Daily camera., 1901-06-08
THE LOVE OF THE
i HRCHDUCHESO y
BY George II. Howard.
No., =, - Z
Copyright, isgi, b Azlhors syndies;eJ

THE darkness was creeping over the
forest rs the duchess finished her
gallop. and now she had checked her
tired horse and was yiGiug slowly.
meditating the while. The horse drew
up before the old hunting chalet and
began to crop some grass to its liking.
The duchess made no effort TO restrain
him.
II wish-I actually wish that might
find love" she told herself in n whis-
per. what is the use of having all
that have IL there is no one to share
it with me? l have had suitors in
plenty, but no love. No one that |
might love"
Suddenly there came burst Of mel
ody from the hunting chalet. Some
one WAS singing; it was a mans voice,
rich baritone. 1t sang of love and
OF happiness.
Count Otto of Mehrenburgl" she
cried. "I know it. He had nothing
good but his voice when he went
away" Then her own sweet voice
joined in the song. Then the man in
the chalet came out.
81 thought heard woman's voice"
he said. wondering. He was a medium
sized man, with fair face and brown,
clustering hair. The archduches lid
not recollect the face as well as the
voice. Her memory was only for things
that were beautiful.
"Are you Otto of Mehrenburg?" she
asked. lie turned and saw her.
MY little archduchess," he said,
softly.
Welcome hack to Barthuria, Count
Otto" she said, sweetly. And accept
compliment from me. You have
changed so much for the better that
| would not have known you had it
not been for your voice. That wonder
ful voice of yours"
at is all that have except my title"
he said. "And will soon be my sole
means of subsistence" A flash of
lightning lit up the grove, making his
sad face pathetic.
what do you mean Otto?" she said,
anu tHc iHuuuci accompanied HeI
speech.
"Come into, the chalet" he said. at
has begun to rain. 1t cannot last for
any time. I will tell you then if you
care to hear"
"Very WELL" she assented, dismount-
ing and giving her horse into his
hands. He led it into the gloomy old
place and then took off the bride.
1--WE had better go upstairs. 1t is
not so damp as this floor" He led
the way up the steps and into a room
on the hail. Here he sat, the bride
down in the middle of the room, and
motioned for her to be seated.
"Tell me what was it that you said
about being the only thing that you
possessed?" she asked.
II am going on the stage in Eng
land, beginning with the autumn. I
have had profitable offer, which l
cannot refuse. When left Barthuria,
mere lad, to learn military tactics at
Woolwich, so that might one day be
Il great officer, l did not think that
mere defect of money could so hinder
my plans. You know the story. Be-
fore l had been at Woolwich for
year my father was dead; before the
next year my brother had run through
the estate, committed suicide and left
me without pfennig to call my own.
In that trouble q little Bavarian by
the name of Schults heard me sing
To-, of 10 fnr
the stage if would sign a bill prom
ising to pay him half my receipts for
the first year. l did so. That is -four
years ago. Now am ready to enter
my profession"
"But, Otto-you Mehrenburg-one
of the noblest in the land-become
singer-oh, Otto!"
"Must repeat the well-worn plati.
tude about nothing being without hon
or that is honest?" he asked, smiling
81 know, Otto-and admire your
bravery in taking such course. Many
man would have striven to live
around my court as hanger-on, de-
pending for his living ON cards and the
fact that his family name had once
been great. But you"
"It has stopped raining, Duchess
he said. "Shall escort you to the
castle?"
"If you will" she answered. Come
The cracking of the brush could
be heard distinctly in the wood
"What is that?" asked the duchess.
II do not know" he answered, peer
ing cut of the window. Then he caught
sight Of q brilliant uniform in green