Golden Valley chronicle. (Beach, Billings County, N.D.) 1905-1916, 1908-11-13
to be nqu1sluve: retuFned Leopold

6OVO VI ANudcIAd Mdy uuHS o4CeeUou
my instructions. My one excuse is
that I believed your mind to be def
pitely made up. I still believe 1t to be
80. 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 a
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 1t.
There's some one else"-
ut is of that some one else would
venture to speak, your majesty. Cos
sip has named her. May 1?'
''I'll save you the trouble, for I'm
not ashamed that the common fate
has overtaken Uncommon because
every man loves once before he dies,
and yet uncommon because no man
ever loved woman so worthy. Chan
cellor, there's no woman in the world
like Miss Helen Mowbray. the lady to
whom owe my life."
"It's natural you should be CRATE
full. your majesty, butt
cts natural should be In love-"
Natural that a young man inex-
perienced in affairs Of the heart should
mistake warm gratitude for love. Inn
possible that the mistake should be al
lowed to continue"
Leopold's eyes grew dark. I'm such
a connection" he said, 1T 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 grow hard Of hearing"
Eat least you will never grow slow
Of understanding. l did speak of my
intentions toward Miss Mowbray."'
"You would give the lady some mag
niicent estate. some splendid acknowl-
edgment''-
"Whether splendid or not would be a
matter of opinion" laughed the EN-.
peror. II shall offer her a 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 a way
he had, but he lifted his head sudden.
ly. with look in his eyes like that Of
an animal who scents danger from an
unexpected quarter.
'Your majesty" he exclaimed, ''you
are your fathers son, you are Rhae-
tian, and your standard of honor
II hope to marry Miss Mowbray,"
Leopold cut him short.
The chancellor's jaw dropped, and he
grew pale. 81 had dreamed of nothing
as bad as this" he blurted out, with
no thought or wish to sugar the truth.
II feared young mans rashness. l
dreaded scandal. But. forgive me. your
majesty. For you a morganatic mar
riage would be Madness
"a morganatic marriage did think
Of at first, but on second thoughts l
saw 1t would be ungrateful."
"Ah, yes, to the country which ex-
poets so much Of you.''
"No, to the woman who has the
right to all or nothing. will make her
empress of Rhaetia."
With a cry the chancellor sprang up.
His eyes glared like the eyes Of bull
who receives the death stroke. His
working lips and the hollow sound in
his throat alarmed the emperor.
mo. your majesty. nor he painted.
"But say yes" Leopold answered,
"and let no man give me nay. I've
thought it all out. I will make her q
countess first. Then she shall be made
my empress"
''Your majesty. it is not possible"
"Take care. chancellor"
"She has been deceiving you. She
has neither the birth. the position nor
the name she claims to have, and I
can prove it."
"You are mad, Won Breitstein." the
emperor flung at him. "That can be
your only excuse for such words"
II am not mad. but I am old and
wise. your majesty. Today you have
made me feel that am very old.
Punish me as you will for my frank
ness My work for you and yours is
nearly done. Cheerfully will l sub.
NIT to my dismissal If only this last
effort In your service may save the
ship Of state from wreck. would
not make an accusation which could
not prove. And can prove that the
two English ladiea -Kho-baYes been