Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1910-10-18

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"You do not ask to be forgiven, and
like that. You have. perhaps. three
hours 10 get your things in order. To
morrow yor will be judged and con
demned. But you. Hildegarde"-
"No. your highness; we shall both
take the train for Paris. Gretchen
you will be happy"
Gretchen ran and flung herself into
Rildegarde's arms. and the two OF
them w6pt. Hildegarde pushed Gretch.
Ell away gently.
"Come. father; we have SO littl.
time"
And this was the sum Of the dukes
revenge.
1t never took Carmichael long to
make up his mind definitely. He found
his old friend the cabman in the Platz.
and they drove like mad to the con-
sulate. An hour here suficed to close
his diplomatic career and seal it her
metically. The clerk, however. would
60 on like Tennyson's brook. forever
and forever. Next be went to the res
idence Of his banker In the KONG
strasse and got together all his avail
able funds.
Eleven o'clock found Carmichael in
his rooms at the Grand hotel. feverish-
ly packing his trunk and bag. Paris!
He would go also even If they passed
t1 thn DO - tha
The train stood waiting in the gloomy
Bahnhof. The guards patrolled the
platform. Presently three men came
out Of the station door. Two were Of
ficers. The third. Colonel Won Wallen-
stein. was in civilian dress. He was
sullen and depressed.
Said one of the officers: "And 1t Is
the express command Of General Due.
witz that you will return here under
the pain Of death. Is that eXplicit?'
"It Is" The colonel got into his com
partment ard slammed the door vi
riously.
In the next compartment sat Grum'
bach. He was smoking his faithful
pipe. He was withal content. This
was far more satisfactory than stand
Ing up before the firing line. and. be-
sides. he had made history In Ehren-
stein that night. They would not for
get the name Of Dreunner right away.
To America with clean slate and
reposeful couscience-it was more
than he had any reasonable right to
expect. TekIa. He laughed sardoni-
cally. She was no doubt sound asleep
by this time, and the end of the chap
ter would never he written for her.
What fools these young men a-court-
Ing were! War and famine and pesti-
lence-did these not always follow at
the heels of women!
AS the station masters bell rang the
door opened and man jumped in. He
tossed his bag into the corner and
pumped down in the seat.
Captain"
"You, Hans?"
"Yes. Where are you going"
81 am weary Of Drelberg. SO l am
taking little vacation"
"For how long?" suspiciously.
"Oh, for ever SO longT evasively.
Hans said nothing more. He was
full Of wisdom. He had an idea. The
fleeing chancellor and his daughter
were on the train. and he was certain
that his friend Carmichael knew it.
BY the aid Of certain small briberies
Oh the train and In Paris Carmichael
gathered bit by bit that the destina-
ton Of the woman he loved was Amer
leu. But never once did he set eyes
upon her till she and her father mount
ed the gangplank to the vessel which
was to carry them across the wide At
lantic. The change in Herbeck was
pitiable. His face had aged twenty
years in these sixty odd hours. His
clothes, the same he had worn that
ever memorable night. hung loosely
about his gaunt frame, and there was
vacancy in his eyes which was elo-
quent of mental collapse Carmichael
abidel his time.
A French newspaper contained full
account Of Herbeck's coup and his sub
sequenl flight, 1t also recountrd the
excitement Of the following day. the
appearance OF Gretchen on the steps
Of the palace and the great shouting
Of the people as they acclaimed her the
queen of .Iugendhelt.
The second day out Carmichaefs
first opportunity came. He discovered
Herbeck and his daughter leaning
against the rail. He watched them
uneasily. wondering how he might ap-
proach without startling her. At last
he keyed up his courage.
Good morning. your highness," he
stammered. and inwardly cursed his
stupidity.
At the sound Of his voice she turned.
and there was no mistaking the glad
ness in her eyes.
"Mr Carmichael!'
"Yes. ! was surprised to learn thar
YOU were taking the same boat as
myself"
How clumsy he was. she thought.
For she had known his every move
since the train drew out Of Dreiberg.
Father. here is our friend, Herr
Carmichael"
Carmichael" said Herbeck slowly.
"Ah, yes. Good morning"
And Carmichael instantly compre-
hended that his name recalled nothing
to the other mans remembrance.
"YOu arc returning to America" she
asked.
"For coed. perhaps. To tell the
truth, / ran away, deserted my post
though technically l have already re-
signed. But America has been calling
me for some days. You have never
been to sea before?
mo; 1t is all marvellous and strange
to me-"
"Let us walk, my child" said Her
beck.
"You viii excuse me, Mr.. Carmi'
chael?' she said. Never more the rides
In the fair mornings; never more the
beautiful gardens. the music. the gal
loping of soldiers who drew their sa-
bers whenever they passed her. Never
more any Of these things.
"Can | be Of any assistance? he said
| In an undertone.
NO." sadly.
The days, more or less monotonous.
went past. Sometimes he saw her
aaoi- l,iaf only for UfflP