Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-08-23

ed and disgraced! And these two chill.
dren, which Is mine? Villain. what
have you to say7 What was your pur.
pose?"
How many years. thought Herbeck.
had he been. prparing for this mo-
ment? How long had he been steeling
his heart against this very scene? Flu
tile dream. He drew himself together
with supreme effort. He would face
this hour as he had always planned to
face it. Found out. He looked at his
finger. touched it with an impersonal
curiosity. BE had forgotten all about
such possibility. A little finger to
have stopped the wheel Of so great a
scheme. Irony!
'Your highness," he said, his voice
soft and strangely clear. II have been
waiting for this hour. So am found
out! How little we know what God
tntendsv'
"You speak of God? You blaspheme"
"Bear with me for space. I shall
not hold you long"
"But why? What have I done to
you that you should wreck all hold.
dearw
Herbeclz fumbled with his collar. ST
have practically governed this country
for sixteen years. In that time have
made it prosperous and happy. have
given you a substantial treasury. I
have made you an army. I have
brought peace where you would have
brought war. To my people God will
witness that have done my duty as
saw it. One day fell the victim
Of mad dream. And to think that
almost WON'T
"And I?' said Hildegarde. her hands
clinched and pressed against her bos-
ON. what have you done to me, who
am innocent Of any wrong? What
have you done to me?"
"You. my child? 1 have wronged
you greatest Of all. The wrong have
done to you is irreparable. All. have
not my arms hunsered for the touch Of
you, my heart ached for the longing
Of you? To see you day after day.
always humble before you. always
glad to kiss the back of your hand!
ness?' turning to the duke.
"What am l. and who am I?' whis-
pered Hildegarde, her heart almost
ceasing to beat.
II am your father"
The Grand Duke Of Ehrenstein be-
held the chancellor with that phase OF
astonishment which leaves the mind
onclouded. What a project! What
mind to conceive it, to perfect it down
k1 o%oH ov.,e
in the gold Of the locket! And little
finger to beray it. In a fash he saw
wildly all this man had undergone
day by day. unfaltering. unhesitant,
forgetting nothing. remembering every
thing but the one insignificant item
which was to overthrow him.
Prince Ludwig took off his hat. "Her-
beck. you are great politician"
mo. prince" replied Herbeck with
nenable sadness. Had l been great
politician I should have succeeded. All.
give this to my merit; self never en-
tered into this dream. It was all done
for my child"
Hildegarde did not move. no: had
she moved since the revelation.
'.Hildegarde," said the duke. 'you
shall become my daughter. and you
shall dwell here till the end Of your
days. I will try to right the wrong
that has been done to you"
mo, your highness," she replied.
"There IS but one place for me. and
that Is at my fathers side" And res
olutely she walked to the chancellor's
left. and her hand stole down and met
his firmly. "My father. I forgive you.''
she said. with quiet dignity.
"You forgive me% The chancellor
could not believe his ears.
Eyes. father"
Then. recalling all the child hunger
In his arms and heart. he swept her
to his breast convulsively. and the un-
ioosed tears dropped upen her bright
head.
"And who am I?' said Gretchen.
"Breunner. you say this little goose
girl Is my daughter"
II solemnly swear It, highness. Look
into her face again carefully"
The duke did SO. hand on either
cheek. He scrutinized every contour.
the color Of the eyes, the low, broad
brow. the curve Of the chin. Out OF
the past he conjured up the mothers
face. Yes. beyond any doubt there
was haunting likeness, and he had
never noted it before.
'tBut who will prove it to the world?"
he cried hopelessly. still holding
Gretchen's wondering face between
his hands.
IT shall prove it, said the king.
"You? And hoWy
II shall marry Gretchen. shall
make hc- queen That will be proof
enough"
"a fine stroke. nephew: a bold