Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1908-08-12
A COUP BY A TELEPHONE GIRL.
[Orisinal1 l
 as

"Bur 10 lnluk Ol uelnrlcn DelnS put to death and he innocent of the crime. How can throw that off my mind: We must find way to get this new evidence before tue court
 .That is impossible, sweetheart We have had the last rehearing of the case, and it is closed. Do try to make up your mind to bear it. You will not only lose your reason, but make me lose mine. No judge or court can now help us to save your brother"
 "Could not the emperor?'
 "The emperor cannot interfere ill law eases. Besides, it would be impossible to get an audience with him."
 ''Not on a matter of life and death?' "Unquestionably. Suppose every con- victed prisoner or his friends could in terview the emperor abou. his case. He would have no time for his legiti- mate duties Besides, the courts have exclusive control of such matters"
 He talked with her long while, but failed to produce any effect. Who suf- fers most, one whom the law punishes or those who love the offender? Proba- ply the latter. At last the lover went away, and Gretchen walked the floor in agony. Presently Marie Froibel friend of Gretchen's, came in. Marie was employed in the central office of the Berlin Telephone. She not only knew of Gretchen's trouble, but suf- fered from it herself. Carl, the con- demned, and Marie had been school children together, and, although they had not spoken of love and no one suspected them of being lovers, still Marie hid secret in her heart She alone knew that she loved Carl. But she must not display her feelings as her sister did.
 "Iarie." said Gretchen, "I must see the emperor. Carl says his majesty cannot help us if he would. l don't believe il! He has the power to do al most anything I am sure he has kind heart
 Marie ponacred Tt seems to me- she said presently, that q woman's heart is more susceptible to pity and would i,, easier influenced, especially when what is asked conflicts with duty
 But tlsa emperor is not a woman.'
 ''The c..! a.ess k
 "But h.s she t4e power
 "Yes, t3 influence the emperor"
 "Well but we cannot get an inter view with her any more than with tile emperor
 'l thiak possibly may manage that
 "You, poo: gi.I working for your living, get inn an interview Nith jfa greatest lady in tie tathe"i.;as'''1 v
 Sometimes l have grcat po1rr 10 secure the attention of :s.eat reo.,,e.'
 "What do you mean: 'I'a.i me e3ic,s...
 "I have given you hope. Live on tA:st for the pre- 'ent If perfect a plan will call you upon the telephone and give it to you. Stay at home. never 70 ing even for minute where caa& reach you.''
 Marie kissed her friend and went away. She had caught an idea The question remained, Would she get an opportunity to work it out? There might be a penalty attached to what she proposed to do. but what was that compared With a chance to save the life of the man she loved.
 In few days when Gretchen was endeavoring to get her mind off the tragedy by doing some houseWork. there was a ring at the telephone Tax ing up the receiver she heard wom. ans voice ask:
 "Is that you, baroness?'
 "You are''- began Gretchen
 "The empress.''
 Gretchen trembled
 "No, your majesty, I am not the baroness. l am only poor girl whose brother has been sentenced to death for crime he did not commit God has given me this opportunity to ask you to help to save him. beg that your majesty will implore the emperor to use his influence to give mo an op- portunity to get the new proof that he is innocent. Think. your majesty, how you would feel if one dear to you were about to be killed"
 This is singular" said the voice of the empress as if to herself. Then: 'Give me your brothers name, my poor girl, and I will see if can do anything for you, though you must know that the courts are an entirely different part of the government from that which the emperor administers. But l am sorry for you and will help you if can"
 Gretchen gave her brothers name, then thanked the empress, hung up the receiver and danced all around the room. But soon she began to be de- spondent again, though now that she mad the empress promise to try to help her she did not despair.
 The next day the judge before whom tue case had been tried received a summons to the palace. There an in terview occurred between him and the emperor, which resulted in q reopen