The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1918-06-05

madame, If these papers are turned
over TO the authoritiesP
She shrugged her shoulders. And
now Number Seven rose, a tall figure
of mystery, and spoke at length in n
cultivated, softly iRtoned voice. The
countess, listening, felt the voice
vaguely familiar, as were the burning
eyes behind the mask.
at is our hope, madame" he said,
chat you viii make it unnecessary
for the committee of ten to use those
papers. We have no quarrel with
won. en-. We wish rather a friend than
an enemy. The committee of ten, to
those sho know its motives, has the
highest and most loyal of ideals-to
the country"
His voice took on a new, almost a
fanatic note. They had watched the
gradual decay of the country, he said.
Its burden of taxation grew greater
each year. The masses sweated and
toiled, to carry on their backs the dead
weight of the aristOcracy and the
throne. The iron hand of the chancel-
| lor held everything; an old king who
would die, was dying now, and after
| that n boy, nominal ruler only, while
| the chancellor continued his hard rule.
| And now, as If that were not enough,
! there was talk of an alliance with
Karnia, an alliance which, carried
through, would destroy the hope of a
| republic.
The countess stared.
"The price of the alliance, madame,
| IS the Princess Hedwig in marriage.
The committee, which knows all
things, believes that you have reason
to dislike this marriage"
| Save that she clutched her cloak
more closely, the countess made no
move. But there was soft stir among
the figures. Perhaps, after all, the
committee as whole did not know all
| things.
ITO prevent this alliance, madame,
is our first aim. There are others to
| follow. But"-he bent forward-"the
king will not live many days. 1t is
our hope that that marriage will not
occur before his DEATH"
BY this time Olga Loschek knew
very well where she stood. The com.
mittee was propitiatOry. She was not
| In danger, save as it might develop
They were, in measure, putting their
case.
"King Karl has broken faith before
He will not support Livonia until he
has received his price. He Is de
termined on the marriage"
"a marriage of expediency," sale
the countess impatiently.
The speaker for the committed
shrugged his shoulders. perhaps" ht
replied. although there are those OF
us who think that in this matter Of
expediency, Karl gives more than HI
receives.
"The matter lies thus, madame. The
chancellor is now in Karnia. Doubt
less he will return with the agreemen
signed. We shall learn that In a day
or so. We do not approve Of thi!
alliance for various reasons, and W.
intend to take steps to prevent II
The paper itself is nothing. Blu
plainly, countess, we need friend II
the palace, one who is In the con
fidence of the royal family"
"And for such friendship, l am t
secure safetyf"
Eyes, madame. But that Is not all
Let me tell you briefly how thing
stand with us. We have, supporting
us, certain bodies, workingmen'
guilds, a part Of the student body, no
so much of the army as we woul'
wish. Dissatisfied folk, madame, wh'
would exchange the emblem O
tyranny for freedom. On the an
nouncement of the kings death. II
every part of the kingdom will go vi
the cry Of liberty. But the movement
must start here. The citt must rise
against the throne. And Against that
there are two Obstacles He paused
The clock licked, and water dripped
into the tin pail with metallic splashes
"The first is this marriage. The sec
ond-is the Crown Prince Ferdinand
william Otto"
The countess recoilh. "No"
"a moment, madape. You thinl
badly of u.s." UndS his mask ths
countess OWNED old smile. 1T II
not necessary to contemplate violence
There are other Methods. The boy
could be taken ovf the border, and
hidden until the republic is firmly es
tablished. After hat. he is uyim
portant."
; The countess, gu pale looked At