Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury [Connecticut]) 1903-1917, 1908-04-11
tNS,
;cHApTEp SEVENTEEN
la.t,
EOPOLD thought it rather more

ious to wriggle out of
his proposal to visit the princes hunt
ing lodge as he had been to have it
accepted a 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
~ 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, aud figure in long gray
coat, with its face Swallowed by a
SLOUGH hat, was conspicuous.
The emperor had expected to see that
figure, but vaguely he wished there
were not SO much briskness and self
confidence In the set of the massive
head and shoulders. The young man
believed absolutely in his love, but he
would have been gratffied to detect a
something of depression in the enc
my's air which he might translate as
foreknowledge of failure.
II hope your majesty will forgive
the liberty have taken in coming to
the station without distinct invita-
ton to do So" We're the chancellor's
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
hat l might be ON hand without fail
when you arrived to place my electric
carriage at your service. l thought 1t
probable that you would not have sent
TO the palace and therefore it might
save you some slight Inconvenience II
were on the spot. If 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
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
neompt response. Now for the hunt.
ing lodge In the woods. am ready to
go with you there, as always have
been and always shall be ready to
serve you when ! am needed
1t was on Leopold's tongue to say
that II would be well IL his chancellor's
readiness could be confined to those
occasions when II was needed, but he
shut his lips upon the words and walk.
ed by the old mans side in frozen ST.
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 chancellor's 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.
The weather. still warm the evening
before-that evening Of moonlight NOT
10 be forgotten-had turned cold with
morning. and tonight there was
pungent scent of dying leaves in the |
air. IL smote Leopold In the face witk
the wind OF motion. and It seemed 10 /
him the essential perfume OF sadness. |
Never again would he inhale that fra. |
GRANGE Of the failing year without re
calling this hour.
He was half mad with Impotence to |
reach the end OF the journey and con- |
found the chancellor once for all. yet /
as the swift electric carriage spun 4
smoothly along the white road and 4
landmark after landmark vanished be- 4
hind tree branches laced with stars 4
something within him would at last /
have stayed the flying moments had 4
that been possible. He burned to ask
questions Of Won BreItstein. yet would
have died rather than utter them.
II was a relief TO the emperor when
after a long silence bis companion
spoke. though a relief which carried
with Il a prick of resentment Even
the chancellor had no right to speak
first without permission from his sov-
ereign.
Forgive ma. your majesty" the Old
man said. Your anger Is hard 60 bear.
jet bear Il OVERWHELMINGLY because
q ms confidence that the reward is
not far on. I look for II no further IN
the future than fonight-
4. toe. believe that you won't miss
your reward returned the emperor
sharply.
4 shall have Il. I am SURE. not only
In your m1JeSty-s forgiveness. but in
yogr thanks
III forgive ron when you've asked
my pardon for your suspicious and
when you've fosni Miss Movbrzy for
ne-
Il have already found her and am
taking you to her now
Then yoa aefu.Iiy believe in your