Evening star., 1903-09-12
On the Sea Alp-autumn.

OH Tic 0cd AIp-autuKnH.
still sleep so poorly that spend a great
part OF the night in roaming around. So
have learned the way of the machinery.
The kings house Is Illuminated brilliantly
all night long. Wax candles burn in every
room. The shades are down. and see
shadows on them. as Il the king, too. had
peaceless nights. Last night 1 thought
that heard a voice there. A cry. like
stif1ed scream followed. I was about
to rush to the house. but in the next mo-
ment everything was silent again and at
the same time I remembered that 1t was
strictly forbidden to approach the side OF
the house on which the kings rooms are. :.
Today at dinner the king told US of his
former visits to the Sea-Alp. In those
days he hated game drives. but hunted the
chamois all alone He was a Jealous hunter
Of eagles. too. and often lowered him
self by ropes to find nest. He said that
he had enjoyed his happiest times on the
Sea-Alp. He said 1t with laugh. 1t was
a terrible laugh. :.
have just returned from walk with
the king. 1t was the first time that we
went out together. For the first time in my
life was alone with my father; for neither
the privy councillor nor the adJutant ac-
companied US.
We went over the mountain slope. and
climbed upward on the path that finally
leads to the White Emperor meadow. 1t
Is SO steep and, in places, so close to
chasms. that l cannot understand how
herds can be driven up and down.
The king was ahead of me. At last he
stood still. looked around and said:
up this way lies the White Emperor
meadow. That is a magnificent place.
Have you been up theref
II was different when I was young. 1t is
q new generation now. weak and worn out
And then they say we old ones are the
weary and crumbling ones. You young ones
With every word the little. deep wrinkle
seemed to grow deeper. l did not reply
We climbed higher. Again the king paus-
ed and again he spoke:
LAS crown prince 1 was overtaken In this
region by snow storm. l had to hang to
yonder rock in order not to be blown into
the depths. My huntsman could not help
me. The man had lost his way and wander
ed In vain seeking me. Hours passed, the
storm did not cease. night came. My arms
became lame, cramp seized my BODY, L felt
that l would have to let go. But l willed
that should not die. For l wished to be-
come king. / willed It'll Hour after hour
passed: but held fast. 1 tell you. no tenn
pest can hurl you. into an abyss when over
your head their hangs q CROWN
He paused looked at me with the look or
the king and coneudedi
mot till morning did the storm moderate.
1t had splintered rocks and uprooted giant
trees My people thought me lost. But I
lived! For ten hours ! had hung to the
rock. During those ten hours had learned
what a mans will-what a kings will can
do. 1t is stronger than death. But only
when crown hangs over a mans head.
At the next pause my father said!
"On this path beautiful young girl met
me one day. She was a forester's daughter
and she tended flock on the Alp up there.
You cannot imagine how beautiful she was.
An Alpine lilyl She did not know me and
we chatted. I wish knew what has be-
come of her." III ..
1 could have told his majesty that.
We had scarcely marched ten minutes
more when some one approached. ! recog-
nized him from afar, and was so frightened
that had to stop and catch my breath. 1t
was Loisl. He was coming from the Alp.
where his sweetheart was. I had thought
that they had sent him far away. and now
he was here, here OF all places
The king went forward again. They met.
He did not see me at all. He saw only
the king. Fixing his gaze rigidly on the
kings face, he approached.
The king stood still. and the other stood
still, not taking his eyes from my father.
Then suddenly he stepped aside. still with
out removing his gaze. he let the king pass
We had walked on only short distance
when my father spoke to me with a hoarse
voice. His face was pale.
did you notice 1t, too2"
1.-The fellow has the eyes OF murderer
Who is her
"a huntsman."
The king repeated. half aloud: He has
murderer's eyes!
That moment girl appeared on jutting
rock She was young. magnificent. her
plated blonde hair lying around her fore
head like a heavy golden band. Without
noticing u.s. she cried farewell TO her
sweetheart.
Then. sweeping US with careless glance,
she disappeared.
Ny attention had been momentarily dis.
tracted from the king When looked at
him / was terrified. His countenance was
distorted his breath came painfully. I ran
to him and asked what was the matter. He
did not reply. 1 begged him to sit down
and rest He did not reply. 1 cried aloud
to him to recall him to himself. He did not
seem even to hear me- The first sound that
came from him was low, hoarse giggle
Just SO horribly had he laughed the other
day when he told us of the 'happiest" time
of his life.
Now l know that the land needs regent
(To be continued)