The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1918-04-19

O1 SCI
ment, that her peace was being threat.
ehed, her position assailed. And in
her resentment she included the king
himself. He should have done better,
Ana something Of this she did not
hesitate to say. "Karnia Is quiet
enough she finished, a final thrust.
"karnia is better off. A lowland.
most Of it, and fertile" But a not
or color showed In his old cheeks. 81
am glad you spoke Of Earnia. What.
ever plans we make, Karnia must be
considered"
why? karnia does not consider
u.s."
lie raised his hand. "You are
wrong. Just now, Karnia is doing us
the honor of asking an alliance win
US. A matrimonial alliance"
The archduchess was hardly sur.
prised, as N may believe. But she
was not minded to yield too easily.
Inc old resentment against her father
ilalned. Indifferent mother though she
was, she made capital Of a fear for
Hedwig's happiness.
bhS ouSNtCQsu III lTElVHTlnQ
the klhg-a more difficult thing now
than in earlier times, but not so hard
II matter Mt that. He listened quietly
until h had finished, and then sent
der away. When she had got part
way to the door, however, he called
ner back. And since a king is a king.
even If he Is ones father andNvery old.
she came.
Just one word more" he said. in
MS 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. l am merely
compelled TO make the decision alone.
ana soon. l 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 trencth
mat afternoon We're in
haste the members Of his council-fot
OLD Friese. young Marschall with the
rat face, austere Bayerl with the
"hite skin and burning eyes, and 9TH
ers. And to them all the king dis
closed his royal will. There was some
deinurs 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 Karl's 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
insecurity He spoke but a word of
the crown prince, but that softly. And
ne drew for them n picture of the
future that set their hearts to glowing
"A throne secure, a greater kingdom.
freedom from the costs Of war, a har.
Dor by the sea.
The battle, which was ne battle at
all, was o He had won. The coun.
try had won. The crown prince had
won. Only Hedwig had lost. And
only Mettlich knew just how she had
lost.
The necessity for work brought the
king the strength to do it. Mettlich
remained with him. Boxes were
brought from vaults, unlocked and ex-
ahmed. Secretaries came and went.
At eight O'Clock u frugal dinner was
spread in the study, and they ate 1t
almost literally over state documents.
On and on, until midnight or there.
abouts. Then they stopped. The thing
was arranged. Nothing was left now
but to carry the word to Karl.
Two things we're necessary: Haste.
The kim, having determined IL, would
lose no time. And dignity. The grand
daughter of the King must he offered
with ceremony. No ordinary kings
messenger, then, but some dignitary Of
the court.
To this emergency Mettlich rose like
the doughty old warrior and statesman