The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1908-08-19

ne, ncr ulInCulty VIII De In choosing a
husband, not in getting one. For once,
my dear chancellor, gossip has told
the truth, and I wouldn't pay the
princess SO poor n compliment as to
ask for her hand when I've no heart
left to give her I'm exchange for 1t.
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 III
"lll save you tho 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 n woman so worthy. Chan.
ccllor. there's no woman In the world
like Miss Helen Mowbray. the lady to
whom I w my life"
Its natural you should be CRATE
full, your majesty, but
ITS natural / should he In love"
Natural that Il young man mex
~pcricnced In affairs of the heart should
mistake warm gratitude for love, i'm.
possible that the mistake should be al
lowed to continue"
Ieopold's eyes grew dark. "In such
n 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 L grow hard OF hearing"
AT least you will never grow slow
of understanding. I did speak Of my
intentions toward Miss Mowbray."
"YOu would give the lady some mag.
niicent estate, some splendid acknowl.
~cdgment"-
whether splendid or not would DO q
matter Of opinion" laughed tho en-
peror. 81 shall offer her a present Of
myself"
The old man had been sitting with
ing out from under his brows in a way
he had. but he lifted his head sudden.
ly, with a look In his eyes like thai 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
81 hope to marry Miss Mowbray,"
Leopold cut him short.
The chancellor's jaw dropped, and he
grew pale. al had dreamed OF nothing
as bad as this" he Dlurted out, with
no thought or wish to sugar the truth.
81 feared a young mans rashness.
scandal. But. forgive me, your
majesty. For you n ~morganatic mar
riage wOuh be madness"-
"a m~organatic marriage. I did think
of at first. but on second thoughts
1t would be ungrateful."
"Ah, yes, to the country which ex-
poets SO much OF you"
mo, to the woman who has the
right to all or nothing. I will make her
OF Rhaetia."
With a cry the chancellor spranR ND.
His eyes glared like the eyes Of q bull
who receives the death stroke. His
working lips and the hollow sound In
his throat alarmed the emperor.
NO. your majesty, no." he painted.
But | say yes" Leopold answered,
and let no man give me nay. I've
thought 1T all out, 1 will make her a
first. Then she shall be made
my empress"
your majesty, 1t is not possible"
"Take care, chancellor"
She has been deceiving you. She
has neither the birth, the position MOI
the name she claims to have, and I
can prove It,"
you are mad, Won Breitstein," the
emperor flung at him. "That car q
your only excuse for such words"
Il am not mad, but I am old and
wise, your majesty. Today you have
made me feel that I am very old.
Punish me rs o will for my frank-
ness, My work for you and yours A
nearly done. Cheerfully will sub.
NIT to my dismissal IL only this last
effort In your service may save the
ship of state from wreck. I would
make an accusation which I could
prove. And I can prove that the
two English ladies who have been
staying at Schloss Lyndalberg are not
the persons they pretend to be-"
WHO has been lying to your" cried
Leopold, who held between .clinched
hands the temper he vowed not to lose
with this old man.
ITO me, no one. To your matesty. to
iocicty in Kronburg, two adventures.
es have lled."'
The emperor caught his breath. "If
You were q young man 1 would kill
YOU for that" he said.
II know you would. AS II is, my
life is yours. But before you take Il,
for Gods sake, for your fathers sake,
hear me out!'
Leopold did not speak for n moment,
but stared ut the vanishing landscape.
Nyhtoh hn - thrnnal "a n roll i,aoa