Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-06-09

ious to wriggle out OF
his proposal to visit the princes hunt
Ing lodge as he had been to have 1t
accepted few hours before.
"He shan't escape his humiliation,
though" the emperor told himself.
"He shall go, and he shall beg forgive
ness for his suspicious in sackcloth
and ashes. Nothing else can satisfy
me now"
Thinking thus, Leopold looked sharp
ly from the window as his special
slowed into the central station at
Kronburg along the track which had
been kept clear for its arrival. No
other train was due at the moment;
therefore few persons were on the
platform, and figure in long gray
coat, with its face shadowed by a
slouch hat, was conspicuous.
The emperor had expected to see that
figure, but vaguely he wished there
were not so much briskness and sell
confidence in the set of the massive
head and shoulders. The young man
believed absolutely in his love, but he
would have been gratified to detect a
something Of depression in the ene-
my's air which he might translate as
foreknowledge Of failure.
Il hope your majesty Will forgive
the liberty l have taken in coming TO
the station without distinct invita-
ton to do so," were the chancellors
first words as he met the emperor
"Knowing that you would almost GER
tainly arrive by special train. came
down from my house some time ago
that I might be on hand without fail
when you arrived to place my electric
carriage at your service. l thought IL
probable that you would not have sent
to the palace and therefore 1t might
save you some slight Inconvenience If
1 were on the spot. II you Will honor
my poor conveyance
Don't let us delay our business for
explanations or compliments, If you
please, chancellor" The emperor cut
him short brusquely. II counted on
your being here with your carriage
Now for the hunting lodge In the
woods"
AS he spoke his eyes were on the old
mans face, which he hoped to see fall
or change, but there was no visible
sign Of discontinue, and Won Brett
stein made no attempt to excuse him
self from making the proposed visit
Evidently nothing had happened dur
Ing the hours since the message by tele
phone to change the chancellor's mind
"Yes, your majesty" came the
prompt response. Now for the hunt
ing lodge in the woods. am ready tC
go with you there, as l always have
been and always shall be ready tc
serve you when am needed"
1t was on Leopold's tongue to say
that It would be we'll II his chancellor's
readiness could be confined to those
occasions when it was needed, but he
shut his lips upon the words and walk
ed by the old mans side in frozen 81
lence.
The carriage was waiting just out
side the station. and the moment the
two men were seated the chauffeur
started noiselessly and swiftly.
} Both windows were closed to keep
out the chill of the night air, but soon
Leopold impatiently lowered one, for
getting the chancellors old fashioned
hatred Of drafts, and stared into the
night. Already they were approach
ing the outskirts Of the great town
and, flying past the dark warehouses
and factories of the neighborhood, they
sped toward the open country.
J The weather, still warm the evening
before-that evening Of moonlight not
to be forgotten-had turned cold with
: morning, and tonight there was O
pungent scent Of dying leaves in the
air. 1t smote Leopold in the face with
the wind Of motion, and 1t seemed to
him the essential perfume Of sadness
| Never again would he inhale that fra
GRANGE of the falling year without re
calling this hour.
, He was half mad with impatience te
reach the end of the journey and con
r found the chancellor once for all, ye,
! as the swift electric carriage spur
t smoothly along the white road and
landmark after landmark vanished be
t hind tree branches laced with starr
, something within him would at last
J have stayed the flying moments had
that been possible. He burned to ash
, questions Of Won Breitstein, yet would
|, have died rather than utter them.
II 1t was q relief to the emperor wher
after a long silence his companion
, | smoke. though q relief which carried