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About The frontier. (O'Neill City, Holt County, Neb.) 1880-1965 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 2, 1922)
The Princess Dehra BY JOHN REED SCOTT. Copyright, 1908. by John Kccd Scott v - — ..*--J The Duke nodded. “And on what, is the notion based t “Originally, on hope, 1 fancy; but lately it, has become accept ed that, the King not only has the power to displace you, but has actually signed the decree. “And Frederick—does he en courage the idea?’’ The Count shook his head. “ No except by his%>pen fondness for the American.” “I’ve been urged to go to DoruSitz and kill die American, Lotzen remarked, with a smile and a not toward Mrs. Spencer. “If you can kill him, said Higlcr instantly, “the advice is excellent.” t “Exactly. And if I can’t, it s the end of me -and my friends.” “I think your friends would gladly try the hazard,’ the Count answered. “It is dull prospect and small hope for them, even now. And candidly, my lord, to my mind, it’s your only chance, if you wish the Crown; for, be lieve me, the Archduke Armand is fixed for the succession, and the day he weds the Princess Jtoyal will see him formally pro claimed.” The Duke strode to the far end of the room and back again. “la that your honest advice— to go to DornlitzT” he asked. The other arose ami raised his hand in salute. “It is, sir; and not, mine alone, but (iimcls and Rosen’s and Whippen’s, and all the others'- I hat is what brought me here. ” “And have you any plan ar ranged?” The Count nodded ever so slightly, then looked Ihe Duke steadily in the lace and the lat ter understood. - He turn'd to Madeline Spen cer. “Come nearer, my dear,” he said, “we may need your quirk wit—there is plotting u i'oot.” She gave him a smile of appre ciation, and ramo and took the chair he offered, and he motioned for Itigler to proceed. “Rut., first, tell me,” he inter jected, “am 1 to go to Dornlitz openly or in disguise? 1 don't fancy the latter.” “Openly,” said the Count. “Having been in exile a month, you can venture to return and throw yourself on Frederick's mercy. We think ho will receive you and permit, you to remain — but, at least, it will give you two days in Dornlitz, and, if our plan does not miscarry, that will be . quite ample.” *■ "Very good,” the Duke com li.ented ; “but, my going will de pend upou how 1 like your plot; let us have it—and in it, i trust you have uol overlooked my fi asco at the Virile Masque and so bung it all on my single sword.” “Your sword may be very nec e ary, but, if so, it won't be alone. We have several plans - the one wc hope to-” \ light tap on the door inter rupted him, and a servant enter ed, with the bright pink envelope tluii, in Valeria, always eenteinod a te.egiv.m. 'My recall to Court,” laughed tl* * Duke, a:. 1 drawing out the no .'.sage glanced at it indiffer ent !y. ^ seemed to take him uu d 1; on:', to r a I it ; and when, a: long':•. he folded it, Ins face v •- very grave, and V* sat si h ni, staring at the floor, creas ing ami recreasing the sheet with 4i t'vous fingers, and quite obli vious to tlu* two who were watch ing him, and the servant standing stiffly at attention at his side. .S ul lenly, from " without, arit.ie a mad din of horses’ In ofs and human voices, as the returning cavalcade dashed into the courtyard, women and men yelling like fiends possessed. A 1 it roused the Duke. ' You may go,” to the foot man; “there is no answer now.” ]i * waited until the door closed; then held up the telegram. ‘‘His majesty died, suddenly, this af ternoon,” he said. Count Bigler sprang half out of his chair. “Frederick dead! the king dead!” he, cried—“then, in God’s name, who now is king— you or the Americant” The Duke arose. “That is what we are about to find out,” he said, very quietly. “Come, we will go to Dornlitz.” CHAPTER II. ' Tomorrow and the Book. Frederick of Valeria had died as every .strong man wants to die: suddenly and in the midst 3 of liis affairs, with the full vigor of life still upon him and no pre monition of the end. It had been a sharp straightening in saddle, a catch of breath, a lift of hand toward heart, and then, with the great band of the Foot Guards thundering before him, find the regiment swinging by in review, he had sunk slowly over and into the arms of the Arch duke Armand, And as he held him, there was a quick touch of surgeon’s fingers to pulse and breast, a shake of head, a word; and then, sorrowfully and in si lence, they bore him away; while the regiment, wheeling sharply into lipe, spread across the pa rade and held back the populace. And presently, as the people lin gered, wondering and fearful, and the guards stood stolid in their ranks, the royal standard on the great tower of the castle dropped slowly to half staff, and the mellow bell of the cathedral began to toll, to all Valeria, the mournful message that her king was dead. And far out in the country the Princess I)ehra heard it, but faintly; and drawing rein, she listened in growing.trepidation for a louder note. Was it the cathedral bell?—the bell that tolled only when a Dalberg died! ror ft while she caught no slroke, and 'the fear was passing, when down the wind it came, clear and strong—and again—and yet again. And with blanched cheek and fluttering heart she was racing at top speed toward Dornlitz, staying neither for man nor beast, nor hill nor stream, the solemn clang smiting her ever harder and harder in the face, there were but. two for whom it could lie speaking, her father and her lover—for she gave no thought to Lotzen or his brother, Charles. And now, which?— which? Milo after mile went be hind her in dust and flying stones, until six were passed, and then the outer guard post rose in front. “The hell!” she cried, as the sentry sprang to attention, “the bell, man, the bell?” The soldier grounded arms. “For the king,” he said. But as tjie word was spoken she was gone—joy and sorrow now fighting strangely in her heart—and as she dashed up the wide avenue, the men uncovered and the women breathed a pray er; but) die, herself, saw only the big, gray building with the drooping flag, and toward it she sped, the echo of the now silent bell still ringing in her ears. The castle gates were closed, and before them with drawn swords, stern and impassive, sat two hugh cuirassiers of the guard; they heard the nearing hoof Wbats, and over the heads of tlie crowd that hung about the entrance, they saw and under stood. “Stand hack!” they cried; “stand back—^the princess conics!” And the gales swung open, and the big sorrel horse, reeking with sweat and flecked with foam and dust, flashed by, anil on across (he courtyard. And Colonel Moore, who was about to ride [ away, sprang down and swung her out of saddle. “Take me to him,” she said quietly, as he stood aside to let her pass. !She swayed slightly at the first step, and her legs seemed strangely stiff and heavy, but she slipped her hand through his arm and drove herself along. And so he led her, calm and dry-eyed, down the long corridor and through the ante-room to the king’s chamber, and all who met them bowed and drew back. At the threshold she halted. “Do you please bid all retire,” she said. “I woilld see my fath er alone.” And when he had done her will, he came and held open the door for her a little way, then stood at attention and raised his hand in salute; and the princess went in to her deal. Meanwhile, the Archduke Ar tnand was searching for the prin cess. The moment he had seen the king at rest in the castle, de clining al 1 escort, he had galloped away for the summer palace, first ordering that no information should be conveyed there by tele phone. It was a message for him to deliver in person, though he shrank from it. as only a man can shrink from such a duty. But he knew nothing of the cathedral bell and its tolling, an \ when, aa ° \ he neared the park, the first note broke upon him, he listened in surprise; then he grasped its meaning, and with an impreca tion, spurred the faster, racing now with a brazen clapper as to which should tell the princess first. And the sentry at the gate stared in wonder; but the officer on duty at the main entrance ran out to meet him, knowing in stantly for whom the bell was tolling and for whom the arch duke came. ‘‘Her highness is not here,” he cried. ‘‘She rode away alone by the North avenue a ahort while ago.” Make report to the castle the instant she returns,” Armaml I called, and was gone—to follow her, as he thought, oh the old forge road. ‘‘Ye Gods!” the officer ex claimed, ‘‘that was the king—-the new king!” and mechanically he clicked his heels together and sa luted. Nor did he imagine that all un wittingly he had sent his master far astray; for the princess had gone but a little way by the North avenue, and then bad cir cled over to the south gate. And so Armaml searched vain ly, until at last hearing around toward Dornlitz, he struck the main highway and learned that she had passed long since, mak ing for the capital as fast as horse could run. And lie*knew that the bell had been the mes senger, and that there was now naught for him to do but to re-' turn with all speed and give such comfort as he might. Though what to do or to say he had no idea—for never before had he been called upon to minister to a woman’s grief; and he pondered upon it with A misgiving that was at its deepest when, at length, he stood outside her door and heard her bid the servant to admit him. Hut if he looked for tears and trembling he was disappointed, for she met him as she had met those in the corridor and the ante-room, dry-eyed and calmly. And in silence he took her in his ams, and held her close, and stroked her shining lyiir. And presently she put his arms aside, and stepping back, she curtsied low and very gravely. ‘‘Life to your majesty!” she said; ‘‘long live the king!” and kissed his hands. He raised her quickly. ‘‘Nev er bend knee to me, Debra,” he said. ‘‘And believe me, 1 had quite forgot everything except that you Sad loVt your father.” She went back him. ‘‘And so had I, dear, until you came; but now, since he is gone, you are all I have—is it very selfish, then, for me to think of you so soon?” He drew her to a chair and stood looking down at her. ‘‘If it is,” he said, ‘‘I am surely not the. one to judge you.” She shook her head sadly. ‘‘There is no one to judge but— him,” she answered; ‘‘and he, I know, would give me full ap proval.” She was silent for a while, her thoughts in the dark ened room across the court, where the tapers burned dimly, ami a Captain of the Guard ko pt watch. /Bid her heart sobbed alresh, though her lips were mute and her eyes undimmed. At last she spoke. “Is the Hook of Laws at the Summer Palace or here?” she asked. “I do not know.” said Ar maml, “I have never seen it ex cept the day that the King read old Henry’s decree and offered me Hugo’s titles and estates.” “Well, at least, lie spoke of it to you to-day.’' A.niimnd shook his head. “Never a word; neither to-day nor for many days.” A faint i’ljpwn showed between her eyes. “Didn’t he mention to I you, this afternoon, the matter | of the succession?” j “No.” She sat up sharply. “It can’t be he didn’t-” The Archduke dropped on the floor at her leet anil took her hand. “1 assure you, Delira, the King didn't speak a single word to me on such a matter.” “'No, no,” she said, “you don t. understand. 1 mean it can not be lie didn’t make the de ! cree. ’ ’ “The decree!” Arniand ex | claimed, though he knew well j there was but one she would i refer to; and his pulse bounded j fiercely and his face grew very i hot. ■ “Yes, dear—the decree—that I would have made you Heir Pre jsumplive—and now King.” “And you think it was drawn?” “I am sure of it.” “The King told you so?” “Not directly, but inference. II came upon him late last night jin his library, with the Laws o open before him and a pen in hit hand; and when I ventured to voice my curiosity, he smiled and closed the book,saying, ‘You may see it to-morrow, child; after I have told Arinand.” “Doubtless lie intended to tell me after the review.” The princess leaned ove'r and put her arm around his neck. “And now you are the king, dear, as he had always infcnded you should be, ” she whispered. 1 hank God, the decree was made in time.” For a while Armand toyed with her slender fingers, and did not answer. Of course, she was right:—it was the decree they both had been hoping for so earnestly, but which neither had dared mention to the king. And now. when it had come, and in such fashion was it really worth the while. Worth the turmoil and trouble, and, may be, tha fighting, that was sure to follow his assumption of the royal dig nity. Had Frederick lived to proclaim tHe decree and to school the nation into accepting him as his successor, the way would have been easy and well assured. But it was vastly different now —with Frederick dead, the de cree yet to be announced, and few, doubtless, of those in author ity around him, to be depended on to aid him hold teh throne. Dal berg though he was, and now, by birth, the head of the house, yet lie was a foreigner, and no people take kindly to a foreign king. Frederick had difcd too soon—another year— And Debra, bending down questioning his abstraction, read his face and understood his thoughts. “Come, dear,” she said, “the crisis is here, and we must face it. Dismiss the idea that you’re a foreigner. Only you and Lot zen and I are familiar with our laws. You forget that the people do not know it required a spe cial decree to make you eligible for the crown; and to them you have been the next king ever since you were proclaimed as Hugo’s heir. And surely they have shown you a rare good will, and an amazing preference over the duke. He has spent his whole life in cultivating their dislike; do ypu fancy it won’t bring its harvest now?” lie had turned and was watch ing her with an indulgent smile. It was sweet to hear her argue so; to see her intense devotion to his cause; her passionate de sire that lie should sit in her father’s place and rule the anc ient monarchy. And at her first words, and the sight of her lov ing eyes and flushed cheeks, his doubts had vanished, and his de-. cision had been made. Yet, be cause lie liked to see her so, he led her on. “But whs-t of the nobility,” lie objector.; “in Valeria they still lead the people.’' “True,” she answered instant ly, “true; but you forget again that the nobles are sworn to maintain the laws of the Dal bergs; and that for centuries none has ever broken faith. No, noj Armed, they will be true to their oaths; they will uphold the decree.” ‘Don t you flunk, dear, lie smiled, “you are making it rath er too assured? If the people are for me (or at least are not for Lotzen, and the nobles will hide by the laws, nothing re mains but to mount the throne and seize tlit sceptre.” “Just about that, I fancy,” she replied. “And, meanwhile, what will Lotzen be doing.?” She frowned. “Whatever the head of his house orders him to do. As a Dalberg he is bound to obey.” “And you think he will obey?” “I surely do. I cannot imag ine a Dalberg dishonoring the book of laws.” “I fear you do not know Fer dinand of Lotzen,” said Armand seriously. “He intends to dis pute the succession. I have nev er told you how,- long ago, he warned me what to expect if I undertook to ‘filch the crown,’ as he put it. It was the after noon he insulted me at headquar ters—the Yierle Masque was in the evening.” Tli eprincess nodded eagerly. “Yes,” said she, “yes—I know |—the time he wanted you to toss up a coin for me. Wluit did he say?” (To He Continued Xext Week) On the day fixed for him to leave the home he had occupied for 35 years, tile Ttev. Alfred Rudall, the pastor of S3t. Agnes' church. Cornwall. England, fell dead. He was 82 years old. It ls stated that his emotion was very deeply stirred because his retirement necessitated leaving the parish where he had labored so lon.j. A statue of General Stefanlk, first Or echo-Slovak minister o' war, has ar ch In Hamburg and Is awaiting trans portation to the United States. It will be erected in Cleveland at the expena* of a wealth)' Czech born cittzan. Fate Takes a Hand. Life las many embarrassing mo ments. but ibis was truly a dreadful one. I was a senior in a large uni versity, and hii^Jiad a romance with a prominent classmate. 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