The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1920-10-14

thing?"
"As soon as your bonds have been
met, I'd give them the profits-all OF
them! You certainly know that do
care for my people n am unselfish!
] want to be just VIVA they have
thought me to be, Kent, the best king
that Marken ever had. l want to be
able to do again what 1 nave done,
walk out amongst them. and know
that they respect me as a king, and
Like me as a man and a friend"
He spoke impassionedly, voicing the
hunger of his mind, confessing his
dream, while the American watched
him kindly as an leader brother might
watch the harassments Of q younger
che when about to tender sympathy
and assistance.
"All right" he said, bluntly. 81
think we can fix that UP. 1t may be
foolish on my p~art-damned foolish!
But a mar can't pass through this
r,c~ld without being foolish once in a
while. I'm going to give YOU that
concession"
The kings face expressed many
easottons, n among them solicitous
affection.
"But-but Rhodes?" he asked ex-
c.tedly. What will Rhodes think of
your"
I've got to take my chances Of
squaring it with him. Most always
he does about as 1 want him 10. I've
made a lot Of money for John Rhodes.
Ole time and another, and he knows
j.. Besides, l am going 10 tell o
something. The last penny that Mar
ken owed John Rhodes, together with
two per cent, interest, was paid him
more tina a week ago. If, after all
that, he kicked, he'd be more of a dos
tran l ever suspected him of being"
The king, stupeded by the news
t. at lie was free from debt, gasped,
bUt Kent d~isregarded him,
lie got up and locked the door to
make certain that he would not be
Disturbed, walked briskly across the
room TO a book case, and spoke with
the proud delight of an ingenious boy.
Come here" he said. Il want to
show you something. Pretty clever, l
can it. My own idea. Ivan and l did
p2ost of the work. Now look over
1
here. On this side of the room. right
dTatr the mantel-see this marble
ornament? Well, it's nothing but a
pain, ommon old American electric
iatch; The kind we have over home
when we live on the top flat and want
70 open the ground floor door for a
caller. Push Oh it,"
The king, still speeches., did so.
There vas a sharp click, and the
book case swung away from the wall,
exposing a modern safe behind it. The
Kings eyes were wide with c%uriousity.
That's the way she works" Kent
exclaimed, proudly. Thought it out
myself, for emergencies. ] haven't
kept any papers of importance in the
vault of my office for more than three
months. Id give 500 to watch
Provarsk when he opens it with the
combination l gave him last night.
It's quite empty"
He chuckled as he bent over and
twirled the knob. pulled the heavy
door open, brought out a drawer and
took from it a piece of paper that
the king recognized. He opened it
and glanced at it to make certain of
is identity, held it before the king to
show what it was and then deliber-
atcly tore it to shreds, which he threw
into the fireplace and lighted.
There goes the concession" he
said, gazing at the flames. THE
;aa are yours. uamertgaged
free from all debt and all Obligations
He turned with a warm smile on
3s saee, and siienced the king. who
.ssaa remonstrating.
~ tend to my part of it." he said
"itss pm to you to do yours. Let me
,e!33e ne situation here. You must
E3s ~ * to your rooms, summon the
lera8da get into your state glory Sc
SIS 70 be mor impressive thar Solo.
men. and hurry down to the inarket
pace"
He consulted his watch.
You've no time to lose. If I were
9 I'd not let them know but tina.
you personally summoned them
You'd better go now, and whatevel
You do, don't let Provarsk know
you've been here
He fairly showed the king towar.
the door, hushing his protestations 0
gratitude with a gruff-"We can tall
about all that later. Not now! No
lnoW! Hurrvie