Jasper Weekly Courier, Volume 54, Number 31, Jasper, Dubois County, 10 May 1912 — Page 7

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Copyright, 1905, PROLOGUE OF THE STORY. Major Armand Dalberg, American army officer, is detailed to Valeria when war is declared -by Titia. Courtney, new United States 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 surviviug descendant. On a previous unofficial visit to Valeria Armand unexpectedly met Princess Dehrn, the present king's daughter. She captivates Armand. r 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 Major Moore become his aids. He meets I lie Duke of Lotzen, heir presumptive, of whom he is suspicious. At the opera Armand proposes to the princess. He sees a Mrs. Spencer, an American adventuress, who later publicly claims to be Iiis wife, which Armand denies. She shows proofs. The king listens tu explanations, after which lie sanctions the engagement with the princess. The Spencer woman is detained within Dornlitz by order of Armand, as a result of which she calls upon him at the pal ace. -She unexpectedly meets the king, ITineess Dehrn and Courtney and of fers to explain her visit to Valeria. An "W Another Act In the Play. ILL you begin. Armand?" she said. 1 bowed. "After you, madame," said 1, "and per chance when 1 have heard your story 1 may revoke the order." She smiled disdaiufully, then addressed the king: "L consented to this exchange only because your majesty would thus heatlit least: some truth as to t Iiis marriage. 1 confess, however, I am surprised that Major Dalberg permits it to be (lisclosed. When It was determined that Major Dalberg was to bo the American military attache with the Valerian army lie tnld me for the first time of his kinship to your majesty. On my insistent urging he then decided to make a bid for your favor to the end that you might acknowledge his birth and restore to him the lost estates and titles of his ancestor, Prince Hugo. Apprehending, however, that your majesty would look with more kindness upon him as a bachelor than as a married man it was arranged that 1 should remain in America. Then as soon as the scheme had either succeeded or delinitely failed 1 was to be seilt for." She turned and looked at me. "It is rather needless to say, in view of M. Arnmnd's present attitude toward me, that he never sent for me. But I saw the accounts in the daily press of the wonderful story of an American army ollicer, Armand Dalberg, being in truth a prince of Valeria and how he had been so accepted and proclaimed by the king. 1 waited two weeks and more for word from my husband, then 1 came hither and met the kind reception he gave me in the hanging garden." She paused an instant, then spoke to me: "The bargain is now with you. monsieur, i await the explanation of your order." I Issued the order, madame, because you have falsely proclaimed yourself my wife, and 1 intend to confine your acting as such within the limits of this town. Ho long as you pose as my wife you will never pass the gates of Dornüi'.r "In other words 1 am to be a prisoner for life," she said, "Tlmt is for you to determine." I answered. She studied my face a bit. "1 suppose you want me to consent to a divorce." she said. "Divorce implies marriage," I auswered. She shook hor hoad and smiled tolerantly. "I really can't promise to die just to accommodate, your highness." she said. 1 made no reply. "And that suggests the inquiry, your majesty." she said, "as the wife'of the Prince Armand am 1 not a grand duchess of Valeria and a royal high ness ; Surely the woman's Impudanee was almost beyond belief. But the king was very courteous. Tim decide of restoration applies only to the Gnrhd Buke Armand," he "And I rmaia fclraply Mr. Armand

JOHN REED

by John Reed Scott. Copyright, 1906, by Frederick smiled. "You remain exactly what you were before the decree was signed," he said. She turned to me. "Since I am to live in Dornlitz the rest of ray days, where is it your gracious purpose that I reside in the Epsau palace or where?" "Except to assure you it will .not be in the Epsau, it is no concern of mine where you live," I answered. "Then it will be the Hotol Metzen, and of course the bill will be sent to 3'OU." "Oh. no, it won't," I answered. "Surely," she exclaimed, "you can't intend to hold me prisoner and then oblige me to provide my own subsistence." "Your subsistence, Mrs. Spencer, is not my affair." I said, "since the length of your euforced detention in Bomlitz is optional with yourself." "You moan 7" "I mean that when you admit I am not and never was your husband and that the marriage certificate is false that instant you are free to depart." She shook her head. "I am willing to permit you to obtain a divorce," she said, "but 1 may not deny the truth of the certificate." "Very pood," said I. "1 trust 3ou will enjoy your stay in Dornlitz." She swung around toward Courtney. "You are the American ambassador, are you not, monsieur?" she said. Courtney answered by a bow. "Then 1 ask it' you will suffer an American citizen to bo kept prisoner by the Valerian authorities without trial or legal judgment V" "Not for a moment, madame," said Courtney instantly, and with a quick smile at the king. "You would protest?" "Most strenuously; and so would Washington." She looked at me with a triumphant sneer. "You hear, your highness?" she exclaimed. "Yes," said "I presume depart." "lront the I, "I hear." I am now at liberty to room? undoubtedly," T answered. "Thank you I mean from Dornlilz." "Whenever you will," said I; "on uho terms 1 gave you." She turned again to Courtney. "I appeal to your excellency for protection." "Upon what basis, madame?" he asked formally, She looked surprised. "As an American subject," she said. "And under what name?" Courtney asked. "My rightful one, of course," she laughed "Madeline Dalberg." "Wife of the Grand Duke Armand?" he went on. "Surely, monsieur! Who else?" "That madame, if you will pardon, is the material point. As wife of a Valerian prince you are a subject of his majesty, Frederick III., and the American government has no jurisdic tion to interfere." "Hut, his majesty has lust said T was not comprehended in the decree restoring my husband," she objected. "Of course I can speak only according to the doctrine of the United States," said Courtney. "Tt asks only if you are the wife of a foreigner. If you are, then his citizenship determines yours." She gave Courtney a sarcastic smile and addressed the king. "Will your majesty tell mo where in me valerian doctrine differs from the American?" she asked. "It is precisely similar." said Frederick. She arose and went close over to the king. "Your majesty has heard mo appeal for protection to the ambassador of my native land and be refused because I was no longer an American citizen." she bejrnn. "And you yourself have practically admitted he was correct and that I am a Valerian subject. Therefore I demand that freedom of action which is granted to all your citizens and that the order of the governor of Dornlitz be revoked." Frederick looked at her sternly for a moment. "Pray he seated, madame," he said, "and permit me to observe that if you are my subject your manner of address is scarcely respectful to your king." "I do not desire to be disrespectful " she replied, "but If I am your subject I have the undoubted right to the protection of your laws. I ask vour maiesty If I am receiving that protection. I ask your majesty if those laws permit one unaccused of any crime or wrongdoing to be held prisoner within the limits of n town, I ask your majesty If those laws sanction such an order as your governor yonder has made rs pectin me." Thr was jut the proper touch of

SCOTT

J. B. Lippincott Co. dignified indignation and feminine pathos. Indeed, 1 never saw this rather remarkable woman act her part better than in that short speech. The king looked at her for a bit in silence. "If 3Tou are the lawfully wedded wife of the Grand Duke Armand there is nothing illegal in the order you complain of," he said. "In Valeria the husband has lawful authority, upon proper cause, to restrain his wife within even smaller limits than are prescribed for you." "But where, in mf case, is there any proper cause?" she demanded. "Besides, he avers I am not his wife. Therefore he can have no authority over me." The king smiled. "My dear madame, you forget that it is you who insist upon su omitting yourseu to his authority." "That may be, sire, yet I appeal to your sense of fairness. Should he be permitted to exercise a husband's authority to imprison me and at the same time deny that he is my husband?" "The circumstances of the case are so extraordinary, madame, that I fear it cannot well be judged by the usual standard." She smiled very sweetly. "Which means that I am to be held to the strict obligations of my position, but that the Grand Duke Armand can perpetrate any inconsistency he chooses." The king smiled back at her. "I do not doubt that his royal highness will be most happy to be relieved of the necessity for being inconsistent," he said. "Good!" she exclaimed. "I am ready TO OllVP nnrnMf-rr nnrt Voln. n t ... day." The king turned to me interrogatingly. "Then you admit you are not Madeline Dalberg?" I asked. "On the contrary, I reaulrm it, but I offer you a divorce." I shrugged my shoulders and made no reply. "You see, sire," she said, "how reasonable he is. He condescends to be consistent only if bv foreinir me to perjure myself he can further his schemes." And she deliberately turned and looked at the princess. J stepped quickly between them. She laughed scornfully. "How like you, Armand!" she said. "It's only a Short while slnee von - w pBV rvr wore Just as thoughtful for me." I. was too angry to reply, but she could read my thoughts In my eyes, and she answered them with a taunting smile and a toss of her head. So there was silence, for a space; then she spoke to Courtney: "I understand your excellency refuses mo your protection because I am a Valerian subject?" Courtney bowed. "Made so by your own statements," ho answered. "And your majesty refuses to interlore between the governor of Dornlitz and me because as his wife I am subject to his authority?" "In effect, yes," said Frederick. "And you, my Lord Armand, declare that I am not your wife and therefore that I am an American subiect?" "I think, Mrs. Spencer, we have gone over that matter ad nauseam," I said. "1 grant you the nauseousuess," she retorted. "A barefaced lie may not be over chary as to the defense it provokes," I answered. She gathered up her skirts and turned toward the door. At the threshold she looked back and smiled at me. "Au revoir, Armand, dear, au revoir," she said almost caressingly. "You will come back to mo soon I know." Before I could frame an answer she was My Cousin, th Duke. OR the next few weeks matters went along without any particular incident. The snarl In which I was ontnnirlfui cimwod no signs of unraveling, and my mar 3 f - S I V -v. tv i'ui.v uuu uie royai suecession seemed farther away than ever, The investigations in the United States had yielded nothing of any utility. Indeed they laid been practically imrruii, lur uney nan toui me little more than Courtney's cablegram. Edwards, the witness named in the certificate, had not been located, though New York had been scraped as with a fine tooth comb, so it was safe to assume his existence was only on paper and In Alderman McGulre's hrain. The movements of Madeline Spencer had been very (lillieult to trace. She nau scayea recently in Washington, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and New

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conducted for me by Courtney's secret agents yield anything more satisfactory. Nevertheless I was none the less positive that there had been some sort of communication between Madeline Spencer in America and the Duke of Lotzen in Valeria in response to which she was here. So it seemed Courtney was correct, as usual. He had predicted that nothing would be found by the detectives. There seemed to be nothing but to cultivate patience and settle down to wait for some one to blunder or for the lady to get tired of her enforced residence in

Dornlitz and begin to get restless and do something whioh wnnhl irive na n sumeuninjT clew to work on. She had retained her apartments at the Hotel Motzen the management having, however, addressed me as to my pleasure in the matter and at least once every day she had sought to pass " - some one of the city gates, and when refused would then demand exit as the wue or uie uranci Duke Armand. pleasure and in the hope of gainin g my good will by discrediting her. But she would have none of them and went her way with the serene blindness of an honest woman. Of course I nointedlv ignored her when we chanced to pass each other, but it had no effect, for the next time her greeting was only the more effusively intimate. Naturally the people stared. The whole situation was intensely irritating and growing more so every day, and my patience, never long at best, must have been a trilie uncertain for those around me. 1 was a bit lonely too. The king was in the north, and the princess was with him, and so, for a time, was Lotzen, I happened to know, though I understood he had now left them and was returning to Dornlitz. I wished him a long journey and a slow one. His suave courtesy was becoming unbearable, and my sorest trial was to receive it calmly and to meet it in kind. Truly, if he had found a brilliant leading woman in Madeline Spencer, he had an' equally brilliant leading man in himself. I was no possible match for him. and I could feel the sneer behind his smile. I wanted to give him a good body beating, and I was sure he knew it and that it only amused him. He must have fancied I wished him a long absence, for he returned with astonishing promptness. I saw him the next afternoon in the otlicers' club, and our greeting was almost effusive. T11 ride over to headquarters with I TTMi " n nnii I ouiu. "I'm walking," I answered. "Good. I'll walk, too," lie replied. So we set out, the orderly following with the duke's horse. When we reached headquarters I suggested that he come up to my olllce and smoke a cigar. I thought he oua decline. But there I erred, "Thanks," said he; "I'll join you as 550011 ns rve registered," and he turned (lown thc corridor toward the adjutant general's oülee. On my desk was a wire from the princess. She and the king would reach Dornlitz the next morning, and I was expected to lunch at the palace. I dispatched an answer that would meet the royal train en route and thought of Lotzen with indifference almost. When he came 1 was going through a batch of papers which had just been brought In for my signature. "Don't let me disturb you," he said heartily. "Finish the miserable red tape." I nodded. He chose a cigar and, having lighted It with the careful attention he seemed to give to the smallest matters, he sauntered to the window that overlooked the avenue. Presently he glanced around at me. I signed the last of the papers, pushed them aside and arose. "Mrs. Spencer is about to pass," he said. "I trust so," said I. "I'm sure I've no (lesire for her to stop." Then suddenly he frowned and made a short bow"She had the impudence to speak to me," he said. "She must be a most extraordinary woman." I shrugged my shoulders. "Yet, what I can't understand is what she hopes to gain by masquerading here as your wife." I looked at htm and wnitiui tt w steerimr into stramm wafor V Crtnm C7 b KJ W J V. to me. "Now, if she had done it in Paris or lenna or any place outside of Va lerla," he went on, "one could see tin temporary profit of it. But to come to uiiuiiK aim uare it unuer your very nose!" He tlung up his hands. "She is a bit too much for me." I saw his drift now. He wanted to know if I suspected him and to that end was quite willing to match his wit against mine. His contempt for my discernment was not especially Hatter-T"t,-v.... 11.. .... ,1 .t .. t j . mg, but sometimes it does no harm to be taken for a fool-if one is not nd I was conceited enough to consider myself the latter, which, however may only have proved that Lotzen was right "And for me, too, at present," I answered. "At present?" he echoed, blowing a succession of smoke rings and watching them float away. I nodded. "She will get tired of the Ktime presently and quit." "She has stuck to it rather .nersfsrently," he observed, "and f crossed the seas to play it." "Yes," staid I. "she did Just that. Yet

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You are judging from experience?" he asked rather quickly. "I've known the lady for a few 3ears," I laughed, "and I've yet to find her true either to herself or to the hand that paid her." Then I got a start He suddenly struck straight from the shoulder. "By 'the hand that paid her,' you mean" he asked, and now his eyes were fairly drilling into mine. I took on a look of surprise. "What does it usually mean?" I answered, with a bit of a shrug. He either had to appear to accept the inference in this answer or else ask me iiimi.-iv if t 1 ik T AI. & 1111.11 11 1. I 111 I . IIt. kTI ll-l II was in his employ. He chose the former and looked at me with an amused smile. , "I assume you lay no claims to saintSllipr "None whatever, my dear duke." Possibly you avoided situations which mi-'lit put you to the test?" 'So that's the motive for it. is it? 'Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned,' " he quoted. It was meant as a question however. I appeared to hesitate. "Revenge sometimes does take queer forms," 1 said tentatively. --xiui uu, luu. uiuiiv Luis is ruveiiiiu .' he asked. "What other motive could she have?" I answered. He closed his eyes a moment, lest, I suppose, his amused contempt should shine out so plainly that even stupid I would see it. He was sure uoav he had been right in deeming me too heavy witted to suspect hirn. "It might be blackmail." he suggested. "Then she is a very long time In naming her price," I replied. w r - t "True, but maybe she is cniovlns: Dornlitz," he laughed. 1 laughed too. "It's none of my business, of Course. Armand," he went on, "but whv don't "Two tossos and two wagers." yo u run her out of thc kingdom In stead of keeping her in by force?" "I'm waiting for her to get tired of the game and quit." ' He thought a bit. "Maybe I can help you," he said. . ... 77"-" , """7 I 11 IM I I ftf I lUil 111.. Itmi. , ...iumi.tj, uu uiu mj uuau uuL lu show my surprise. "lrou are very kind," I answered, "though 1 don't ßeo what you can do." "I may take It you have no particular regard for the lady, so you would have no objection to some one making' a try at her?" "None whatever, I assure you." "Tvo taken rather a shy at her myself, and you understand?" I thought I did, but not as ho meant me to. What he wanted was liberty to communicate at will directly with the lady without arousing suspicion or seeming to side against me. I shut one eye and looked at him as though in sly comprehension. "But how will that help mo?" I asked. "In this way," said he: "You think she Is tired of her game and about !'Gady t0 quIt 1 cox?e along' ftnd she Lusoto yuu uver auu seizes tue uew prey. I'll tell her plainly she cannot have me so long as there Is any question about her being your wife." "But won't It raise a nasty scandal?" I objected. "Not a bit," he said, with a knowing smile. "We have ways to do such things, you know. I have a chateau The lady near the French border. leaves for Paris and goes by way of the chateau. Understand?" I wanted to laugh In his face. What a charming scheme to get Mrs. Spencor out of tho klnlon "But, suppose," said I, "she cuts the chateau and keeps right on to Paris?" "Trust me, my dear marshal, she won't cut the chateau. 1 shall be with her when she leaves Dornlitz." - "I know tho lady," said I. "I'm afraid to risk it." He tossed aside his cigar and lit a fresh one. "Very well, cousin," he said, with an air of good natured inditterence. "It's your affair, of course. If you need me, I am yours to command." "My dear duke," I said, "I realize your friendly spirit and I want you to know I appreciate it, and I shall not hesitate to call on you if the occasion arise." He flung his cape around him and hooked up his sword. "And. in the meantime, do 1 understand that l am to keep severclv away from the lady?" I hesitated. Of course his point was to obtain from me direct authority for him to visit her. The very fact that he wanted it was a sufllcient reon for refusing; but, cm th mtbr

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unsuspected, it might not be a Im 4 move to give him the opportunity. Jt would increase the chances for them to make a blunder. I determined to risk it. "The only restriction touching Mrs. Silencer is the order of the military governor," I answered, "if you ran induce her to acknowledge the falsity of that certificate, she shall be free to resume her journey, and joy go with her." He went ver to the door, then returned and, leaning on the back of a chair, looked at me thoughtfully. "There is a matter, cousin." he began, "which has been on my mind lately and this may be as good u times as any to take it up." ' I nodded. "Go a head we are in the humor for confidences this afternoon, it seems." "And for plain speaking?" he asked. "Between men I'm always for that." said I., "it's the safest 'in tho om.

as to to succession. and second, are von n snfhir fnr th hand of the princess royal?" It would have been impossible to hide my surprise, so 1 made no effort. Surely this man's methods were almost beyond comprehension. "My dear duke," I replied, "vour uucöuuuö are omni, nnu :i n mm ntwww I - 4 W " - WW will do for both. It is none of your business." He laughed. "By which I infer you decline to answer." "Precisely." He tossed away Iiis cigar and slowly lit another. "Of course, Armand, that is your privilege; but, then, you must pardon the further inference that to decline to answer is really to answer in the affirmative." "You are responsible for your infer"wa, nut i, i repueu curuy. no leaned a bit forward. "Let us take up my first question," he said. take "Have you ever considered what you were "kely to encounter if you under took to iilch the crown? Do you think that I, who have been the heir presumptive since the instant of my birth almost, will calmly step aside and permit you to take my place?" I looked at him indifferently and made no answer. "Do you fancy for an instant," he went on, "that the people of Valeria would have a foreigner for king?" I shrugged my shoulders. "And even if old Frederick were to become so infatuated with you that he would restore you to Hugo's place in the line of succession do you imagine that the house of nobles would hesitate to annul it the instant he died?" From the written words one might well infer that he spoke loudly and in open anger, whereas, in fact, his face was smiling and his voice was even more soft than usual. It behooved me to meet him in kind. "As you seem to have been doing my thinking, cousin, perhaps you have also thought out my answers. If you have I shall be glad to hear them. It will save mo the labor of thinking them out for myself." His smile broadened. "The only la bor I can promise to save you, cousin, Is tiiat of being king." I fear It Is a bit early for me to cü00se my Hnie minister " I said. His smile became a laugh. "Let um pass to my second question. It, however, demands no thinking, There U ample evidence of your intention aa to the princess." "Then why ask it?" I inquired. "Because of her Intention toward you I am not so sure but women are queer creatures and prone to take queer crochets. You aim to marry her and no, having won the king and stolen ury birthright, to use her popularity to secure you on the throne." "I suppose I am very stupid," I said, "but I don't quite understand why, 'if j'ou feel so about the princess, you offered to aid me in getting rid of Mrs. Spencer." "Pure selfishness, cousin. I hav taken a liking to the lady myself." "Then at least I may thank you for your selfishness," I sneered. He smiled, then turned and looked at the clock on the mantel behind him. "Come, Armand," he said, "1 must be going. Will you condescend to answer?" I arose. "You won't? Well, it's not really nee. essary but have you a dice bos?" "I have not." "A pack of cards, then?" "No." He shrugged his shoulders. "This will serve, though It's rather low claaa." and he took out a gold coin and rang it on the table. "You were an American officer, and I understand they am as game a lot of men as wear sword. Will you bear that out and try a toes with me?" "And the wager?" I asked. "Two tosses and two wagers. The first, for the princess; the second, for the crown." I waited a moment until I could control my voice. "It will give me the most intern pleasure, my dear duke," said I, "to toss younot with yonder coin, bat out of yonder window. I fancy a second toss would not be neceary; but, if it were, I could do It with a much pleasure as the first." Lotzcn's face got crimson, ttetn gradually paled, like red hot Iron pum ing to white heat. So, for a spucf, we stood at gaxe. Then he and I marveled at tht continue cateh ness of his voice. o "You are myuperjor offlctr, mny not strnce jou njor lrw you. But you trfll, 1 trat,

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