Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-08-10
s&C The 3ts
GOOSE GIRL
By HAROLD MacGRATH
Copyright. 1909. by tn. Bosb.-r1erran Company
CHAPTER VII.
AFFAIRS OF STATE.

AFFAIRS OF STATE.
THE grand duke stamped back
and forth with a rumble as Of
distant thunder. They would
= play with him, Ell? Well, they
had loosed the lion this time. he had
sent his valet to summon her highness
and Herbeck.
"And tell them to put everything
else aside"
He kneaded the note in his hand
powerfully. 1t was anonymous, but it
spoke clearly, like truth. The sender
remained undiscoverable.
Had he not opposed it for months7
And now, having surrendered against
his better judgment, this gratuitous at
front was offered him. It was damna.
BILE. He smote the offending note.
War! Nothing less. He was prepared
for 1t. Twenty thousand troops were
now in the valley, and there were
10000 reserves.
Herbeck came calmly in.
''why the devil couldn't you have
left well enough alone? Read this!"
The duke flung the note down on his
desk.
Herbeck picked it up and worked out
the creases.
"wen" The query tingled with
rage.
The answer on the chancellor's lips
was not uttered. Hildegarde came in.
He embraced her and kissed her brow.
"Read," said the duke to her.
She slipped from her fathers arms
and looked with pity at the chancellor.
what do you think Of this, Hide
garden"
"Why, father, I think it is the very
best thing in the world" dryly.
IAN insult like this?" The duke
grew rigid. "You accept it calmly in
this fashion,
"Shall I weep and tear my hair
over a boy have never seen? No.
thank you. I was about to make
known to you this very evening that I
had reconsidered the offer. shall
never marry his majesty"
Herbeck explained the situation.
; "Your highness, the regent is really
not to blame, for his majesty had Civ
en- him free rein in the matter, and
his royal highness, working as I have
been for the best interests Of the two
countries, never dreamed that the king
would rebel. The king has been gen.
erous enough to leave the publicity in
our hands-that is to say. he agrees to
accept the humiliation of being reject
ed by her serene highness."
tsThat IS very generous of htm!' said
the duke sarcastically. "Send for DUO
WITT
.'Ducwitz. your highness?' cried the
chancellor, chilled.
Immediately
"Your highness, If you call Ducwitz
I shall surrender my portfolio" The
chancellor was firm.
do SO. There are others to take up
your work"
Hildegarde flew to the dukes side
and snatched at his sleeve.
Father, you are mad!"
! eat least am master in Ehrenstein.
Herbeck, you will have the kindness
to summon General Ducwitz."
"Your highness." replied Herbeck, II
have worked long and faithfully in
your service. can not recollect that
ever asked one personal favor. But
do so now. Do not send for Ducwitz
tonight. See him in the morning. This
is no time for haste. You will throw
the army into Jugendheit, and there
will follow a bloody war;
'I will have my revenge" stubborn
~.
"Father, listen to me. I am the az
fronted person. IL alone-have the
right to say what shall be done in the
matter. And I say to you IL you do
these cruel things, dismiss his excel
lency and bring war and death to
Ehrenstein, I will never forgive you
never, never! You are wrong, wrong,
and /, your daughter. tell you SO
frankly. Leave it to me. There will
be neither war nor humiliation"
"NIy dear child" he said, II have
suffered too much at the hands Of Ju-