The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1920-07-08

placed them in an envelope put them
| back into the dispatch box, and then
brnsqnely turned toward the king.
Now that we understand more or
less of the conditions" he said, cold
y, Il should like to have you tell me
what happened in Marker that ex-
plains your presence here in this
| village. You need not hesitate or
stand on your dignity l have talked
with other fallen Kings. | have made
and unmade some Of them" lie add
| el,, with grim significance.
The king looked a. him ana smiled
almost sadly, yet not without dig
nifty. The chancellor, after per-
picked and hesitating glance grunted
wiped his bald head with his hand
kerchief. and left the task of reply
to royalty. The king shrugged his
shoulders, and his eyes wandered
around the room. as he mentally for
mulated speech and sought the true
beginning. They fell upon Ivan, and
for the first time he appeared cog
infant Of his presence.
Perhaps" he suggested, Gin the
discussion of subject so delicate
as the admission of one's own de-
feats it would pc better if we were
alone"
Kent turned toward Ivan. He
started to explain the latter's at
Fiction and then, checking himself,
said, "quiteright: 1t is better if we
are alone"
1t flashed through his mind that
it might be rs well to humor the
king, and also mental habit control
ed him, habit Of caution that had
grown from the policy that it was far
better never to tell anything that
could be remained untold He saw
that his followers eyes were on his
lips, and said, Ivan, you may go. n
shall not want you this evening""
The giant alert in his own world
OF silence, smiled quietly. under
standing all that was implied, ard
turned toward the door with the
lost book in his hands.
Thank you," he said. eff you need
me, I shall be in my room. Good
night sir!"
He bowed to Kent's guests and
passed out, while the king, with an
air Of relief, watched his departure
Well" said the king abruptly
after minutes silence, II tried to
reform and be a father to my people
without giving offense, and-made
mess of itl''
Kent liked him for the franllness
CD his confession. and is eyes soft
ened to more friendly shade
His majesty was not" began
the chancellor
Suppose you let him tell it," in
terrupted the financier. HE seems
have main tanned his position as
well as you did yours"
The king lifted his hand, palm
outwords, toward the chancellor, and
it was quite as effective as if the
open palm had been clapped over
the chancellor's mouth
go ahead Kent urged the king.
"You tried reforms and they didn't
succeed. Most of them don't Err
what particular mania-I mean
brand of reformation, was yours?
Anti-gambling? Prohibition? Eugen-
les? Votes for women? Universal
peace? What was it you tried?"
At first the king scowled at the
American, good, hearty scowl of
outraged dignity, and then discern
Ing that beneath the banter was
more or less of sympathy, smiled
trifle sadly.
II tried" he said quietly, 'to give
them more liberty"
"Oh!" Kent let the explanation
slip. And then. after a slight pause,
II remember that yours was an alb
solute monarchy. Always has been;
people brought up to respect the
king boisterously when he happened
to be respectable, and to swallow
their disrespect when he happened
to 1be the other thing. May l ask
what form Of liberty you proposed?
Was it magma charta. or something
like that?"
"Of course mott" indignitly object
ed the chancellor. "The rights Of the
crown had to be respected"
"Um-m-mh! Sol Sort Of curtailed
liberty, eh, with leash on it that
could be jerked when necessity a.
rose? Just like an April fool purse
=. zgsr.,,e, ,;;r,=:
around the corner"
q gave them councils where they.
could vote" protested the kNp