New-York tribune., 1909-12-19
CHAPTER TX.
Mutterines of Storm

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dred wards II was halted by . loud com
mand- An officer, galloping at the head Of
detachment OF cavalry, sought news OF the
King and an escorted vehicle coming from the
upper end OF Furst Michaelstrasse promised
developments. JOan was startled back into
consciousness by the sudden stoppage. The
excited babble going on without was InCOm-
pTehenSlble and therefore alarming, nor did the
polite assurances OF the officer as ne bent IN
the saddle and peered IN at the window while
he aired his best French, 10 still this fresh
tunult in her veins.
What Is he savIng'" she asked Felix turn
ing her frightened ewes from the urbane per
sonage on horseback 10 Pouski intent face
% He was sent TO rescue the King, was the
explanation He SAYS the bodyguard re
ceived warning less than two minutes ago"
"T Tell him the King Is safe now.
oh. he knows that already. What puzzled
him Is the fact that the troops at the War Min
istrv, which lies beyond the Presidents house
should have reached here before him
" What does It matter. since help came IN
time Please bid the coac'lman 90 on. II
should like % be the first % let Princess Del
grado know that her son has escaped from
those horrid men. Who were they, Why
should they want TO kill Alec
FELIX did not obey her behest Instantly
He exchanged some hastv words with the
strange officer. who CHANGED 10 be Drakovitch.
and answered Joan's question only when the
cab resumed It's Journey. Have YOU forgotten
the part PLAYED by the Seventh Regiment IN
the recent history Of Delgratz," he cried
'- remember something about them. Alec
disbanded them. Oh-thev were the soldiers
who revolted and murdered the late King and
Queen"
Exactly. Do women ever read the news
papers intelligently, ! wonder: You state a
most remarkable fact, considering that this Is
Delgratz and your future capital, as coolly as
II il had happened IN Kamchatka."
But still ! do not understand why they
should turn against Alec. ! have at least SUI
ticient intelligence 10 recall the avOwed object
Of their crime. the restoration Of the belgrade
line"
Felix smiled. II loan was able % defend her
self she was certainly making rapid recovery.
' That Is mere hazy recollection Of their after
thought OF al despotIsns, save me from
military one. and soldiers who slay Kings are
the worst of despOts' II there were no kings,
there would be few soldiers. Joan. Put that
valuable truisrn away among the other wise
saws that govern your life. You VIII appreciate
It's truth and the even greater truth of It's CON
verse. when YOU are Queen. But soldiers are
stupid creatures obviously So since killing Is
no argument. OF the word philosopher would
mean q man armed with a bludgeou. II they
do away with a tvrant and elect his successor
they are apt 10 acquire the habit. Soldiers are
meant 10 obey. not to rule, and these kOsno-
Wan King makers were not patriots but cut
thrOatS-
loan buried her face in her hands, The
thought came unbidden that IN some mex
plicable wav she shared with the infamous
Seventh Regiment q large measure OF responsl-
bitv for Alec dangerous klngshlp.
"Mademoiselle is ILL., Why trouble her with
v011r silly chatter" demanded Pauline angrlv.
Eli what the deuce, Ny name isn't Ba-
laam.' retOrted Felix.
" Nor am a donkey monsieur. II II WASH I
for YOU, miadi would now be happy IN her little