The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1915-12-10

copyright. 1875. BY Wright A Patterson

Tor himself to strengthen his own pc
sition in the kings good graces.
Your majesty" exclaimed the astute
nobleman, now advancing and offering
his hand, forgive me! l was in fault
today In my conduct toward your ma.
jesty. Twas but mad jest Of my
own. Give me but opportunity to
prove my loyalty to your person and
our country, and you shall not find
me lacking. The people are about us
yes, It is true-there Is danger of
revolt, of revolution. shall not at
tempt to deny that; but give me leave
to handle them, your majesty, and
promise you safety. promise you to
send them away.
You are indeed my friend, after all,
Count Frederick" exclaimed Michael.
What you counsel seems wise. Use
your own discretion, but dispense them
--disperse them"
Count Frederick fastened to ad-
dress the people. who now halted, un-
certain as to what move next to make
my good people," began he, as he
stood at the head of the great stair
way above them-"his majesty thanks
you for the honor you have done him
in coming out upon this occasion. He
himself has found great pleasure In
coming here to meet you tonight, al
though he arose from a sick bed to do
so. He wishes you to be calm in these
stirring days. He has planned this
great ball in order that you might see
the equaminity OF his own soul in
these events, so difficult alike for a
king and his people to endure. There
fore. remain loyal to your king, whom
| represent before you. The ballroom
soon will be cleared. Let the streets
also be cleared. Go to your homes.
Wait, and depend on us who have your
true welfare at heart"
There surged up to him now the
figures OF more than one man, some in
uniform, from places in the throng, in
the street. What is it-what is wrong
why do we not have the order to
march on the palace?" they demanded
eagerly.
AIS wrong" whispered the Count
them. For some reason, best known
to himself, the king is not drunk to-
night, but sober. His people are not
turned against him-on the contrary,
they seem to respect him more than
they have done for months-there
would be division among them If we
started new revolt now.
Here, take this gold, my friends"
he added, and stripped himself of
some considerable sums he had
brought with him. 1T is all | have
Give 1t to those who need it most
Take them away from here-let them
go to the drinking places. See that
these places are filled now, and that
the toast shall be Long live King
Michael!'
We may not yet cry Long live King
Frederick?
The nobleman shook his head. Not
yet said he, They still shall cry
Long live King Michael That will
do for the time at least"
Count Frederick returned through
the great entryway and rejoined King
Michael where he stood. Your ma
jesty," said he, your people are re-
turning to their homes"
Frederick. my friend, my savior!"
The weak king, his features working,
grasped the hands of the stronger
man. You tell me they will dis
perse?"
Even now they do so, your ma,
jesty."
Kitty, by this time somewhat for
gotten In the kings vacillating mind,
stood looking from one to the other
of these two. AS she read the situa-
ton, it carried something of defeat
to her. An instant ago she herself
had dominated the scene. Otherwise
now; for Count Frederick gave her
somewhat sarcastic smile. 1t was
the time of his triumph and of her
discontinue.
"Mademoiselie is distrait?" said he.
She is not dancing-she will return
to her hotel. perhaps? What can one
do for mademoselle?"
Kitty turned toward him calmly.
IF | might ask one of you gentle.
men to secure my car for me?" Count
Frederick smiled and bowed as he
turned away.
But Kitty was not so soon to leave
the great salon of the palace that
night She passed toward the entrance
slowly, caught in the crush and conFu.
sion of others who were crowding out
in the fiasco of the much-vaunted
black and white ball. For the time,
she found herself in the shelter of a
great column, where she was willing
enough to pause. AS she halted here
she heard voices just behind her-one
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