The times-herald. [volume] (Burns, Harney County, Or.) 1896-1929, 1918-06-29


! and quiet ten pnrty. Tledwlg had
taken up her position by II window,
and was consplcuously silent. Behind
her were tile suft ring of silver ngnlnsf
china, the countess guy tones, Kan's
Sunve ones, assuming gravity, ns he
inquired as to his mnjesty's health |;
| The ArchducileHs AnAunclnia pretend
| ing u gollcltudo she did not feel. And
all forced, all artificial.
GRANDMOTHER" iledwig whispered
| from her window TO the nustere. old
bronze figure in the place, was Il
| like this with you, ut first? Did you
/ shivcr when he touched your handf
| And doesn't II mntter, after II Year,"
VERY feeble" said the nrchduchess'
voice behind her, but so buve--u
lcsson to ug all -
"TIc has had II long ana conspicuous
urcpr' Knrl observed. "It Is sud, but
we must all come 10 1t. hope he will
10 able To see me-"
"iledwlgw said her mother. sharp
ly, "your ten Is getting cold"
Hcdwig turned toward the room,
Listlcssness gave her nm added dignity.
new charm. Karl's eyes famed ns
he watched her. Even her coldness
nppcncd 10 him. lie had feeling
that the c0ldncss wns only young
girls armor. that under 1t was deep
ly passionate woman. The thought of
seeing her come to deep. vibrant life
In his arms thrilled him.
when he carried her tea to her. he
bent over her. 'Pleasel" he said.
TRY to like me. l."
"rm sorry" IIedwIg said quickly.
Mother has forgotten the lemon"
Karl smiled ana. struggling his
shoulders, fetched the lemon. Fright.
nowf" he inquired. "And aren't we
going to have talk together7"
III you wish IT, dare say we shall"
Majesty said Iillda, frowning Into
her teacup. II see marriage for
you" She ignored her mothers scowl
and tilted her cup to examine IT,
~ marrlngew Kari Joined her, and
pecred with mock anxiety AT the tea
grounds "Strungc that my fate
should be confined In so small COM
pass A happy marriage? Which am
I?'
'The long yellow leaf. Yes. It looks
happy. But you may be rather
shocked when | tell you"
"Shocked?
II think" said IIllda, grlnnlng, that
you are going To marry me-"
Delightful
"And we are going to have"
"lIilda - cried the archduchess fret
fully, do stop that nonsense and let
us talk. | was trying to recall. this
morning. she said To Karl, ''when you
last visited us" She knew 1t quite
well, but she preferred having Karl
think she had forgotten. ut was, j
believe. just before Hubert"
Yes" said Karl grnvely, lust be-
fore"
"Otto was bnby then"
"a very smnll child. remember
that ! was afraid TO handle him."
"Ile II n curious boy. old beyond his |
yenrs. Rather n little prig, | think.
He has nm English governess. and she |
has mndc him quite II little woman"
Karl laughed, hut Hedwlg flushed.
"Ile Is not that sort nj all" she de-
clnred stoutly. "He Is lonely and-and |
rather pathetic. The truth Is that no
one really cares for him. except"
Except Captain LarIsch :! said the
smoothly. "YOu and he,
lIedwig, have done your best by him,
surely"
The bit of byplay was not lost on
KarI--the sudden stiffcning OF He'd
Olga had been right, then. Trust her
for knowing facts when they were dis
agreeable. His eyes became set and
haIS, too, had any noticed.
There were ways to denl with such u
situation, Of course. They were CIV
Ing him this girl to secure their own
safety, and she knew II. Had he not
been so mad about her he might have
Ditied her, but he felt no pity, only II
deep and rcsentful determination to
get rid OF Milky, and then to warm
her by his own fire. lie might have
10 break her first. After that manner
had many queens OF Karnia come to
the throne. He smiled behind his
small mustnche.
When tea was almost over, the
crown prince was announced. He
came In, rather nervously, with his
hands thrust In his trousers pockets.
He WAS very shiny with soap aud
water and his hair was still damp
from parting. In his tailless black
Iacket, his long gray trouse s, and his
'ound Elton collar, he looked like n
very anxious little schoolboy. and not
'oynl at all.
Greetings over, and having re-
Iuested that his tea be half milk with
our Jumps of sugar, he carried his
up over beside Hcdwig, ana snt down
IN a chair. Followed n short silence.
With the nrchduchess busy with The
ea things, Olga Loschek watching