The Elbert County tribune. [volume] (Elbert, Elbert County, Colo.) 18??-1920, 1918-10-04
CHAPTER xiI-continued.


III
But long after Milky had gone he sat
in the darkness. He felt old and tired
forget, as he himself had not forgot
ten.
Peter Niburg was shot at dawn the
next morning. He went, a coward, to
his death, held between two guards
and crying piteously. But he died a
brave man. Not once in the long hours
of his interrogation had be betrayed
the name Of the Countess Loschek.
.
The Crown Prince Ferdinand VIII
liam Otto of Livonia was having a
birthday. Now. a birthday for crown
prince of Livonia Is not a matter of a
cake with candles on 1t. and having
his ears pulled, once for each year and
an extra one to grow on. Nor of n
holiday from lessons. and a picnic in
spring woods. Nor party, with chill
dren frolicking and scratching the best
furniture.
In the first place, he was Weakened
at dawn and taken to early service in
the chapel, a solemn function, with the
court assembled and slightly sleepy.
The crown prince, who was trying to
look his additional dignity of years
sat and stood as erect as possible, and
yawDed only once.
At eleven O'Clock came word that the
king was too ill to have him to
luncheon, but that he would see him
for few moments that afternoon.
Prince Ferdinand William Otto, who
was diagramming the sentence, "Abra-
ham Lincoln freed the slaves in Amer
ica," and doing 1t wrong. looked up in
dismay.
I'D like to know what's the use of
having birthday" he declared re-
belliously.
day gifts. So there were no gifts
None, that is, until the riding hour
came. and Milky, subverter of all dis
cipline. He had brought fig lady,
wrapped in paper.
IT'S quite fresh" he said, as they
walked together across the place.
"fll give 1t to you when we get to the
riding school. 1 saw the woman my
self take 1t out of her basket. So 1t
has no germs on it."
That afternoon. attired in his uni
form of the guards, the crown prince
received the delegation of citizens In
the great audience chamber Of the pal
ace. solitary little figure, standing
on the red carpet before the dais at
the end The chancellor stood near
the boy, resplendent in his dress uni
form, blue ribbon across his shirt
front, over which Mathilde had taken
hours. He was the Mettlich of the
public eye now. hard of features, i'm
passive, infiexible.
He had staged the affair well. The
crown prince. standing alone. so small,
so appealing. against his magnificent
background, was a picture to touch the
hardest. Not for nothing had Mettlich
studied the people. read their essential
simplicity. their answer to any appeal
to the heart These men were men of
familyey Surely no father of a son
could See that lonely child and not
offer him loyalty.
With the same wisdom, he had given
the boy small instruction, and no
speech of thanks. LET him say what
comes into his head" Mettlich had
reasoned. st will at least be
spontaneous and boyish."
The first formalities over, and the
crown prince having shaken hands
nine times, the spokesman stepped for
ward. He had brought a long, written
speech. which had already been given
to the newspapers. But after a mo-
ment's hesitation he folded it up.
Your royal highness." he said, look
ing down, Il have here long speech,
but all that it contains 1 can say brief
ly. 1t is your birthday, highness. We
come. representing many others. to pre-
sent to you our congratulations. and
the love of your people. 1t is our
hope"-he paused. Emotion and ex-
element were getting the better of
him-'our hope. highness. that you
will have many happy years. To fur
Their that hope. we are here today to
say that we, representing all classes,
ars your most loyal subjects. We have
f,pgSt for his majesty the king. and
Unnecessary we will fight for you"
He glanced beyond the child at the
council. and his tone was strong and
imprisoned. But today we are here,
not to speak of war, but to present
to you ogr congratulations, our de-
votion. and our loyalty"
\ Also a casket. He had forgotten