The Holly chieftain., 1902-05-16
cHAprEK XIV.

l
CHAPrEK XIV.
Dead to the World.
Paul hastened to give Karl cordial
welcome. asking what on earth had
brought him to Berlin.
"Ah!" returned Karl, there ia news,
great news, though Berlin does mot
seem to know 1t yet. Louis Napoleon
has declared war on Germany"
Paul held his breath and stared hard
'Then it is war. He has had the rash
ness to take the fatal step which will
result in his ruin"
| Paul wondered how the sudden news
would affect his own mission to the
capital.
Could he now gain an interview with
the prince? That commander would
have his time fully occupied. Paul
knew. still he hoped for the best.
Then something in karl's manner
struck Paul. as strained, and he
anxiously inquired II he had brought
bad news from Heidelberg.
The truth you must know at once,
no matter how 1t cuts. Heroic meas
ures are best. Prepare, then, for a
shock, my friend. Some one you be-
lieved dead has appeared on the
scene.'
Who is it," asked Paul, slowly.
"One who, IL she be all you have
believed, would have done better to
have remained dead to the world at
least"
Paul started as If struck wicked
blow. "My God! Do you mean-my
mother?"
His companion slowly nodded his
faxen head.
"Alive-and 1 fondly believed the
grave had forever buried her sad secret.
Alive. and she has returned to Bea-
Irix?"
Paul dropped his head into his hand
wearily. and seemed to be wrapped in
deep thought
One. two. three minutes crept by,
and Karl made no attempt to break
In upon his sad reflections. At length
Paul raised his head.
II am ready to hear what you know
Karl. although can perceive that 1t is
far from pleasant news. Make 1t az
brief as you possibly can, consistent
with the facts"
THAT will, and want you to
know. dear friend and brother, that
l suffer with you.
When / had seen you on on the
train found my way to the stage Of
Beatrix and the lady with whom she
lived. speedily found way to gain
an entrance to the parlor. where pres
emily Beatrix came with tears In her
pretty eyes, to tell me of the strange
thing that had happened-and to say
farewell.
THAT very evening one had come
whom she had for years believed dead
come to her from Paris in the dark
robes Of nun, and in whom she rec
ognized her once dearly loved mother.
who had learned that you were in Eu-
rope, doubtless seeking your sister
with the intention Of taking her away,
and this she seemed to dread. So
they were making hasty preparations
to 60 at once to Paris"
Paul ground his teeth. s5
How wretchedly unfortunate-to
EbIlS. Ol 0l pihCcnp WHO'LL III lew
months. the forces Of King Wilhelm
will be hammering ut the gates. II
had but been there to have prevented
It."
II doubt whether you could. ~ Be-
atrix ID not yet OF legal ags and still
amenable to her mothers rule" E
Again Paul seemed to stars into
vacancy.
He was thinking Of the past, think
ing Of that dearly beloved father who
had suffered 70 ksenly tnrough this one
fatal fAult Of the woman who had
borne his name and bssn the mother
,of his children. That father had
borne his cross in silence and never
had Paul heard hims curss the fate
that made him An exile from his peo-
pie.
What was his duty1
CHAPrE8 xv.
eince woman who sinnsd were for
.. q.