Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1910-08-27
s end. :. TO sp<rs then II you stIu


nearest window, studying the letter
again in the sharper light.
Herbeck returned to his chair. Il
wish that you had shown me these
long ago. You accused the kingY'
Certainly, but he denied IT,"
I'm a letterT'
Yes. Here, read It."
HeTbeck compared the two where
did you find these7'
in Arnsberg's desk" returned the
duke-"Arnsberg. my boyhood play
mate. the man loved and trusted and
advanced to the highest Office in nv
power. Is that not the way? Wen.
dead or alive. 10000 crowns 20 him who
brings Arnsberg 20 me dead or alive"
You are very bitter" said Herbeck.
And have not cause7 Did not my
wife die Of broken heart, and did I
not become a broken man2 You do
not know all, Herbeck-nOt quite all.
Franz also sought the hand OF the
Princess Sofa. He, too. loved her. but
1 won Well. his revenge must have
been sweet TO him"
But your daughter has been restor-
ed 10 her own"
Due 10 your indefatigable Efforts
alone. All. Herbeck. nothing win ever
hll up the gap between, nothing viii
ever restore the mother" The duke
bowed his head.
Herbeck opened another drawer and
took forth a long hood envelope crest.
ed and Sealed.
Your highness. here Is a letter from
the prince regent OF Jugendheit for
maly asking the hand OF the Princess
Hildegarde for his nephew Frederick.
who win shortly be crowned. Ny ad-
vice IS TO accept, to let bygones be by
cones"
Write the prince that respectfully
decline"
DO nothing in haste, your highness.
Temporize. Say that you desire some
time 70 think about the matter. You
can change your mind az any time. A
reply like this commits you TO moth
ing, whereas your abrupt refusal win
only widen the breach"
The wider the breach the better"
NO. 10, your highness; the past has
disturbed you. We can stand war.
and It is possible that we might win.
even against Jugendheit. but war at
this late day would be n colossal blum
der. Victory would leave us where
We began thirty years ago. And an
insult TO Jugendhcit might precipitate
war"
lave your way, then"
The duke departed. stirred as he had
not been since the restoration OF the
princess. He sought his daughter
She was in the music room. My
child he began. taking Hudegarde's
hand and drawing her toward a win.
dow seat 1.-THE king Of Jugendhelt asks
FOR your hand"
Then / am 60 marry the king OF
Jugcndheitt' There was little iov in
her voice.
"Ah. we have not gone SO far as
that. The king. through his uncle. has
simply made a proposal"
1T is Tor YOU 10 decide. father
Whatever your decision is shall abide
by IT,"
1T is hard lesson we have 70 learn.
my child. We cannot always marry
where we love. Diplomacy and poll
tics make other plans. But fortunate
ly for YOU you love no one yet and
the king Is young handsome. they say.
and rich. Politically speaking. il
would be great match"
Il am In your hands. You know
what is best"
The duke was poignantly disar
pointed. Why ala she not reruse out
right. as became one Of the house OF
Ehrensteln2
Wv hat Is be ukcf" she asked.
THAT no one seems 10 know. He
has been 10 his capital bat twice IN ten
years. The young king has been in
Paris most OF the time. That's the
way they educate kings these days
They teach them all the vices Your
father loves you, and II you are incun-
ed toward his majesty. II it is in your
heart TO become a queen. I shall not
let my prejudices stand in the way"
She caught up his hand with
strange passion and kissed IT,
Father, do not want TO marry any
one" wistfully. But a queenr she
added thoughtfuny. Would Il be for
the good OF the slater
Here was reassn. YES; my objec-
lions are merely personal" said the
duke.
For the good OF my country l am
ready 90 make any sacrifice"
VERY well, but weigh the matter
carefully. There Is never any retrac-
ing n step OF this kind" lie paused
and then said;
"You are all have, girl"
my father" She stroked his cheek.
The restoration Of the Princess Hide
garde OF Ehrenstein had been the sen
sation Of Europe. as had been in the
earlier days her remarkable abduction.
For sixteen years the search had gone
on fruitlessly. In a garrett in DresdeL
the agents of Herbcck found her, a
singer in the chorus Of the opera. The
newspapers and illustrated weeklies
ragged about her for awhile, elaborated
fba story Of her Sfrurpias the uvSfprf.