Oxford Democrat., 1910-09-27

i
a fancy to him. and you know what
they say of your father-no formality
with those whom he likes. Humanity
am right. but In the virtue Of every.
day events In court life am wrong.
Heroeck has spoken Of 1t. the older
women speak of II. and they all say
what do | care what they say?'
hotIy. Are you not the grand duke,
and am | not your daughterT'
You must ride no more with Herr
Carmichael. 1t Is neither wise nor
safe"
"Fatherw
He was up with his arms folding
around her Child. 1t Is only for your
sake. Listen to me.
You must be princess. You must
steel your heart against the invasion
of love unless 1t comes from state
equal or superior to your. own"
"Yes. father. | shall not ride with
him any more"
BE brave heart. and shall engage
to fiud king for you"
Il don't want any playthings. IA
ther." with the old light touch. and
then she looked him full In the eyes.
IL promise to do nothing more to Gre
ate comment II. on the other hand.
you will promise to give me two years
more of freedom"
The duke readily assented and short
" returned to his suit rather pleased
that there had been no scene-not that
he had expected any.
Considerable activity was manifest
in the police bureau the rest Of that
day.
To return to Carmichael. he had
never before concerned himself with
resigna tlons Up to this hour he had
never resigned anything he had set his
heart upon. So 1t was not AN easy
matter for him to compose letter to
the secretary Of state resigning the
post at Dreiberg. True. he added that
he desired to he transferred to sea-
port town. France or Italy preferred.
The high altitude In Dreiberg had af-
fected his heart. However. In case
there was 10 other available post they
would kindly uEPnint his successor at
once. 1t took courage indeed to face
the matter suuarely and resolutely.
That she was NOT going to marry the
king of .Jugendh-it did not alter his
affairs in the least. II was all hope
less. He must so.
Some one was knocking on the door.
"a letter for your excellency." said
I he concierge.
IF Herr Carmichael would learn the
secret Of No. 40 Krumerweg let him
attire himself as vintner and be In
the Krumerweg at 8 O'clock tonight"
This note was as welcome to the re-
cipient as the flowers in the spring.
An adventure? He was ready, now
and always.
81 shall need the costume Of vint.
ner this evening" he said.
"Oh. that will be easy" affirmed the
concierge.
So It came about that Carmichael.
dressed as vintner. his hat over his
eyes. stole into the misty night and
took the way to the Krumerweg. He
knew exactly where he wished to go
No. 40. After all. who WAS the lady
in black. and why should he bother
himself about her? She probably came
from the back stairs Of the palace.
And yet the chancellor himself had
been in this place.
A step! He trained his ear. But
even rs lie did so his arms were
grasped firmly ana twisted behind his
back, and at the same time cloth was
wrapped round the lower part OF uls'
face. leaving only his eyes and nose
visible. He was helpless. He was
lighting against three.
Then one of the three whistled. A
minute or two after closed carriage
came into the Krumerweg. and Car
michael was literally bundled inside.
His feet and hands were bound.
The carriage began to move slowly.
One turn after another he counted. fix
ing as we'll as he could the topography
of the town through which they were
passing. Once the road outside OF
Dreiberg was reached fast pace was
set. At the Jugendheit barrier the car
riage stopped. Presently there appear
old 6raSSnI
d mountaineer. In his hand was
lantern.
Pardon me. dear nephew Fools!
he broke of. swinging round. HE has
tricked you all. This Is not he!'
Three astonished faces peered over
the old mans shoulder. One was
carter, another butcher and the third
baker.
Carmichael. now freed. stretched
himself.
"WelI?" he said. with dangerous
quiet.
Herr Carmichael. the American con-
sui" The old man nearly dropped the
lantern. "Oh. you Internal block
heads"'
Carmichaei's anger dissolved. and he
laughed. All the mystery was gone.
He saw how neatly he had been duped.
He still carried the note. This he gave
to the leader Of this midnight expe-
ditiun.
"Humph!" said the old man In
growi ~ thought as much" He whts-
pered to his COM
~ paniOns. III err