Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-05-26


found himself recalling a fairy story
which lie had never tired of reading in
his childhood. Under the disguise Of
fancy it WAS lesson against vacilla-
tion, and he had often said to himself
as boy that when he grew up he
would not, like the prince Of the story,
miss a gift of the gods through weak
hesitation.
The pretty legend in his mind had
for hero young prince who went
abroad to seek his fortune and receiv-
ed from one of the fates to whom he
paid visit three magic citrons, which
he must cut open by the side Of GER
tain fountain. He Obeyed his instruc-
tions, but when from the first citron
sprang an exquisite fairy maiden, de-
! manding drink Of water, the young
man lost his presence Of mind. While
he sat staring the lovely lady van
ished, and with second experiment 1t
was the same. Only the third citron
remained of the fate's squandered
gifts, and when the prince cut it In
half the maiden who appeared was so
much more beautiful than her sisters
that in adOring wonder he almost lost
her rs he had lost the others.
"My knife is on the rind Of the last
citron nOw," Leopold said to himself.
LET me not lose the one chance l have
left"
Last night he had believed that there
would not be room in mans heart
for more love than his held for Helen
Mowbray; but. realizing to the full
how great was the danger Of losing
her, he found that his love had grown
beyond reckoning.
He had thought it sacrifice to sug
gest mOrganatic marriage. Now a
voice seemed to say in his ear: "The
price you offered was not enough. Is
love worth all to you or not?' And he
answered. 1T is worth all. / will offer
oil, yet not count it a sacrifice. That Is
love, and nothing less is love-
A white light broke before his eyes
like n meteor bursting. and the voice
in his ear spoke words that sent Il
flame through his veins.
81 will do It." he said. "Who Is
there among my people who will dare
say No to their emperor's Yes?
will make Il new law. l will be Il law
unto myself"
His face, that had been pale, was
flushed. He tore up the unfinished
telegram and wrote another, which he
signed LEO, the Chamois Hunter"
Then, when he had handed IN the
message and paid. there was but jest
time to buy his ticket. engage whole
first class compartment for himself
and dash into 1t before his train was
due to start.
As it moved slowly out Of the big
station Leopold's brain rang with the
noble music Of his great resolve. He
gould see nothing. think of nothing,
lut that His arms ached to clasp his
love. His lips. cheated last night. al.
ready felt her kisses, for she would
give them now, and she would give
herself. He was treading the past OF
nm empire underfoot in the hope OF
future with her, and every throb OF
the engine was taking him nearer to
the threshold Of that future.
But such moments Of supreme eX-
Rltation come rarely in lifetime. The
heart Of man or woman could not beat
Oh for long with such wild music for
accompaniment. and so 1t was that rs
the moments passed the song of the
elnperor's blood fell to minor key.
He thought passionately Of Virginia.
but he thought of his country as well
and tried to weigh the effect upon 9th
ars of the thing that he was prepared
to do. There was no one on earth
whom Leopold Of Rhaetia need fear.
but there was one to whom he owed
much. one whom 1t would be grievous
to offend.
In his fathers day one man, old
even then, had built upon the founda-
tlons Of a tragic past great and pros
DSTOuS nutlOu. ulS hut pSSh ~
Leopold what his father had never
been and, without the magic power of
inspiring warm affection. had instilled
respect and gratitude In the breast Of
an enthusiastic boy.
"Poor old Won Breitstein!" the EN-
peror sighed. 1.-The country Is his idol
the country with all the old tradi-
tions. He'll feel this break sorely. I'd
spare him If could. But l can't live
my life for him."
He sighed again and looked up.
frowning, ut sudden sound which
meant intrusion.
Like spirit called from the deep,
there stood the chancellor at the door
between Leopolds compartment and
Pho ono adjoining