of all
1t Is to be next week. l will let you
know the day, and should like you to
be there. So would MirkO. He knows
what you did for me. Already you are
to him more than other men, for my
sake. And If you would help him
If you would take us into Dalvania-'
"Not only will l do that but l think,
II the Prince still needs 1t, I can get
him money"
'IIe needs 1t desperately. But you
are not rlchY"
"My Uncle James is"
"Prince Mirko would give him a
dukedom and the Order of the Red
Swan of Dalvania."
MY uncle would give ten years of
his life for the Swan, and a hundred
thousand pounds for Il dukedom, ever
though Dalvanian-Or l don't know
him. You and Prince Mirko could in
duce him to do it, If you would let me
take you both In Scarlet Runner to
Hyde Hampton, Lis place In Middle
sex. to pay an afternoon visit"
1--WE will 60; 1 can promise for
MirkO," said ElOise.
He had not seer his relative for
months, nor had he communicated with
him since he had taken to earning his
own living with Scarlet Runner.
Nevertheless, his long and elaborate
wire the next day was promptly a.
swered by old James Revelstone Race
with a cordial invitation for any day
that suited His Royal Highness,
The expedition was to be a secret,
of course, like everything else which
brought Prince MirkO of Dalvania and
Eloise Dauvray of New Orleans to-
gether.
Old James Race was enchanted with
the Prince. The confidence that Mirko
reposed in him he regarded as an
overwhelming compliment, and limited
a suggestion of help even before the
quickly following offer of the duke
dom. That could not be bestowed
until Prince Mirko should become
King Mirko; but the Red Swan of
Dalvania, on fire with the blaze of
rubies and small brilliants, was trans
ferred from Mirko's breast to that
of the daZZled old man.
On the way back to London, after
this triumphant visit, Elolse told
Christopher that the wedding would
take place on the following Saturday.
Unless Christopher heard to the
contrary, he was to call at the house
in Regents Park at twelve o'clock on
Saturday.
There was no reason why Chris
TOPPER should have expected to hear
from ElOise or the Prince before Sat
urday, for their plans were carefully
made and seemed likely to be carried
out successfully, whatever might hap
pen afterwards. Yet, somehow, he
did expect to hear; for he grudged
leaving his dingy lodgings for more
than half an hour at a time. lest a
special messenger or a telegram should
come from ElOise Dauvray and he
should not be there to receive 1t. But
nothing did come; and on Wednesday
afternoon, feeling the need of air and
exercise, he went out for a stroll in
the Park. 1t was after five o'clock |
when he somewhat reluctantly re.
turned.
AS he let himself in with his latch
key, he nearly stumbled against the
clearinghouse maid-of-all-work, carry
ing somebody's tea.
"Oh, sir, what a good thing you've
got back !" she exclaimed. 'The lady's
been waiting for you a good half
hour"
Christopher ran up the two flights
Of stairs to the second floor, two steps
ut a time.
AS he opened the sitting-room door
Dauvray sprank up. "At last"
cried. "Tve been praying fer you
10 ONE You're my One hope"
"What has happened?" Christopher
asked abruptly.
"Mirko has disappeared" Elcise an
Have you no suspicions?" asked
christopher.
II thought that-Turkey might have
'Ound out, and considered it worth
While to remOve him." she faltered.
''Is that your only idea?"
"The only developed one. All the
est are vague-and mad. But-therc's
one thing l had better tell you, though