Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1910-11-04

en:"
II love her." nobly. "And well for
you, my uncle, that you come as you
do. l would have married her. Wrong
her? What was a crown to me, who
till now have never worn one save in
speech? You have been the king"
Bodies must have heads; kingdoms
must have kings. l have made an ex-
pertinent. aud this Is the result.
wanted you to grow up unfettered by
power; | wanted you to mingle with
peoples. here and there. so when you
became their head physician you could
ably minister to their political dis
eases And all this fine ambition tum-
bles down before the wooden shoes Of
a pretty goose girl"
Now, Mr.. Carmichael, what il your
interest In Gretchen asked the king
tartly.
Carmichael trembled with joy. Here
was an opening for q double shot. MY
interest in her is better than yours. for
have not asked her to become a
kings mistress"
His royal highness bit his lip.
"Unclew cried the king. Mortified at
this revelation.
"Mr. Carmichael evidently has ap-
piled his ear to some keyhole." Herr
Ludwig replied. recollecting well the
day when he suggested to the beauti-
full young girl how easily and quickly
she could secure the riches, the pretty
things and the advantages she desired.
It occurred in the tap room Of the
tavern the day he had the mysterious
interview with the aged clOckmaker.
Yes. well did Herr Ludwig remember
how he had told Gretchen that she
Gould viii, the sowtis. the e.rrisif:ses and
the jewels her girls heart craved sole
~ through her beauty. by the supreme
right Of her beauty alone"
NO, no. not through the keyholev'
retOrted Carmichael. '"The window
was open. My clerk heard you plain.
ly."
Uncle. Is this damnable thing true:'
"Yes. What would you: You were
determined to make fool Of yourself
But rest easy. She IL ignorant where
this offer came from. and. moreover.
she spurntu 1t, as Mr.. Carinichaers
clerk will affirm. Oh, Gretchen Is Il
fine little woman. and ! would to God
she was of your station" And the
mask fell from the regents face. leav.
Ing 1t bitter and careworn. Our pres
ence Is known In Dreiberg: 1t has been
known for three days at least. And In
coming up here had another errand.
Oh. l haven't forgotten 1t. In the
street there are at least ten soldiers
under the subchief Of the police. Rath.
err curious conjunction"
The king turned white.
Carmichael ran to the rear window
He shrugged. There's half q dozen
In the garden too"
rs there any way to the roOfsY'
"NOne that would serve you"
"Mr. Carmichael" said the king. Of.
fering his hand. his handsome face
kindly and without rancOr. II should
be an ungrateful wretch II I did not
ask your full pardon. | am Indebted
to you twice for my life. little rs II
amounts to. And In my Kingdom you
will always be welcome. Will you nc.
cept my hand rs one man to another!
with happiness. your majesty. And
ask that you pardon my own hasty
words"
THANK you"
He is only young" sighed Ludwig.
The king emptied the drawer. put
the contents in his pack, tied the
strings and put 1t under his arm.
what are you going to doy" asked
the uncle, vaguely perturbed.
Il am going down to the soldiers. ]
am no longer a vintner; am a king!'
And he said this In q manner truly
royal
"Gottr' burst from the prince regent
This boy has marrow In his bones
after all. But the incarceration will
not be long. There are 10000 troops on
the other side Of the passes"
Ten thousand? Well, they shall
stay there" said the king determined
ly. Il shall not begin my reign with
war. will tell the duke the truth
He will not dare 60 far"
HE will be n good politician, too"
said Ludwig. with q smile Of approval
at Carmichael. mo. boy. there will
be no war. And yet l was prepared
for 1t. nor was l wrong In doing So
Already, but for Herbeck. there would
be plenty Of fighting In the passes
Ach! Could you but see the princess!'
II have seen her." replied the king.
Heaven would have been kinder had
l seen her months ago."
Say to his serene highness. then,
that you are willing to marry her."
''Tm afraid you do not understand.
uncle" the king replied sadly. II have
the supreme happiness to love and to
be loved. OF that nothing can rob me.
And for some time to come. uncle
mine. shall treasure that happiness"
"And the little Gretchen"
Eyes, yes! l have been a scoundrel."
ana tne kings eyes grew moist. you
are happy. Mr.. Carmichael. You have
no crown to weigh against your love"
End from that moment Carmichael's
heart warmed toward the young man.
whose sorrow was greater than his
own. for the king was giving up the
woman who loved him, while Carmi-
chael was only giving up the woman
he loved, which is distinction.
Come, uncle" said the young king:
"let US see what Is going on down.
stairs"
Carmichael followed them down.
There they are. men, cried the
subchief. "You are under arrestr'
Il am the king Of Jugendhelt," calm