Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-02-18
CHAPTER XXxIv tContinuedn

NIkKY, however, proclaimed himself !
So the Crown Prince put away the cards !
which belonged TO Miss Braithwaite and |
with which she played solitaire In the
evenings. Then he lounged to the win
dow, his hands In his pockets.
There was something on his mind
which the Chancellor's reference to He'd
wigs picture had recalled. Something
he wirhed TO say to Milky, without look
ing at him,
SO he cleared his throat and looked
out the window, and said. very casually:
"Hilda says that IIedwg is going to
get married"
80 | hear Highness."
"She doesn't seem 10 be very happy
about II, She's crying most of the time"
1t was Nikky's turn to clear his
throat. Marriage is a serious matter
/ he said. ut is not to be gone into
/ lightly"
/ once, when / asked you about mar
riage, you said marriage was when two
people loved each other and wanted to
he together the rest of their lives
Welt" hedged Milky. that is the
idea, rather"
II should think" said Prince Ferdl-
nand William Otto. slightly red, that
you Woulu marry HtT yOuESfll'
Milky being beyond speech for an in
slant and looking had His Royal High
ness but seen him, very tragic and some
what rigid, the Crown Prince went on:
shes a very nice girl he said; Il
think she would make good wife"
There was something Of reproach in
his tone. He had confidently planned
that Milky would marry Iiedwig, and
that they could all live on forever in
] ba the things
going, Milky might marry anybody and
go away to live, and he would lose him.
Yes" said Milky, in a strange voice
"she-I am sure she would make good
wife"
At which Prince Ferdinand William
Otto turned and looked at him. Il wish
you would marry her yourself" he said
1 with his nearest approach TO impatence
II think she'd be willing. I'll ask her,
II you want me to-"
Half-past three then, and Milky try
ing to explain, within the limits of the
boys understanding of life, his position,
Members of royal families. he said
looking far away, over the childs head.
had to do many things for the good Of
the country. And marrying was one OF
them. Something OF old Mettllch's creed
of prosperity for the land he gave. some
thing of his own hopelessness, too. with
out knowing 1t. He sat- bent forward,
his hands swung between his knees. and
tried to visualize, for Otto's understand
ing and his own heartache, the results
Of such marriage.
Some of It the boy grasped. navy
ships, d railroad to the sea--those he
could understand. Treaties We're beyond
his colnprehension. And with child's
singleness of idea, he returned to the
marriage.
"Tn sure she doesn't care about II.
he said at last. III were King would
not let her do it. And''-he sat very
erect and swung his short legs--''when
grow up, ] shall fight for a navy, If
want one, and i shal marry whoever
! like"
At uulrter to four Olga Loschel
was announced. She made the curtis,
inside the door that palace ceremonial
demanded and inquired for the COVER
ness. Prince Ferdinand william Otto
who had risen at her entrance, Offered
to see II she still slept.
"I think you are n very good doctor,
he said, smiling, and went out to Mis-
Bralthwaite's sitting room.
1t was then that Olga Loschek playe'
the last card and won. She move'
quickly to Nikky's side.
"I have a mess ige for you" she said
A light leaped into Nikky's eyes
For me?"
do you know where my poudoir Is!
I--yes, Countess
"If you will go there at once and wal
some one will see YOU there as soon a
nossible" She put her hand on hi
arm. Don't be foolish and proud" sh
said "She is sorry--about last nigh
and she is very unhappy
The light faded out of Nikky's eye
She was unhappy and he could do notl
ing. They had a way, In the palace, {
binding ones hands and leaving or
helpless. lie could not even go 10 he
~ cannot go, Countess" he said Isl
must understand. Today OF all iys--
"you mean that you cannot leave II
Crown Prince?" She shrugged h
shoulders. you. too Never have
seen SO many faint hearts, such rolllr
ewes. such shaking knees And Il
what, Because a few timid souls 8
n danger that does not exist"
II think II does exist" said Nikl
obstinately.
81 am 10 take the word to her th
that you will not conner
.sThat l cannot"
"you are a very foolish boy" said 4
countess, watching him. And sin
Won are SO fearful. ! myself will rema
here There are sentries 1T the doo
and a double guard everywhere. VIII
In the name Of all that Is absurd, c.
possibly happen"
THAT was when she won For NikI
who has never been, In all this histoi
ANYTHING of hero and all OF the !
mantle aud loying boy--NikKy waver
and fell. ,,,,,,, i.
returned. 1t was with the word that N
.