The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1916-02-18
TWENTIETH INSTALlMENT
CHAPTER Xxx.
The Broken Treaty.

In the palace of Gretzhoffen, King
Michaels friends and courtiers, King
Michaels officials, at last began slowly
to recover from the period of dssipa.
tion into which they had plunged as
an expression OF their relief from the
armed menace SO recently at their
walls. There is a limit to human pos
sibilities in joy, in grief, in exaltation
OF any kind, even alcoholic. King Mi
chael and his court ceased to drink be-
cause they could drink no more-the
wine cup had ceased to furnish any
flip to their besotted brains.
Alone among all these others the
prime minister of Gretzhoffen retained
somewhat of his wits. Perhaps a
stout heredity made him more imper-
vious to the inroads of excess, or per-
haps he had certain ambitions of his
own which cannily suggested to him
that 1t were better to remain In pos
session of all his faculties At least
he was the first to call halt in the
carouse and to take some account of
events past and future.
He looked about him at the wreck
which had been wrought in the palace
by its inmates-wellnigh as complete
as that lately done by its enemies
looked at the stained rugs-the broken
furniture, the disordered tables His
gaze passed by all this to rest upon
the stupefied guests, of whom he now
proceeded to make quick clearance.
Michael himself made no protest at
this, for he knew little of what went
on about him. On his mind still rested
the obsession that he was celebrating
great victory Of the Gretzhoffen
arms and the Gretzhoffen diplomacy.
To him, therefore. the prime minister
now addressed himself in the hope of
some partial restoration OF order,
some semblance of government. AL
ways he missed the strong mind and
the strong arms of Count Frederick,
now so mysteriously disappeared.
Across the narrow neutral lands
which divided these two kingdoms.
yonder in the capital of Grahoffen, a
quite different state OF affairs held
place. No dissipation for old Corti-
slaw, and no celebration for any vic
tory not actually in hand. Cortislaw
planned war. AS for his pledged word
In the armistice and the later treaty,
he had long since cast to the winds all
this as scrap of paper carrying no
value whatever. Cortislaw signed trea-
ties only to get something afterward.
He had signed this one merely as a
~ ~ To I'M,
self from dangerous situation. That
being done, the world began all over
again for Cortislaw
In due time Sachio returned from
his bootless search in the vaults be.
low the Gretzhoffen palace. He was
full Of apprehension. but none the less
must face his sovereign.
Your majesty" he began. when at
length that dreaded interview was no
longer to be evaded. He hesitated |
and as he did so his monarch guessed |
his news was none too good.
well. well, Sachio, what is it that |
my majesty is to hear?" demanded |
Cortislaw. More bad news? You
have not won the secret-you have |
lost our last opportunity"
"Sire, It is true! Thus far have
failed. But still"
you ask more time, Do you think
time is as inexhaustible as a river? |
Let me tell you, it passes, with our
hopes, with wings. Time-more time?
that is what you cannot have!"
But, your majesty"
Away with you, Sachio! I have
parleyed with you for the last time.
II / did not need you as an officer,
your head indeed should hang on our
gates as warning to other failures"
How can l serve your majesty"
asked Sachio humbly, glad enough to
feel his head safe on his shoulders
for yet another hour.
Call out our army, Mobilize at
once to the last man! See that the
guns are ready with full ammunition
trains. Call in the officers at once
See to II also that the ships are ready
We will attack at once by land and
sea. Get you at once to the depart
ment of our navy. when you have fin
ished your orders for the land forces.
We must move at once"
Whittier, your majesty"
Where else, If not against Gretz-
hoffen? If you could not find their
secret at your leisure, will blow down
their towers and look among the ruins
myself for whatever secrets they may
hold. The gods OF my ancestors would
not let them rest in their graves if
accepted this situation as it rests for
l1s today"
A certain relief came to the soul