Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1910-11-18


beck's brain. though at that instant
be was not conscious OF il.
1T was yOu-you. 1t was your hand
that wrecked my life-yours. All. is
there such villainy? Are such men
born and 90 they live? My wife dead.
my Own heart broken. Arnsberg ruin
ed and disgraced. And these two chill
dren. which Is mine? Villain. what
have you to say? What was your pur
posc?"
How many years, thought Herbeck.
had he been preparing for this mo-
nient? 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 rs he had always planned to
face 1t. Found out! lie looked at his
finger, touched 1t with an impersonal
curiosity. He had forgotten all about
such a 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. Il have been
waiting for this hour. So / am found
out. How little we know what God
Intends
you speak of God? You blaspheme-
Bear with me for space. ! shall
not hold you long"
but why? What have done to
you that you should wreck all hold
DEAR"
Herbeck fumbled with his collar. 81
have practically governed this country
for sixteen years. In that time l have
made it prosperous and happy. / have
given you substantial treasury.
have made you an army. have
brought peace where you would have
brought war. To my people God will
witness that l have done my duty as
l saw it. One day fell the victim
Of mad dream. And to think that
| almost won'
And ?" 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? l have wrouged
you greatest Of all. The wrong I have
done to you is irreparable. All. have
not my arms hungered 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.
Have | not lived in hell. your high
ness" turning TO the duke.
What am ]. and who am IL" whis-
pered llildrgarde. her heart almost
ceasing TO beat.
Il am your father"
The Grand Duke Of Ehrenstein be-
held the chancellor with that phase Of
establishment which leaves the mind
unclOuded. What project: What n
mind to conceive 1t. to perfect it down
to so small detail as jewelers. mark
in the gold of the locket. And a little
finger to betray 1t. In 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 bis hat. Her
beck. you are u great politician"
NO. prince" replied Herbeck with
neffable sadness. Had been great
politician should have succeeded. All.
give this to my merit; self never en-
tered into this dream. 1t was all done
for my child"
Hildegarde did not move. nor 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. ! 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.
+. "Yes. father"
Then. recalling all the child hunger
in his arms and heart, he swept her
to his breast convulsively. and the un.
loosed tears dropped upon her bright
head.
"And who am - said Gretchen.
"Breunner. you say this little goose
girl is my daughter"
81 solemnly swear II. highness. Look
Into her face again carefully"
The duke did so. hand on either
check. 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
But who will prove 1t to the world? ?"
he cried hopelessly. still holding
Gretchen's wondering face between
his hands.
Il shall prove it." said the king.
You: And howy"
Il shall marry Gretchen. shall
make her n queen. That will be proof
enough"
"A fine stroke. nephew; bold
stroke" Prince Ludwig laid his hand
upon the kings shoulder with rare
affection.
III you accept her without further
proof ]. her father. can do no less"
And the duke led her over to the king.
grayely joining their hands.
"Gretchenw murmured the king.
Il do not know how to act like a
princess"
IL shall teach YOU"
Gretchen laid her head on his breast
She was very tired and much bewIl-
dered.
The duke paced the length Of the
cabinet several times. No one inter
rupted his meditation. Back and forth,
one hand hanging to the opposite
shoulder. the other folding over his
chin. Then he paused with abrupt
ness.