Oxford Democrat., 1908-06-16

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daunted. He knew very well now that
this was only prelude to the drama
which would follow, and, though he
had suffered sharp pang of anxiety
ut first. he saw that his royal friend
was playing with commendable real
ism. Naturally when beautiful young
actresses ventured into the forest un-
chapc"oned to dine with fascinating
princes the least that such favored
gentlemen could do was to be mot at
home" TO an intrusive public.
"you are mistaken" insisted the
chancellor. His royal highness Is at
home and will receive us. 1t will be
better for you to admit us without fur
ther delay"
Under the domination Of those eyes,
which could Quell Il turbulent reichstag.
the jager weakened. as his master had
doubtless expected him to do after the
first resistance.
1T may be | have made mistake,
SIR" he Stammered, Though l do not
think so. If you will have the kind
ness to walk in and wait for a few
minutes until can inquire whether his
royal highness has come home or will
come home
THAT is not necessary" said the
chancellor. His royal highness dimes
here this evening. We will go with
you to the door Of the dining room,
which you will open for us and an
nounce that two gentlemen wish to see
him"
With this all uncertainty in the mind
of the jaeger was swept away. He
knew his duty and determined to stand
by it. and the chancellor saw that II
the master had given Instructions
meaning them to be overridden at
least the servant was sincere. He put
himself in the doorway and looked an
obstacle difficult to dislodge.
"That is Impossible. sir!" he exclaim-
I'll. Il have had my orders, which are
that his ROYAL highness Is not at home
tonight. auG until know whether or
not t!ecc orders are 70 stand nobody,
not if it were the emperor, should force
his rav."
ron. lnoSe or,.er, are not for us,
and il is the emperor who will go in"
With step aside the chancellor let
the light from the hanging lamp in
the hall shine full upon Leopold's face,
hitherto masked i'm shadow
His Least forgotten. the jaeger utter
ed cry of dismay, and, with sudden
failing of the knees, he moved and left
the doorway free.
"Your majestyr he faltered. II did
not see-I could not know. Most hum
bly, beg your majesty's gracious par
don. II your majesty will but hold
me blameless with my MASTER
Never mind yourself, and never
mind your MASTER" broke in the chan
cellor. "Open that door at the end OF
the hall and announce the emperor
and Count Won Breitstein."
The unfortunate jaeger, approaching
a state Of collapse, obeyed. The door
Of the dining. room, which Leopold
knew of old. was thrown open. and
quavering voice heralded "His imperial
majesty the emperor and the Herr
Chancellor Count Won Breitstein."
The scene disclosed was as unreal
to Leopold's eyes as a painted picture
the walls Of pompeiian red, the gold
candelabra, the polished floor spread
with the gllmmering fur of polar bears
and in the center a flower decked ta-
BILE lit with pink shaded lights and
sparkling with gold and crystal;
springing up from chair which faced
the door. young man in evening
dress; sitting motionless, her back half
turned, slender girl in bridal white.
At sight Of her the emperor stopped
on the threshold. All the blood In his
body seemed rushing to his head, then
surging back upon his heart.
The impossible had happened.