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

Drippe Is as charming as she is sold 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 n 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
at IS of that some one else I would
venture to speak, your majesty. Cos.
sip hnS named her May II"
"I'll save you tho trouble for I'm
not ashamed that the common fate
has ovcrtaien me-common because
every man loves once before he dies,
ana yet uncommon because no man
ever loved woman SO worthy. Chan.
ccllor, there's no woman IN the world
like Miss Helen Mowbray, the lady to
whom | owe my life"
"Its natural you should he CRATE
full, your majesty, but
ITS natural | should be In love"
Natural that young man ineN-
pcricnced In affairs OF the heart should
mistake warm gratitude for love, i'm.
possible that the mistake should be al
lowed to continue"
I.eopolds eyes grew dark. "In such
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"
"Intcntions, did you say, your majes-
ty? fear grow hard of hearing"
at least you Will never grow slow
of understanding. did speak Of my
intentions toward Miss Mowbray."
You would give the lady some mag.
nihcent estate, some splendid acknowl.
cdgment"-
whether splendid or not would be a
matter Of opinion" laughed tho en-
pcror. 81 shall offer her a present Of
nyself."
The old man had been sitting with
his chin sunk into his Ialeart .rs4ck, pee
Ing out from under his brows I'm n 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
Il hope to marry Miss MoWbray,"
Leopold cut him short.
The chancellor's jaw dropped, and he
grew pale. IL had dreamed OF nothing
as bad rs this" he burted out, with
10 thought or wish to sugar the truth.
Il feared young mans rashness. /
dreaded scandal. But, forgive me. your
majesty. For you n mor9anatic mar
riage would he madness"---
"a morganatic marriage. did think
OF ut first, but on second thoughts I
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 cry the chancellor spranR up
Ills 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" ne painted
but say yes" Leopold answered
and let no man give mo nay. I've
thought 1t all out. will make her a
countess first. Then she shall be made
my empress"
Your majesty, 1t IS not possible"
Take care, chancellor"
'She has been deceiying 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 l am cid ana
WISE your majesty. Today you have
made me feel that I am yery old.
fnnish me as you will for my frank
ness My work for you and yours "a
nearly done. Chcerfully will / sub.
NIT to my dismissal II only this last
clort in your service may save the
snip of state from wreck. l would
not make an accusation which I could
not prove. And can prove that the
two English ladies who have bean
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 majesty, 20
iocicty in Kronburg, two adventures.
es have lled"'
The emperor caught his breath. "If
you were a young man l would kill
YOU for that" he said.
II know you would. AS Il Is, my
life IS yours. But before you take 1t.
for God's sake, for your fathers sake,
hear me out"
Leopold did not speak for moment,
but stared at the vanishing landscape.
which he saw through red haze.