Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1908-07-31

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Imagine it necessary to lead up to q
subject II l can please myself by doing
you favor"
III have seemed to lead up to what
I wish to say. your majesty. 1t is only
for the sake Of explanation. You are
wondering, no doubt, how I knew you
would travel today and In this train;
also why have ventured to follow.
Your intention I learned by accident"
The chancellor did not explain by
what diplomacy that accident had
been brought about. "Wishing much
to talk over with you a pressing mat
ter that should not be delayed, l took
this liberty and seized this opportur
nifty.
Some men would in my place pre-
tend that business Of their own had
brought them and that the train had
been chosen by chance. But your maj.
esty knows me rs a blunt man when
serve him not as diplomat but rs
TREAD. I'm not one to work in the
dark with those who trust me. and I
want your majesty to know the truth"
(Which perhaps he did. but not tho
whole TRUTH
"Your raise my curiosity" said Leo
pold.
Then have your indulgence to
speak frankly not entirely as a humble
subject to his emperor. but rs an old
man to young man."
I'D have you speak as friend"
said Leopold. But a slight constraint
hardened his voice as he prepared him.
self for something disagreeable.
I've had a letter from the crown
prince Of Hungaria. 1t has come to his
ears that there Is 4 certain reason for
your majesty's delay In following up
the first overtures for an alliance with
his family. Malicious tongues have
whispered that your majesty's atten-
lions are otherwise engaged, and the
young Adalbert has addressed me in a
friendly way, begging that the rumor
may be contradicted or confirmed"
I'm not sure that negotiations had
gone far enough to give him the right
to be inquisitive." returned Leopold.
flushing.
The chancellor spread out his old
veined hands in a gesture Of appeal.
II fear" he said, that in my anxiety
for your majesty's welfare and the
good of Rhaetia may have exceeded
my instructions. My one excuse Is
that l believed your mind to be def
nitely made up. l still believe it to be
so. l 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 he In choosing a
husband, not in getting one For once,
my dear chancellor, gossip has told
the truth, and l 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 it.
There's some one else"-
1T Is of that some one else I would
venture to speak, your majesty. Cos.
Sip has named her. May II"
I'll save you the 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 woman so worthy. Chan.
cellor. there's no woman in the world
like Miss Helen Mowbray, the lady to
whom owe my life"
ITS natural you should be CRATE
ful. your majesty, but
ITS natural should be in love"
Natural that Il young man tnex-
perienced IN affairs Of the heart should
mistake warm gratitude for love, i'm.
possible that the mistake should be oil.
lowed 70 continue"