The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1916-03-10
TWENTIETH lNSTALLMENT
Xxx.


The Broken Treaty.
In the palace OF G~retzhoffen. King
Michael's friends and cOurtiers, King
Mlchael's officials, at last began slowly
. recover from the period OF dissipa-
ton into which they had plunged as
On expression Of their relief from the
esmed menauo 60 recently 1T their
walls. There 10 . limit to human pos
sibilities In JOY. In grief. In exaltation
Of any kind. Y e 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
Allip 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 q 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
~ that lately done by its enemies
looked at the stained rugs-the broken
furniture, the dis0rdered tables. His
gaxe passed by all this to rest upon
the stupefied guests. of whom he o
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 ne was celebrating
. great victory Of the Gretzhoffen
arms and the Gretzhoffen diplomacy.
To him, therefore, the prime minister
now addressed himself In the hone of
some partial restoration OF order.
some semblance of q 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 val. As for his pledged word
In the armistice and the later treaty.
he had long since cast to the winds all
this as q scrap Of paper carrying no
value whatever. Cortislaw signed trea-
ties only to get something afterward.
He had signed this one merely as a
temporary expedient to extricate him
self from . dangerous situation. That
being done. the world began all over
again for Cortislaw.
In due time Sachio returned from
Ais bootless search In the vaults be-
low the Gretxhoffen palace. He was
full Of apprehension. but none the less
must face his sovereign.
'sYour majesty" he began. when at
length that dreaded interview was no
longer to be evaded. He hesitated.
and - he did % his monarch guessed
His news was none too good.
'sWell. well. Sachio. what IL It that
my majesty 10 to Aear?" demanded
Cortislaw. more bad news? You
have not won the secret-you have
host ON last opportunityf"
ssire. II 10 true! Thus far ! have
failed. But still
"You ask more time! Do you think
time II . inexhaustible al . river?
Let me tell you. Il passes. with our
hopes. With wings. Time-more time?
u what you cannot have!"
But. your majesty"
Away with you. Sachio! / have
parleyed with you for the last time.
n I did not need you - an oficer,
your head indeed should hang on our
lpntoo a Z warning to other failures"
Elbow can ! servo your majesty
oa1red Gachio humbly. glad enough to
1oal his head safe on his shoulders
- vt another hour.
can oa4 our armyl Mobilize ct
80 ~ ~ last man! Sec that the
rnro - Nalv With full ammunition
1870 c. the oahcers 1t once.
- - Y 60 l1oest IL ships are ready.
vfn 531toGk = oncs by land and
- a. - = mce % the depart
nrk noN whea Jon have nm
S01mD-l9 tbo land forces.
- nt - 0JOes
NhN yo@najss1f'
- aontnek 0rets.
eD4f - 0u11 ut 1nd their
oBok p REPRESENTATIVES, doNn
nR $3.50 49, among the ruins