The Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1903-1909, 1908-05-30

(Which perhaps he did. but not tn
whole TRUTH
"Your raise my curiosity" said Leo
pold.
''Then have ! your indulgence Il
speak frankly not entirely as a humble
subject to his emperor. but as an ole
man to young man."
| I'D have you speak as a friend,
said Leopold. But a slight constrain,
hardened his voice as be prepared him
self for something disagreeable.
i've had letter from the crown
prince OF Hungaria. It has come to bis
ears that there Is certain reason fol-
your majesty's delay In following up
the first overtures for an alliance with
his family. Malicious tongues have
whispered that your majesty's atten-
lions are otherwise engaged, and the
young Adalbert has addressed me In q
friendly way. begging that the rumor
may be contradicted or confirmed"
I'm not sure that negotiations had
gone far enough to give him the right
TO be inquisitive." returned Leopold,
flushing.
The chancellor spread out his old
veined hands In gesture of appeal
Il fear" he said, that In my anxiety
for your majesty's welfare and the
good Of Rhaetia / may have exceeded
my instructions. Ny one excuse is
that ] believed your mind to be def
nitely made up. l still believe 1t to be
30. l would listen to no one who
should try to persuade me of the con-
trary, and will write Adalbert"-
"You must get yourself and me out
Of the scrape as best, you can, since
you admit you got us into It," broke In
the emperor, with an uneasy laugh.
IF Princess Virginia Of Baumenberg-
Drippe is as charming as she is said to
be, her difficulty will be In choosing
husband, not In getting one. For once,
my dear chancellor, gossip has told
the truth, and wouldn't pay the
princess so poor compliment as to
ask for her hand when I've no heart
left to give her in exchange for IT.
There's some one else
at Is Of that some one else I would
venture to speak, your majesty. Cos
sip has named her. May II"
I'm save you the trouble, for I'm
not ashamed that the common fate
has overtaken me-common because
every man loves once before he dies,
and yet uncommon because no man
ever loved a woman so worthy. Chan
cellor, there's no woman In the world
like Miss Helen Mowbray, the lady to
whom owe my life."
ITS natural you should be CRATE
full, your majesty, but
'fIt's natural I should be In love"
Natural that a young man mex
perienced In affairs of the heart should |
mistake warm gratitude for love, i'm.
possible that the mistake should be al |
lowed to continue"
Le0pold's eyes grew dark. '.In such |
4 connection" he said, at would be
better not to mention the word mis-
take I'm glad you are here, for now
you can learn from me my intentions
toward that lady"
Intentions, did you say, your majes-
ty? fear I grow hard Of hearing"
Eat least you will never grow slow
Of understanding. I did speak Of my
toward Miss Mowbray."
"You would give the lady some mag
nificent estste, some splendid acknowl.
edgment''-
Whether splendid or not would be
matter of opinion" laughed the EN-.
peror. II shall offer her present OF
myself"
The old man had been sitting with
his chin sunk into his short neck, peer.
ing out from under his brows In way
10 had. but he lifted his head sudden.
y, with look in his eyes like that Of
In animal who scents danger from an
quarter.
"Your majesty" he exclaimed. you
ire your fathers son, you are Rhae.
ian, and your standard of honor
II hope to marry Miss Mowbray,"
leopold cut him short.
The chancellor's jaw dropped, and he
rev pale. II had dreamed Of nothing
Is bad AZ this" he blurted out, with
10 thought or wish to sugar the truth.
I feared young mans rashness. ]
lreaded scandal. But forgive me, your
majesty. For you q morganatic mar
iage would be Madness
"A morganatic marriage l did think
4 at FIRST, but on second thoughts
aw. 1t would be ungrateful."
"Ah, yes, to the country which ex.
'ects so much Of you"
NO, to the woman who has the
light to all or nothing. l will make her
IMPRESS Of Rhaetia."
With q cry the chancellor sprang up.
Ills eyes g!ared like the eyes Of a bull
rho receives the death stroke. His
vorking lips and the hollow sound in
is throat alarmed the emperor.
mo, your majesty, nor he painted.
But l say yes" Leopold answered,
and let no man give me nay. I've
hought It al out. will make her
ountess nrst. Then she shall be made
ny empress"
Your majesty, It Is not possible"
Take care, chancellor" 4