Jasper Weekly Courier, Volume 54, Number 30, Jasper, Dubois County, 3 May 1912 — Page 3

Copyright, 1905, by PROLOGUE OF THE STORY. Major Armand Dalberg, American army officer, is detailed to Valeria when war is declared by Titia. Courtney, new United State ambassador, is Armand's friend. During the American Revolution Hugo Dalberg, a son of Henry III., king of Valeria, enlisted with the colonists, for which, act the king disowned him. Armand is Hugo's only surviving descendant. On a previous unofficial visit to Valeria Armand unexpectedly met Princess Dehra, the present king's daughter. She captivates Armand. Courtney and Armand arrive in Valeria. The king discovers that Armand is a true Dalberg. He dances with Lady Helen Radnor and the princess. The king proves that Armand is heir to the throne, and Armand accepts the title. He is made a grand duke and military governor of Dornlitz. Colonel Bernheim and Ma jo? Moore become hi aid. He meets tho Duke of Lotzen, heir presumptive, of whom he is suspicion. At the opera Armand propoM to the princess. He sees a Mrs. Spencer, an A merle an adventuress. Who latsx publicly claims to be his wife, which Armand denies. She shows proofs. The king listens to explanation, after which he sanctions the engagement with, the princess. The Spencer woman la detained within Dornlitz by order of Armand, as a result of which ehe calls upon him at the palace. She unexpectedly meets the king, Prlncass Dehra and Courtney, and explains her visit to Valeria. She persists in her previous claim. The Duke of Lotzen indulges ix wferences and shows his hand, offr 3 to toss a coin for the princess and the. crown. Arsnand'Teplies with strong adjectives. A Trick of Fence. RAY don't hide behind my temporary rank," I answered hotl3 "I waive it gladly. Anything for a chance to puncture that rotten carcass of yours or to get a good fair crack at jour smooth face." It was a foolish speech. I knew it the moment it was out. But 1 never had acquired self restraint when aggravated by those I disliked and I despised Lotzen. My explosion seemed to calm the duko. He looked at me intently for a moment, then bowed gravely. "I beg your highness' pardon," he said, "you are not a coward." I might not be outdone, so I bowed back at him. "Thank yen," said I, "and I also beg your pardon and withdraw my adjectives." "Thauks, your highness," he answered. "Let us consider the matter closed?" "With pleasure," said I. 'And I shall hope to have the honor of crossing swords foils, X mean with youv, some day," he said meaningly. "The hope is intensely mutual, my dear duke.'I answered. He drew himself up to attention and saluted stiffiy. I returned it in kind. "And, with your highness' permission," i said, "i shall ask you to refrain from communicating with Mrs. Spencer. I appreciate your offer, but upon second thought, I doubt the wisdom of it" "As you wish, monsieur," said he, "as you wissh." After, Lotzen had gone and 1 was able to do a bit of reflecting I was pretty well convinced that he had got about as much out of rae as I had out of him. Of course our mutual distrust and dislike were now openly avowed, but we had known it quite as well before. 1 was satisfied, however, his main purpose was to discover whether 1 had any knowledge or suspicion of him being back of Madeline Spencer. And 1 was not so sure L had bluffed him. 1 summoned Bernheim and Moore. "Which of you," snhi 1. "will do me the favor of a few passes with the foils r Of course they both offered . "Good." said 1. "I'll take you in turn. Send an orderly to the armory for the paraphernalia." "By the way' 1 said, "what sort of a fencer Is Lotzen ?" Bernheim turned and looked at me shfu-ply. Moore did the same. "There Is only one better in Valeria," said Bernheim. "So!" said I. "And he?" "Colonel Moore of your highness' personal staff." it was my turn to be surprised. "Then he is a very modest gentleman," I said. "Like master like man," was the ready Irish reply. "You're a sad blarneyer," I laughed. MYou will be letting me disarm you

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BY JOHN REED John Reed Scott. Copyright, 1906, by "No, I won't, sir, voluntarily," he answered. "You are not the Lotzen sort" "You have fenced with him?" "Frequently." "And disarmed him?" 1 saw Bernheim smile. "Yes, once the first time we engaged. He iu s disliked me ever since." "I am rather astonished at you," I said. "Where was your finesse?" "It was quite unintentional. He tried to work a coup that is very little known. Instead of the regular defense I used one 1 had myself developed and which ends in a wrench. 1 gave it a bit too vigorously and the duke dropped his foil." Bernheim gave a gruff laugh. "Dropped it!" he exclaimed. "Aye, and so lightly it flew twenty feet and hit the wall near the roof." "I think," said I, "I would like to know that coup and its defenses." "They are yours, sir," he said. "But I am at a loss where Lotzen got the. attack. It isn't known to six persons in Europe, even among the masters." "And your own defense?" "Is, 1 am sure, known to me alone. The man with whom I worked it out died a week after it was perfected." "But you have fenced with Lotzen frequently since then, you say?" "Many times, sir." "Hasn't he invariably used that particular attack?" "And been met always by the regular defense. I took no chances on his discovering the secret. 1 am confident he thinks now I disarmed him by a mere accident." "I suppose you let him score on you occasionally?" I said. Moore shook his head. "Never, unless it were the very limit of his reach. I don't trust him sometimes buttons are lost from foils. I try to be veiy diplomatic by touching him very infrequently.!' 1 picked up a foil and made it whistle through the air. "Come, Colonel Bernheim," I said, "I am at your service." Bernheim was of the ordinary type, and 1 could have run him through without the least effort. As it was, I touch him presently, once on each arm, then disengaged and saluted. "I thank your highness." he said. "It could just as well have been uiy heart and throat a dozen times." "I am younger and more active," I explained. But he smiled it down. "I am notsensitive, sir. Besides, it gives me joy." I suppose he was thinking of Lotzen. After a short rest, Moore and I faced each other. "Let us cut the parades," I said and Bernheim gave the word to engage. Without conceit I can say that I am more than moderately skillful with the sword. It is, possibly, the one hobby of my life. My father and "My foil flew across the- room." grandfather before nie were strong fencers, and one of my earliest recollections is being given a toy foil and put through the parades. 1 had practiced assiduously, spending all my leaves in Europe and fencing in all the best schools of the continent. Our blades had little more than crossed when I knew th:c It would take all my skill to hold my own with Moore, even for a short time. Moore was far and away the best fencer I had ever encountered. In the midst of a fierce rally I forced a pretty opening, and I thrust. No guard seemed possible. The next instant there came a wrench that almost tore off my fingers, and my foil flew across the room. Moore had led me into the final position of Lotzen's attack and had disarmed me exactly as he had the duke. I held out my left hand to him the right still tingled. "Beautiful!" I said. "It's marvelous defense and niarveloiisly done." Then Moore showed me the attack and ita two defenses, and I practiced

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J. B. Lippincott Co. them with him until I had them perfectly at command. "What would be my chances against Lotzen?" I asked. "You could kill him easily," said Moore. "I've had a visit from the duke this afternoon," I said, and I told them the entire interview. "It would be just as well for your highness to wear a steel vest," said Bernheim. "It's very handy to turn a knife or a revolver bullet." I laughed. "Of course steel vests are such ordinary articles of attire they can be purchased in any shop." "I'll supply the vest," he answered, "if your highness will use it." "It seems absurd," I declared. "It's a wise precaution, sir," Moore urged. "One might suppose we were back in the days of the Guises," I said. "However, bring your coat of mail around tonight and look it over. Bur, I warn you, it will have to be a very snug fit." "I will answer for that also," said Bernheim. Later in the afternoon I rode over to the field of Mars, a huge piece of ground on the lake front, for the evening parade of the cuirassiers of the guard. This was their one hundred and fiftieth anniversary, and on every one of them it had been the unbroken custom for the then governor of Dornlitz to be present and pass the regiment in review, saviug, of course, in war time, when it chanced to be in active service in the field. The crowd of spectators was enormous. In front were the carriages of the aristocracy of the capital, and as I galloped down to take post after the review I could not but wonder how man3' of all that crowd regarded me with a friendly eye. Behind me clattered a brilliant staff, and in my hand was the baton of a marshal, yet never in my life had I felt so utterly alone as at that moment. Then the great band of the regiment blared out, and I settled myself for the march by. When it was over and the last troop had broken into column and had trotted away I dismissed my staff, except Moore, and rode across to where I hail noticed Lady Ilelen Kadnor. "If you were not a prince I would not speak to you," she said as I dismounted. "I have not seen you for ages." "I've been very busy. I did not imagine you would miss me," I said and glanced at her left hand. She laughed and held it up. "The finger is quite bare," she said, "but I'll take off the glove if you wish." "I'm sorry," 1 said. "lie is such a good chap." She raised her eyebrows. "Do you know," she said slowly, and looking at rae hard the while, "I was foolish enough to think, very long ago, that 3ou rnaier liked me, yourself." "And it's just because I do that I hoped the finger wasn't bare," I answered. I turned just as Courtney came up. "May I intrude, your royal highness?" he asked. "Come along," said I. "Lady ITelen wants to hear some gossip, and I don't know any." A bit of a smile came into his eyes. "And that, though you are, yourself, the most gossiped about individual in Dornlitz," he answered. "Another penalty of my new estate," said I. "The butt of all and the confidant of none." Courtney tapped my baton. "Have you noticed, Lady Ilelen, what a steady run of hard luck our friend, here, has had ever since he came to Valeria?" he asked. "Indeed I have," said she, "and I've been so sorry for him." Then she nodded most pleasantly to someone, and Courtney and I turned and bowed. It was the Marquise de Yierle, wife of the French ambassador. "How about her masque tonight?" I asked. "Will it be worth while?" "It's very evident you are new to Dornlitz." Courtney observed, and Lady Helen laughed. "The Yierle balls outrival even the court functions," she explained. "Are you going?" I asked her. "I am, indeed.' "And you, Courtney?" "I shall look in late." I motioned to Moore. "Who is on duty tonight?" I asked. "1 am, sir." "Could you manage two costumes for the Yierle masque?" "Quite readily, sir." "Very good," I said. "And let them be as near alike as possible," I added. By this time the field was almost deserted, and at Lady Helen's suggestion Courtney and I turned our horses over to my orderly and drove back with

"I suppose," said I, "that fancy dress is required tonight?" "Absolutely," said Courtney. "And there is no unmasking." "Really!" said I. "It promises very well." "And It realizes all it promises maybe a bit more," Lady Helen laughed. "How shall I recognize you?" I asked. She considered a moment. "I am to stay the night with the marquise, and we shall both wear white silk court gowns of the period of Henry of Navarre. I'll also put a red rose in my hair." "And I," said Courtney, 4twill be caparisoned in a plum velvet court suit, a la Louis Quinze. You will know me easily by the awkward way I handle the high rect heels." "As I don't know what Moore will provide for me," said I, "I will adopt Lady Helen's rose, and as I can't fasten it in my hair, I'll carry it in my mouth." "A good idea," said Courtney. "And I'll put one in my button hole."

The Bal Masque. WHEN Moore and I entered the French embassy that night my own valet could not have distinguished which was the aid and which the archduke. By some means, which I did not bother to inquire, Moore had secured two suits of black velvet of the time of the thirteenth Louis, which were marvels in fit and style. Even our swords were similar long, leather sheathed rapiers with dead gold hilts. Under my doublet I laced the steel vest Bernheim brought me. It and one other were made by a famous Milan armorer 300 years ago, Bernheim said, and the two had been in his family ever since. And, so far as he knew, there were no others like them in all Europe, not even in the museums. It was a wonderful piece of work truly. The links were small and yielding and so cunningly joined that it was as pliable as knitted wool and much less bulky. Indeed, when rolled into a ball it was no bigger than a man's fist. It looked quite too flimsy to afford any protection, yet when I saw it proof against a bullet fired from a revolver and also turn repeated sword thrusts I was perforce convinced. As every one came masked, admission was, of course, only by card, after which all were conducted singly to a small room where the mask was removed and identification satisfactorily established by the ambassador's secretary. The house was one of the largest in the capital, standing in a park of its own on the edge of the inner town. The grounds were the main attraction. They covered twenty acres and were maintained exactly as originally laid out by a famous Italian landscape artist, with immense trees and huge hedges and narrow walks and wonderful vistas. The Marquise de Yierle welcomed her guests alone in one of the small reception rooms, every one entering singly and unmasking, she herself being as yet in ordinary evening dress. She was a very handsome woman, much younger than the marquis and of the very oldest French aristocracy, a grande dame in bearing as well as in birth. "Your royal highness does us great honor," she said as 1 bowed over her hand. . I answered her in suit, and we tossed the usual number of compliments back and forth. "Whom shall we bid join you at supper?" she asked. "My dear marquise," I protested, "you have your personal party selecteddoubtless invited, and my unexpected coming must not break your arrangements." But she declined to excuse me. "Who attends you tonight?" she asked. "My aid, Colonel Moore." "Suppose, then, we make it a party of eight and ask Lady Helen, the Countess de Relde, Mile. d'Essolde and the American ambassador." 4 "Charming!" I exclaimed, "charming!" "And what hour will your highness be served?" she asked. "At whatever hour Mme. la Marquise fixes." "Say, 1 o'clock, then, in the blue breakfast room. It is quiet and retired." I bowed again over her hand and was withdrawing, when the marquise stopped me. "Would not your highness like to know some of the masques?" she asked. "Yery much, indeed," said I. "Then you will find a chair in the recess behind the curtains, yonder and, when you are tired, there is a . door, which slides without noise, opening into a private corridor leading to the garden." I laughed. "And I may have Colonel Moore with me? There will be many faces I shall not know." "He is without?" she asked. "Yes and costumed somewhat like myself." She touched a ball. I held up my mask. "Admit the gentleman in black velvet like monsieur," she ordered. From the recess we could see all that entered and hear every word said. I must admit I rather enjoyed the experiencethough I very rarely guessed the face behind the mask. Suddenly the marquis entered hurriedly. "Do you know, Claira," ha said, "that the American archduke la bare tonight?" Instantly I laid my hand on the sliding door. It was tima for us to be going. And the door refused t move. I lookad at Moor, wha sbniff td hk hon Id era. I scold Imagine the smilsj

his mask concealed. But the marquise met the situation with a laugh. "I do indeed, and I rather fancy you Will find his highness in yonder receea," she said. I parted the curtains and stepped out and Colonel Moore beside me. "Mme. la Marquise has taken pity on the stranger," I said, "and has given him an opportunity to rs cognize his friends." If the diplomat were surprised no one would have guessed it, except that his bow was more than usually low. "It ia a great 'privilege, my dear prince, if we can be of any use to you," he said. I took a sudden resolve. "I very much fear my unexpected presenca tonight is a source of concern and inconvenience to your excellency' I said. "With your permission I will take my leave." And I made to go. Vierle came quickly to me. "It will make the marquise and mo most unhappy if you do," he said. "And I shall tell you frankly what brought me here. The lady who styles herself your wife is among the guests. She is in the next room now waiting to be admitted. My purpose was to have the marquise request her to depart at once." I laughed and put my hand on his shoulder. "So far as I am concerned," I said, "I pray you do nothing of the sort The lady does not bother me in the

"From the recess we could see all that entered." slightest. Besides, she will not know I'm here, and I shall not present myself to her, you may be sure." "Yet we owe your highness an explanation of her presence," the marquise exclaimed. "It was this way: Madeline Stafford and I were friends and schoolmates in Paris. We both married about the same time and then lost touch with each other. I had neither seen nor heard from her until I received a note some weeks ago. After your highness regretted for tonight, I sent her a card. I mentioned the matter to the Duke of Lotzen and he said that, under the circumstances and as every one would be masked, it would be entirely proper. That is my explanation." "And one amply sufficient, even if any were required," 1 said. I thought I saw my dear cousin's game. "And you are quite sure you do not object to her remaining?" "Quite sure," said I, "and I even hope she will enjoy herself. I shall, I know. And at supper I'll confide my adventures to your ladyship." Then I took a shot in the dark. "And I know his highness of Lotzen will be forever sorry he could not be here tonight," I added. "He was good enough to call and tell me so," was the answer. I was sure now I saw my dear cousin's game. Then I bowed over the marquise's hand and Moore and I went out through the sliding door, which, when the marquis rolled it back for us, I saw was not locked. In my haste I had not seen the small brass button which released the latch. "It's a pity Vierle didn't tell us what costume Mrs. Spencer is wearing," Moore remarked, as we reached the garden. I stopped short. "What a blunderer I am: It would be better if you did the thinking for me." "Shall I go back and ask him?" "It will keep until supper," said I. "In the meantime, let us hunt up Courtney and Lady Helen." I explained to him how to distinguish them; then, taking from my doublet a small package wrapped in foil, I selected a red rose and put it in my mouth. "Now," said I, "let us have a look around." For a time I was more occupied with the beauty of the garden than with my fellow masques. The grounds were so thoroughly lighted vrith electricity that they were as bright as day, the lamps being so carefully distributed that there were practically no shadows. Presently on the bank of a miniature lake near the farthest wall we came upon three women and a man. "The Dromios," said one of the women. "Satan's twins," laughed another. "A pair of black knaves," echoed the third. The man laughed, but said nothing. I put my hand through Moore's arm and swung; him around. "Why not add us to your own knave and then give us a qoeasi spies T" I asked. She whs had spoken last clapped her bands. "Dellciousr she exclaimed "Will montiiur ba my knarar The voice was ery sort asvd saueic&l, and I, hi Moor glanoa quickly at fear. "Xfcat will I, lady," seid X,

stepped forward and kissed htr kand then drew it through my arm. "Who chooses the other black knavtT asked Moors, sweeping- off his hat and bowing with it u3d acrosa his heart I noted he had changed his voice. "I do," said sha who had atjlad u "Satan's twins," and abe gave ham her' hand. He who had been wit thmn shrugged his shoulders and tmrmed te ha who had spoken first. "Mademolseil, nid ha, "I am waif ing to be choien," Bha laughed. 'Mademoiselle will be

deeply honored-" she said. "If will dsign to accept tha catiy that is lett. It chanced that none of these fee masques had gone through the recep-( Hon room while we were behind the curtains, so, of course, I had not tha slightest notion of their identity. Ii was quite possible Moore would be able to make a good guess, and I fancied he had already placed my queen, she ofi the musical laugh. She was of good height and ratherj slender and wore a blue gown with powdered hair. Her face and ear were completely hidden by her maskjj .but, judging from the bit of neck that was visible and other indications, she was not over twenty-five. I took It that she had no desire to be prtmiinatit and I was very well content "Do you know, monsieur," she said presently, "you and your friend are not the only two men here tonight who are dressed alike?" "Are they black knaves, too?" I ash ed. She tapped me on the arm with herfan. "Don't be sarcastic, my dear," she said, "though I admit we were very forward." Two men were coming dowm the path toward us. "Here are the other twin knaves," she said. And it was true enough. They were as alike as Moore and myself, only they wore white satin small clothes and powdered perukes. They were in earnest conversation, but broke off as they nUired us. "There seems to be a plague of twins tonight," said the man with us. One of the white masks made as though to halt, but the other whispered something and tried to draw him on. Our fellow laughed irritatingly and waved his hand toward Moore and me. "We've got a pair of knaves here also," he bantered. "Perchance the four of you are from the same pack." The white masque turned quickly. "Then it would be a pack, monsieur, in which you would be about equal to the deuce," he said. "Or the joker," said the other as they moved away, "which in a gentleman's game has no place." Our man made a quick step toward them, but Moore caught him sharply by the shoulder. "Let them go," he said curtly. The other hesitated, then shrugged his shoulders. "For the present be it,, then," he said, and we went on. "What a queer speech," said my masque. "One might almost fancy they were of royal rank." "The king possibly," I suggested. "Nonsense, monsieur. You know perfectly well his majesty is not in Dornlitz." "The Duke of Lotzen and the ican archduke, then." She laughed. "Very likely; likel, indeed!" "Mademoiselle is pleased to ridicule." "And monsieur is pleased to affaai Ignorance." "Of what?" I asked. "When did your knayeship come te Dornlitz?" "Very recently." "You must be a vary stupid diplomat" "I am," I agreed. "Do you know the 'American archduke,' as you call him?" "Very slightly," said I. "Doubtless you would ratfcar know his wife," she said naively. "Then you think ha la saarriadr I asked. "Of course, monsieur. So doea every one. Don't you?" "No," said I, "I don't" She laughed. "You mean you dent want to think so. Tdm y very beautiful, is she not?" I shrugged my shoulders. "The lady does not Interest me," I said; "let us talk of something else," "Of the American archduke, thesV she suggested. "Why not of yourself r I urged. "I am only a masque the America may be a king." "Not likely," I scoffed "Are yon for Lotzen?" she demahoV ad. "Diplomats are neutrat" said I) "butt batwaan us, I have become rather interested in the American." "So have I," said she. "He is the perfect double of the great national hero." "So I've heard." "And lt'a do small item in his popu larity." ul didn't know he was popular," I said. This was getting interesting. She laughed. "Come, monsieur, lay aside this affected ignorance cjid gossip a bit la the American to marry the princess royal?" "I thought you were insisting a moment since that he had a wife," I ob served. "Oh, that's of ne consequence. It will be very easy to divorce her." Here, doubtless, was the popular view of this matter, and it gave msj the shudders. Than the swing of a waits cune from the house. And whan the ethers fan up Moore and I Baads essr adlnTa be asssi44