The Dermott news., 1918-02-07


 "A princess duty Is to think. Where did you go?"
 ITO the park sir. I-I thought I'd 1 like to see the park by myself. It's very hard to enjoy things with Miss Braithwaite. sir. She does not really enjoy the things I like. Nikky and l l."
 By Milky you mean Lieutenant Larisch?"
 "Yes. sir"
 "Go on."
 "We like the same things sir-the l Pike's-Peak-or Bust. and all that"
 The king raised himself on his el- bow. What was that?" he demanded.
 Prince Ferdinand William Otto hlushed, and explained. It was Rob- hy's name for the peak at the top of the scenic railway. He had been on the railway. He had been-his en- thusasm carried him away. Ills cheeks flushed He sat forward on the edge of his chair and gesticulated.
 II was awfully happy, sir" he ended. "It feels like flying, only safer. And the lights are pretty. It's like fairy l land There were two or three times when 1t seemed as if we'd turn over, or leap the track. But we didn't"
 The king lay back and thought. More i than anything in the world he loved this boy. But the occasion demanded strong hand You were happy" he said. You were disobedient, you were causing grave anxiety and dis tress-and you were happy The first l duty of prince is to his country. His l first lesson is to obey laws. He must always obey certain laws. A king Is 1 but the servant of his people. Some day you will be the king. You are be- ing trained for that high office now. And yet you would set the example of insubordnation, dtsobedience, and reckless disregard of the feelings of others"
 Yes sir" said Prince Ferdinand l William Otto, feeling very small and ashamed
 Not only that You slipped away. You did not go openly. You sneaked off. like Il thief. Are you proud of it7"
 No, sir"
 T shall" said the king. require no promise from you. Promises are poor things to hold to I leave this matter in yeur own hands, Qtto. You will be punished by Miss Braithwaite, and for the next ten days you will not visit me. You may % now.'
 Otto get off his chair. He was feel ing exceedingly crushed. Good night, sir" he said. And waited for his grandfather 10 extend his hand. But the old king lay looking straight ahead, With his mouth set in grim lines, and his hands folded over his breast.
 At the door the crown prince turned and bowed. His grandfather's eyes were fixed on the two gold eagles over the door, but the photograph on the table appeared to be smiling at him.
 Until late that night General Mett- lich and the king talked together. The king had been lifted from his bed and sat propped in a great chair. Above his shabby dressing gown his face showed gaunt and old. In straight chair facing him sat his old friend and chancellor.
 What 1t has shown Is not entirely l bad. said the king. after pause. 'The boy has initiative. And he made no attempt at evasion. He is essential ly truthful"
 What 1t has also shown. sire. is that no protection is enough. When I, who love the lad, and would-when 1 could sleep, and let him get away, as did"
 ''The truth is" said the king, i've are both of us getting old" He tapped with his gnarled fingers on the blanket that lay over his knees. "rhe truth Is also" he observed moment later, that the boy has very few pleasures. He is alone great deal"
 General Mettlich raised his shaggy head. Many years of wearing a sOl- dier's cap had not injured his heavy gray hair. He had bristling eyebrows, white now, and q short fighting mus tache. When he was irritated, or dis agreed with any one, his eyebrows came down and the mustache went up. Many years of association with his hiuE udu ElNeIi HiiH tut Ilsul tO to him as man to man. They even quarreled now and then. It was a brave man who would quarrel with old Ferdinand II.
 So now his eyebrows came down and his mustache went up. How alone, siref"
 You do not regard that bigoted English woman as companion, do you?"
 "She is thoughtful and conscien- tious woman, sire." he said stiffly. It | happened that he had selected her. "She does her duty. And as to the boy being lonely. he has no time to bo lonely. His tutors" How old is he?" "Ten next month." The king said nothing foP a fimA