The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1918-04-26

famed. Indifferent mother though she
was, she made capital of fear fol
Hedwig's happiness.
At last she succeeded In Irritating
the king-a more difficult thing now
than in earlier times, but not so hard
matter at that. He listened quietly
until she had finished, and then sent
her away. When she had got part
| way to the door, however, he called
her back. And since a king is a king,
even If he is ones father and very old,
she came.
"Just one word more" he said in
his thin, old, high-bred voice. Much
of your unhappiness was Of your own
making. You, and you only, know how
much. But nothing that you have said
can change the situation. I am merely
compelled to make the decision 6lone,
and soon. / have not much time"
So, after all, was the matter Of the
Duchess Hedwig's marriage arranged,
a composite outgrowth of expediency
and obstinacy, Of defiance and anger.
And so was it FASTENED.
Irritation gave the king strength.
That afternoon were summoned in
haste the members Of his council-fat
old Friese, young Marschall with the
rat face, austere Bayerl with the
white skin and burning eyes, and 9TH
ers. And to them all the king dis
closed his royal will. There was some
demur. But, after all, the kings will
was dominant. Friese could but voice
his protest and relapse into greasy
silence.
The chancellor sat silent during the
conclave, silent, but intent. On each
speaker he turned his eyes, and waited
until at last Karls proposal. with its
promises, was laid before them in full.
Then, and only then, the chancellor
rose. His speech was short. He told
them of what they all knew, their own
He spoke but word OF
the crown prince, but that softly. And
he drew for them q picture Of the |
future that set their hearts to glowing |
"a throne secure, a greater kingdom, |
freedom from the costs Of war, har- |
Dor by the sea.
The battle, which was no battle at |
Ill, was won. He had won. The coun-
.ry had won. The crown prince had
won. Only Hedwig had lost. And
,nly Mettlich knew just how she had
ost..
The necessity for work brought the
ding the strength to do 1T. Mettlich
'emained with him. Boxes were
brought from vaults, unlocked and ex-
lmined. Secretaries came and went.
1t eight o'clock a frugal dinner was
pread in the study, and they ate 1T
.lmost literally over state documents.
On and on, until midnight or there
bouts. Then they stopped. The thing
vas arranged. Nothing was left now
ut to carry the word to Karl.
Two things were necessary: Haste.
he king, having determined it, would
ose no time. And dignity. The grand
aughter of the king must be offered
nth ceremony. No ordinary kings
then, but some dignitary Of
he court.
To this emergency Mettlich rose like
ne doughty old warrior and statesman
nat he was. eff you are willing, SIRE"
e said, as he rose, II will go myself
"WhenT
"Since 1t must be done, the sooner
he better. Tonight, SIRE"
'"To the capital?"
"Not so far. Karl is hunting. He Is
t Wedding"
He went almost Immediately, and
lie king summoned his Wallets, and was
ot to bed. But long after the auto
obile containing Mettlich and two Sc
.et agents was on the road toward
le mountains, he tossed on his mar
w bed. To what straits had they
,me indeed! He closed his eyes
EARLY. Something had gone out OF
s life. He did not realize at first 9
hat it was. When he did, he smiled L
8 old grim smile In the darkness.
He had lost a foe. More than any c
ing, perhaps, he had dearly loved I
e.