The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1908-05-08

since waste is sinful.
was one Of the maxims by which the
chancellor guided his own actions
though be did not give it away for the
benefit of others. aid he had made the
most of that prudent policy today.
He had told his emperor no lies. ever
through the telephone. where forget
fulness may be pardonabe. but be had
arranged his truths as s!lillfully as he
arranged his pawns on chessboard.
1t was said br some who pretended
to know that Count von Breitstein had
had Jesuit for tutor; but, be this
~, it might. it was certain that when
b.. had goal to reach he did not pick
Ills, footsteps by the way a flower
here or there was apt to be trodden
down. small life broken. q reputa-
ton stained, but what Of that when
Rhaetia's standard was to be planted
upon the mountain top?
Supposing he had said to the EN-
peror after his promise Of plain speak
ing: Your majesty's journey today is
Z, wild goose chase. / happen to know
sthaG those you seek are still at their
hotel in Kronburg. When heard from
my brother Egon that they were leav-
ing Schloss Lyndalberg suddenly and
secretly went Immediately to Kron-
burg and called upon the ladies' Ny
intention was to frighten them away
by telling them that the fraud was
found out and they had better disap-
pear decently of their own accord un:
less they wished to be assisted over the
frontier. They actually dared refuse
to see me, alleging as an excuse the
sudden illness Of their companion.
which had prevented their leaving
Kronburg, as they intended. While Twas
awaiting this answer learned that
some person was telegraphing from
the railway station to the hotel man
ager inquiring if the Mowbrays had
gone. ! guessed this person to be your
majesty and ventured to use my in
fluence strongly with the manager, so
successfully that l was permitted TO
dictate the reply and obtain his prom
Use that the matter should be strictly
confidential. l judged that your maj
esty had meant to take the Orient eX
press, but had missed it. and. as you
telephoned from the station, I had 40
doubt that you intended to follow
either by the next train or by special.
Soon I learned that no special had been
time Of the next train and sought your
majesty in it. Had my eloquence then
prevailed with you should have urged
your return with me. and thus you
would have been spared the useless
Journey to Felgarde. AS you remained
obstinately faithful. however. ] con-
sidered myself fortunate to have you
out of the way. so that could hurry
back. and. unhampered by your slIs-
picionS, set about learning still more
facts to Miss Mowbray's discredit or
inventing a few if those which un-
doubtedly existed could not be unearth-
ed in time"
Supposing that Count Won Brett
STEMS boasted frankuess had led lin
to make these statements, it is proba-
bic that Rhaetia would not long have
rejoiced in a chancellor so wise and SO
self sacrificing.
1t was we'll enough for the old man
to declare bis willingness to retire il
his master desired it. but he had count
ed. as people who risk all for great
ends do count. on not being taken at
his word He loved power because he
had always had it. and without power
life would not be worth the living
but it was honestly for the country's
sake and for Leopold's sake rather
than his own that he desired to hold
and keep his high position. Without
his strong hand to seize the helm
should Leopold's fail for some careless
instant he conscicntiously believed that
the ship Of state would be lost.
He had done his best to disillusion
a. young man tricled into love for an
adventures. Now neither as chancel-
lor nor friend could he make further
open protest unless favored by fate
with some striking new development.
There were nevertheless other ways
of working, and he had but taken the
first step toward interference. He
meant. since worse had come to worst,
to go on relcntlessly, and lie would
hardly have considered it criminal to
destroy woman Of the type to which
he assigned Helen Mowbray. provided
no means less stringent sufiiced to
snatch her from the throne OF Rhaetia.
There were many plans seethlng III
the chancellor's head, and Egon's help
might be necessary. He might even
have to go so far as to bribe Eson to
kiduap the girl and sacrifice himself
by marrying her out Of hand before
she had q chance to learn that the
emperor was ready to meet her de-
mands. Egon had been attentive to
Miss Mowbray. 1t might we'll be be
lieved even by the emperor that the
5oung man had been madly enough i'll
love to act upon his own initiative. un-
Influenced by his brother.
The chancellors first act on parting
with Leopold was to telegraph Captain
yon Breitsteln to meet the train by
which he would return to Kronburg
Therefore on arriving at the station he
was not surprised to see Egon's hand
some face prominent among others less
attractive on the crowded platform.
"Well" questioned the young man
as tho old man descended