Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-05-17

Karl himself led the way to his
study, ignoring the chamberlain, and
stood aside to let Mettlich enter
Then he followed and closed the door,
1T is a long time since you have
honored Karnia with VISIT" Karl OBJ
served. "Wil you sit DOWN."
Karl himself did not sit. He stood
negligently beside the mantel, an arm
stretched along it.
mot since the battle Of the Ar.
SIRE" replied the chancellor dryly. He
had headed an army Of invasion then,
Karl smiled. II hope that now your
errand is more peaceful" /;
For answer the chancellor opened a
portfolio he carried, and fumbled
among its papers. But, having found
the right one, he held it without open
ing It. Before we come to that, sire.
you have here, I believe, detained for
some strange reason, Captain Lar
isch, aide-de-camp"-he paused for eff
fect-"to his royal highness, the crown
prince of Livonia."
Karl glanced up quickly. "Perhaps.
if you will describe this-gentle>
man"
"Nonsense," said the chancellor test
lily. "You have him. We have traced
him here. Although by what authority
YOU hold him I fail to understand. I
am here to find out what you have
done with him."
"Done with him?" echoed Karl. If
as Captain Larisch you refer to mad.
man who the night before last
II do, sire. Mailman is the word"
"He Is a prisoner" Karl said, in a
new tone, stern enough now. "He as
saulted and robbed one Of my men.
he stole certain documents. That he
has not suffered for it already was be-
cause-well, because believed that
the unfortunate distrust between your!
country and mine, e1cellency, was
about to end"
A threat that, undoubtedly. Let the
arrangement between Karnia and LII.
vonia be made, with Hedwig to seal
the bargain, and Milky was safe
enough. But let Livonia demand too
much, or not agree at all, and Milky
was lost. Thus did Milky Larisch play
his small part in the game Of nations.
Suppose" said Karl unctuously.,
S'that we discuss first another more im-
portant matter. confess to q certain
impatience." He bowed slightly.
The chancellor hesitated. Then he
glanced thoughtfully at the paper In
his hand.
Through a long luncheon, tho two
alone and even the servants dis
missed, through longer afternoon.
negotiations went on. Mettlich fought
hard on some points, only to meet de-
feat. Karl stood firm. The great fort-l
resses on the border must hereafter
contain only nominal gardsons. For
the seaport strip he had almost dou-
bled his price. The railroad must be-
completed within two years.
'The Princess HedTlg," Karl said
suddenly. "She has been told, Of
course?"
"Not officially. She knows, how.
ever"
"How does she regard itT
Inc cnanCellOr neSltdleu. AAho
most young women, she would prefer
making her own choice. But that"
he added hastily, "is but a whim. She
is lovable and amiable girl. When
the time comes, she will be willing
Ienough."
Karl stared out through one Of the
heavily curtained windows. he was
mot so sure. And the time had gone
by when he would have enjoyed the
tanning of girl. Now he wanted
peace-was he not paying a price for
dt?-and children to inherit his we'll
managed kingdom. And perhaps-who
'knows2--a little love. Before him rose
"a vision of Hedwig, her frank eyes, her
color that rose and fell, her soft, round
body.
"You have no reason to believe that
she has-looked elsewhere?"
"None, SIRE" said the chancellor
stoutly.
BY late afternoon all was arranged.
papers signed and witnessed. and the