Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1910-09-24

brought war. To my people God viii
witness that / have done my duty as
I saw 81. One day / fell the victim
OF mad dream. And to think that
l almost wOnr'
And 2" said Hildegarde. her hands
clnched and pressed against her bos-
ON. What have you done TO me, who
am innocent OF any wrong2 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 hungered for the touch OF
you. my heart ached for the longing
Of yOu2 To see you day after day.
always humble before you, always
glad to kiss the back Of your hand,
Have l not lived in hell. your high
ness?" turning TO the duke.
What am I. and who am IT. whis-
pered Hildegarde. her heart almost
ceasing to beat.
81 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 10 conceive il. 10 perfect it down
to so small a detail as a jewelers. mark
in the gold Of the locket. And a little
finger 10 betray it. 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 10 overthrow him.
Prince Ludwig took of his hat Her
beck, you are a great politician"
mo, 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. I viii try 20 right the wrong
that has been done 90 you"
NO. your highness." she replied.
There Is but one place for me. and
that is at my fathers side" And res
olutely she walked 20 the chancellor's
loft. and her hand stole down and met
Sis firmly. My father. / forgive you. -
she said, with quiet dignity.
You forgive meT' 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.
loosed tears dropped upon her bright
head.
And who am ~ said Gretchen.
"Breunncr. you say this little goose
girl is my daughterT'
Il sOlemnly swear a.. highness. LOOK
into her face again carefully"
The duke did So. hand on cithor
cheek. lie scrutinizcd every contour.
the color OF the eyes. the low. broaG
brow, the curve OF the chin. Out o.
the past he conjured up the mothers
face. Yes. beyond any doubt there
was haunting likeness. and he had
never noted IL before
but who VIII prove It to the world e
he cried hopelessly. still holding
Gretchen's wondering face between
his hands.
Il shall prove it, said the king.
"You? And howg'
Il shall marry Gretchen. shall
make her queen. That will be proof
enough"
a fine stroke. nephew; a bold
strokew Prince Ludwig laid his hand
N L
affection.
IF you accept her without further
proof /. her father. can do no less"
And the duke led her over TO the king.
gravely Joining their hands.
Gretchen murmured the King.
Il do not know how TO act Ike a
princess"
q shall teach you"
Gretchen laid her head on his breast.
She was very tired and much Devil
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.
Your majesty" said the grand
duke. Il regret that your father is not
alive 60 accept my apologies for so
basely mistudging him. Ansberg.
nothing that l can do will restore these
wasted years. But l offer you the
portfolio"
Il am only n broken man, your high
ness-too old"
1T is my Will"
"As for you" said the duke TO tie
gypsy, go. and II you ever step this
side Of the frontier again you will be
shot out OF hand" He stopped again
In front OF Grumbach. Il promised TO
have you shot in the morning. That
promise holds. But a train leaves for
Paris little after midnight. Nv ad
vice Is for you not to miss it,"
And my father. your highnessT"
said Hildegarde bravely.
''Herbeck. your estates are conls
Gated; your name is struck from the
civic and military lists. Have you any
ready funds?'
"A little. your highness."