The Whitefish pilot. [volume] (Whitefish, Mont.) 1904-current, 1911-09-21
..0w til r..
Was Made
A Story Inspired By the Pres
ideut's Peace Plan
By F. A. Mitchell
Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation, 1911.
By F. A. mitchell


Europe the municipalities Of Pertonia
and Weaden have disappeared from
the map. They were carved out of
the ancient territory called Helvetia
and were adjoining provinces. For
years the boundary line between the
two was matter Of dispute. and much
blood had been spilled without any
progress being made to fix it perma-
nently. At last war had reduced them
both to bankruptcy.
One day a young man. Herman Won
Gratz, rode into the capital Of Weaden.
drew up at the palace Of tile reigning
prince and announced himself as an
envoy extraordinary from the sover-
eign of Pertonia. having power to
make a treaty with his neighbors of
Weaden establishing boundary line.
At the time Of his arrival the minister
Of foreign affairs was with the prince.
who. having heard Won GRATIS an
nouncement. turned to his cabinet Of
fcer and said:
"Count Won Steinwitz. negotiate
treaty such as this young man is sent
to make. l do not wish to see it or be
consulted with regard to it till it has
been signed. sealed and delivered.
Then. If it is satisfactory to me. | will
make you a marquis, giving you at
the same time one of my estates. If
the treaty fails to meet my approval
you shall lose your head"
<In hO 10n1roH vor
much astonished.
what surprises you?" asked the
prince.
"A coincidence. My sovereign the
Prince Of Pertonia has imposed upon
me the same conditions"
"Iudeed"'
Eyes, your highness. with this addi-
ton, that the treaty must be made.
l cannot escape by n failure to agree"
Turning to Won Steinwitz. the prince
said:
add that condition to those have
named. Take my brother sovereign's
representative to your castle and keep
him there till you have come to an
agreement"
The minister and the ambassador
bowed themselves out. mounted horses
and rode to Won Steinwitz's castle.
There was a great difference in years
between the two diplomats. Won Stein
WITT being over sixty years old. while
| Won Gratz was scarcely thirty. The
! former was not much worried for his
head, for he was a veteran in diploma
cy and had no fear but that he could
outwit the younger and less expert
! enced man. Upon their arrival the
host placed his guest in the handsom-
est suit of apartments in the castle.
left him and, going to his cabinet. or
dered an attendant to say to his daugh-
ter. the Countess Bertha. that he wish
ed her to come to him. In few min
utes the maiden Joined her father.
and he said to her:
"a young diplomat is here from the
king of Pertonia. Make it your bust
ness to win his heart"
Eyes, father" said the girl dutifully
| and retired. She asked no reason for
this strange request. and none was Of
| xCICu. 1IhO uIA gu 10 VI NA1dC PCAAOOs
she was accustomed to hear and to
obey. Parents did not give reasons for
their orders.
Won Gratz met Bertha Won Steinwitz
ut supper the same evening. No orders
were necessary in either case so far
as love was concerned. for the young
diplomat as soon as he set eyes on the
countess was enraptured. And Ber-
tina in the handsome face and figure,
the intellectual cast of Won GRATIS
head and countenance. saw an ideal
such as she had treasured from child
hood. After the meal the crafty count
withdrew to his cabinet. leaving the
two together.
The next morning after breakfast
Won Steinwitz. instead Of inviting his
guest to begin the negotiations. or
dered horses and falcons to be brought
and sent his guest and Bertha out for a
hunt All day they rode through the
woods attended by retinue of cour-
tiers and servants. Bertha not only
found any attempt to fascinate her
companion repulsive. but needless.
She had only to be herself to win him.
and she gave her heart to him without
the asking. Love is finer diplomat
than any earthly sovereign has ever
employed, The two breathed it in
with the pure air. When their birds
took fight for the coveted game
though their eyes followed. their hearts
remained in proximity. And when the
hunt was ended and they rode back to
the castle they took no thought OF
love; the little god alone had a care fol
that.
The second day was like the flrst
And so the time passed. Love pro.
crossed. but not the treaty. Ten days
had gone by. and not point In It had
been discussed. Then the young d1plo
mat began to realize that he loved hi
antagonists daughter. A new feature
had come over the treaty. II The
count achieved diplomatic advantage
the lover would lose his head. II the
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