Sharp County record., 1917-06-15

upon his table lay private letter from
the German ambassador in London.
you will recall my conversation re-
garding the Countess Won Leutenberg
-eh?"
Perfectly" was my reply.
Il told you that should require
you to introduce me-" he said. "Well,
| want you to do so this evening. She
has taken a box at the KOnigliche
Opera tonight, where they are to play
'Falstaff.' 1 shall be there, and you
will be with me. Then you will in
troduce me to your pretty friend. I'm
derstand?"
A PuzzIing Sentence.
That night, in accordance with my
instructions, sat in the emperOr's box
with the crown prince, Tresternitz,
and two personal adjutants, and, rec
OgniZing the Countess Won Leutenberg
in box opposite, accompanied by an
elderly lady, l took the crown prince
| round, and there presented her to him,
greatly to her surprise and undisguised
delight.
The prince and the countess chatted
together while I sat with her elderly
companion. Then, when we had with
drawn my imperial master exclaimed: |
"Ah my dear Heltzendorff. Why,
she is one Of the prettiest women in
all Berlin! Surely it is unfortunate
most unfortunate"
What was unfortunate? I was fur
ther puzzled by that last sentence, yet |
l dare not ask any explanation, and |
we went back to our own box.
After our return to the palace the
crown prince, who was standing in one |
Of the corridors talking with the slim, |
fair-haired Baroness Won Wedel, one |
Of his wifes ladies-in-waiting, left her |
and beckoned me into an adjoining
room.
81 wish you, HetzendOrff, to call |
upon the Countess Won Leutenberg at |
nine o'clock tomorrow evening. She
will expect you."
| looked at his highness, much puz-
zled. How did he know that the pretty
countess would expect me?
But he gave me no time to reply,
merely turning upon his heel, and |
stridlng down the corridor to the pri-
vate apartments.
"You Are Witness He Has Drawn His
Sword Upon the Heir to the
Throne"
Punctually at nine o'clock that win
try evening l called at the Lenne-
strasse, but Josef the elderly man
servant, informed me that his mistress
was engaged, adding that his imperial
highness the crown prince had paid a
surprise call.
"rhe crown prince here !" I gasped,
astounded.
Eyes, count. And, further, my mis-
tress is in high glee, for my master
returned this morning quite unexpect-
edly from London. He has been out
at the ministry for foreign affairs all
the evening, and | expect him home
at any moment. The crown prince or.
dered me to ask you to wait him here"
Count Won Leutenberg in Berlin!
What did 1t mean? He was absurdly
jealous, | recolected. He might return
at any moment and find the crown
prince alone In the countess drawing
room. If so, the situation might GER
tainly be most unpleasant one.
Hardly had the thought crossed my
mind when | heard the count enter,
his spurs clnklng and his saber rat.
Ting as he strobe up the stairs.
| crept forth, listening breathlessly.
A few seconds later I heard the
counts voice raised in anger and high,
bitter words, Next moment / sprang
up The stairs and, d0shIng into the
room, found the pretty countess stand.
Ing near the window white and rigid
MS a statue while the two men In uni.
form faced each other. Won Leuten-
berg's countenancc was distorted with
rage MS he abused the crown prince,
and openly charged him with having
brought about his exile TO London,
His highness made no reply, but only
smiled sOrcastlcnlly and shrugged his
narrow shoulders
So enraged the other became at this
latter gesture that, with sudden
movement, he drew his sword.
The countess shreked and swooned
as sprong forward and stayed her
husbands hand. i
It was u dramatic moment. The
count instantly realized the enormIty
Of his crime, and his hand dropped.
Enough !" cried the crown prince,
waving his adversary aside. Then,
turning to me, he sOId In a calm, hard
voice, ,
"lleltzendorft, you are witness that
this man has drawn his sword upon /
the heir TO The throne"
And with those naughty words he
bowed stlilly and strobe out of the
room. d
A Message From the Emperor. d
Two hours later / was commanded Il
70 thp kniappia nppapnon nnd f.,,.t | ,