The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times., 1918-10-24

the uonindnt voice. Inc bOy out Ol
the way. the prospect Of the
Princess Hedwig on the throne, a few
demagogues In the public squares,
would be the end"
The king leaned back and closed his
eyes. His thin, apched nose looked
pinched. His face was grny.
AL this" he said. means what
To make the boy n prisoner, TO Gu,
of his few pleasures. and even then
at any time"
"Yes, SIRE" said Mettlich doggedly.
AT any time"
All through the palace people were
sleeping. Prince Ferdinand william
Otto was asleep, and riding again the
little car In the land Of delight. So
that. turning corner sharply, he al.
most fell out Of bed.
On the other side Of the city the
little American boy was asleep also.
At that exact time he was being
tucked up by an entirely efficient and
placid-eyed American mother, who felt
under his head to see that his ear was
not turned forward. She liked close
fitting ears.
Nobody. naturally, was tucking up
Prince Ferdinand william Otto. Or
attending 10 his ears. But, OF course,
there were sentries outside his door,
and valet de chambre to be rung
for. and n number Of embroidered
eagles scattered about on the curtains
and things. and q country surrounding
him which would one day be his, un-
less
"At any time" said General Nett.
Itch, and was grimly silent.
"Wellf" inquired the king. after a
time. you have something to sug.
gest. I take It,"
The old soldier cleared his throat.
Sire" he began. ut Is said that a
chancellor should have but one pas.
sion, his king. have two. my king
and my country"
The king nodded gravely. He knew
both passions. relied on both. And
found them both bit troublesome II
times!
"Once, some years ago, sire, I came
to you with plan. The Princess
Hedwig was child then, and his late
royal highness was-still with us
For that, and for other reasons, your
majesty refused to listen. But things
have changed. Between us and revo.
luton there stand only the frail life
OF boy and an army none too large
i and alraaby parhape aHactad Th.,r
is much discomfort, and the offspring
Of discomfort is anarchy"
The king snarled. But Mettlich had
taken his courage In his hands. and
went on. Their neishbor and hered
itary foe was Karnia. Could they
any longer afford the enmity Of Knr
nia3 One cause Of discomfort was the
expense Of the army, and Of the fortl
fications along the Karnian border. II
Karnla were allied with them, tber.
would be no need Of so great an army
They had the mineral wealth, ant
Karnia the seaports. The old dream
Of the empire, of railway to the sea
would be realized.
He pleaded well. The idea was no'
new. To place the little King OFT,
TX on the throne and keep him ther,
In the face Of opposition would re
quire support from outside. Karnii
would furnish this support. For
price.
The price was the Princess He'd
wig.
THAT Is my plea, SIRE" MettlIcl
finished. "Karl OF Karnla r. anxious
to marry, and looks this way. To al
lay discomfort and growing insurrec
ton, to insure the boys safety and hi
throne, to beat our swords into plough
shares"-here he caught the king
scowl, and added--"to q certain ex
tent, and to make us a commercial
as well as military nntiou, surely
sire. II gains much for US, and lose
US nothing"
But our independence said tn
king souriy.
However, he did not dismiss tn
Idea. The fright OF the afternoon ha'
weakened him. and II Mettlich weT
right the royalist party would nee
outside help to maintain the throne.
; "Karnia I" he said. "The lion an
the lamb, with the lamb Inside tn
lion y And In the meantime the boy
He should be watched slways."
; He has Lussin." Count Luss;n wa
} the crown princes aide-de-camp.
. He needs a man. sire" observe
, the chancellor rather tartiy.
: The king cleared his throat. "Thi
youngster he is so fond of. youn
Larisch, would he please you betterl
. he asked, with ironic Difference.
"A good boy. sire. You may rsca
D | that hfa pnnthnr-W Ha ssnnnaA