The Dermott news., 1918-04-11

sire
Aye" said the king And at forty
bad man changes his nature, ana
purifies himself in marriage Non
sense, Karl will be as he has always
been. But we have gone into this be-
fore Only, l am sorry for Hesswig~
Get rid of this young Larisch-
The chancellor sat rejecting, hir'
chin dropped forward on his breast
lotto will miss him"
"Well. out with It, | may not dis
miss him. What Them
at Is always easy TO send men away.
But Ii is sometimes better to retain
them, and force them TO your Will We
have here an arrangement that is sat
isfactory Larisch is keen, young and
loyal Hedwig has thrown herself ut
him For that, sire, she is responsible.
not he"
Then get rid of her" growied the
king.
The chancellor rose. III the situation
is left TO me, sire" he said, Il Will
promise two things. That otto viii
keep his friend. and that the Princess
Hedwig will bow to your wishes with
out further argument
"Do 1t, and God help you" said the
king, again with the flicker of amuse-
ment.
The chancellor had gone home
walking heavily along the darken1ng,
streets Once again he had conquered
The reins remained in his guar0ed oio
hands. And he was about to put the
honor of the country into the keeping
of the son of Maria Menrad, whom he
had once loved.
SO now he sat in his study, ana
waited When he heard Nikky's quick
step as he came along the tile passage.
he picked up his pipe.
Milky saluted. and made his way
across the room In the twilight. with
the ease of familiarity. Il am late.
sir" he apOlogized. I'VE found our
man, and he is safely jailed. He made
no resistance"
"Sit down." said the chancellor
And. touching a bell. he asked Ma
thilde for coffee. $50 we have him,
he reflected. The next thing Is to-
discover If he knows who his assaLi--
ants were. That, and the person for
you for another reason. What is this
about the Princess Hedwig2"
THE Princess Hedwig">
What folly, boy! A young girl who
cannot know her own mind And for
such a bit of romantic tritiinG you
would ruin yourself. 1t Is ruin You
know that"
Milky remained silent, a little sui
len.
The princess went to the king with
her story this evening" The hoy
started "A cruel proceeding. but the
young are always cruel. The expected
result has followed: The king wishes
you sent away"
Il am at his command, sir"
The chancellor filed his pipe from
n bowl near by working deliberately.
Milky sat still, rather rigid
May l ask" he said at last. That
you say to the king that the responsi-
bility is mine? No possible blame CHI
attach TO the Princess Hedwig. 1 love
her, and-I am not clever. show what
feel"
THE immediate result" said the
chancellor cruelty, "will doubtless he
putting forward Of the date OF her
marriage" Nikky's hands clenched.
"A further result would be your dis
missal from the army. One does not
do such things as you have done. light
ly."
Lightly" said Milky Lariscfi.
"Heaven!"
But" continued the chancellor. Il
have a better way. | have faith. for
one thing, In your blood. The son OF
Maria Menrad must be-his mothers
son. And the crown prince is AT
tached to you. Not for your sake, but
for his, l am inclined TO be lenient.
What l shall demand for that leniency"
is that no word of love again pass be-
tween you and the Princess Hedwig"
ut would be easier to go away" =
Milky closed his eyes. 1t WAS GET.
ting to be a habit, just as some people,
crack their knuckles.
1--WE need our friends about u.s. the
chancellor continued. 1.-The carnival
is coming, always dangerous time for
us. The king grows weaker day by
day. A crisis is impending for all of
us, and We need you"
Milky rose. steady enough now, but
white to the lips.
II give my word, sir" he said. II
shall say no word of-of how 1 feel tD
Hedwig Not again. She knows-anSl
/ think" he added proudly, that rho
knows shall not change. That 1 shall
always"
Exactly" said the chancellor. n
was the very pitch of the kings dry
old voice. "Of course she knows, be-
ing a woman. And now, good night