River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1918-05-02

Something like malice showed In the
agents face. "Then you also know,
sire, that it is this Captain Larisch
with whom rumor couples the name Of
the Princess Hedwig." He stepped back
pace or two at sight of Karl's face.
you requested such information, sire"
For answer, Karl pointed to the door.
For some time after he had dis
missed the agent, Karl paced his
library alone. Kaiser brought no un.
verified information. Therefore the
thing was true Therefore he had had
his enemy in his hand, and now was
pledged to let him go. For a time,
then, Karl paid the penalty of many
misdeeds. His triumph was ashes in
his mouth.
What if this boy, infatuated with
Hedwig, had hidden somewhere on the
road Olga Loschek's letter? What,
then, if he recovered it and took it to
Hedwig? What if
But at last he sent for the prisoner
upstairs, and waited for him with both
jealousy and fear in his eyes.
Five minutes later Milky Larisch
was ushered into the red study, and
having bowed, an insolent young bow
at that, stood and eyed the king.
81 have sent for you to release YOU"
said Karl.
Milky drew a long breath. " am
grateful, sire"
you have been interceded for by
the chancellor of Livonia, General
Mettlich, who has just gone"
Milky bowed.
Karl fixed him with cold eyes. "But
before you take leave of u.s." he said
ironically, 81 should like the true story
of the night before last. Somehow,
somewhere, letter intended for me
was exchanged for blank paper.
want that letter"
81 know no more than you, sire.
1t is not reasonable that would have
| taken the risk / took for an envelope
containing nothing"
s'For that matter" said his majesty,
'there was nothing reasonable about
anything you did,"
And now Karl played his trump card,
played it with watchful eyes on Mix
ky's face. He would see if report
spoke the truth, If this blue-eyed boy
was in love with Hedwig. He was a
Jealous man, this Earl of the cold
eyes, jealous and passionate. Not as
king, then, watching a humble soldier
| of Livonia, but as man to man, he
gazed at Milky.
"For fear that loyalty keeps you
l-sJ T - hot 10 Al
| troubles between Karnia and Livonia
are over"
II do not understand, sire"
Karl hesitated. Then, with his
twisted smile, he cast the rigid
etiquette of such matters to the winds.
'It is very simple" he said. "There
will be no more trouble between these
two neighboring countries, because
marriage has today been arranged--a
marriage between the Princess Hedwig,
his majesty's granddaughter, and my
SELF
For a moment Milky Larisch closed
his eyes.
The anniversary of the death Of
Prince Hubert dawned bright and
sunny. The place showed thin COW
ering of snow, which chung, wet and
sticky, to the trees; but by nine
o'clock most of it had disappeared, and
Prince Ferdinand William Otto was
informed that the excursion would
take place.
Two motors took the party, by back
streets, to the landing stage. In the
first were Annunciata, Hedwig, and
the countess, and at the last moment
Otto had salvaged Miss Braithwaite
from the second car, and begged a
place for her with him. A police agent
4 sat beside the chauffeur. Also another
car just ahead, contained other
agents, by Mettlich's order before his
departure--a plain black motor with
out the royal arms.
In the second machine followed
part Of the suite, Hedwig's lady 10
waiting, two gentlemen Of the court,
| in parade dress, and Father Gregory,
come from his monastery at Etzel to
visit his old friend, the king.
| At the landing stage small crowd
had gathered en- seeing the red carpet
laid and the gilt ropes put up, which
indicated royal visit. A small girl.
with hastily secured bouquet in her
hot hands, stood nervously waiting. In
Difference to the anniversary, the flow
ers were tied with a black ribbon.
| Annunciata grumbled when she saw
the crowd, and the occupants Of the
first car looked them over carefully. 1t
remained for Hedwig to spy the black
ribbon. In the confusion, she slipped
over to the little girl, who went quite
white with excitement. "They are
lovely" Hedwig whispered, "but please
take of the black ribbon" The child
eyed her anxiously. sit will come to
pieces, highness.'
"Take the ribbon from your hair. 1t
will be beautiful"
Which was done! But, IS was not
unnatural, the child forgot her speech,
and merely thrust the bouquet, tied
Il h.