The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1918-04-10

her hands together lest. in spite of
her, they reach out toward him..
Did she fancy II, or did the figure
salute her? Then came the quick ring
of heels on the old stone pavement.
She knew his footsteps, even as she
knew every vibrant, eager infection of
his voice. He went away, across the
square, like one who, having bent his
knee to a saint. turns back to the bust
ness Of the world.
In the boudoir the archduchess had
picked up some knitting to soothe her
tangled nerves. "You may play now,
Hilda." she spid.
Annunciata dozed, and Hilda played
softly. The countess opportunity had
come. She put down the dreary en-
broidery with which she filed the
drearier evenings, and moved to the
window. She walked quietly, like n
cat.
Her first words to Hedwig were
those of Peter Niburg as he linked
arms with his enemy and started down
the street. "a fine night, highness,"
| she said.
Hedwig raised her eyes to the stars.
at is very lovely"
"a night to spend out-of-doors. in
stead of being shut up" She
finished her sentence with a shrug of
the shoulders.
Hedwig was not fond of the count
ess. She did not know why. The
truth being, of course, that between
them lay the barrier of her own in
nocence. When the countess arm
touched hers, she drew aside.
Tonight" said the lady in waiting
dreamily, II should like to be in a
motor, speeding over mountain roads.
1 come from the mountains, you know.
And / miss them"
Hedwig moved, little impatiently.
but as the countess went on. she lis
tened. After all, Milky, too, came
from the mountains. And because she
was sorry for the countess, who was
homesick, and perhaps because just
then she had to speak to some one,
she turned to her at last with the thing
that filled her mind.
''Thls marriage" she said bitterly.
as 1t talked about? Am l the only
one in the palace who has not known
about it?"
mo, highness, / had heard nothing.
OF course, there are always rumors."
"As to the other, the matter my
mother referred to-" Hedwig held her
head very high, "I-she was unjust.
Am l never to have any friendsT
"Friends, highness? One may have
friends, of course. 1t Is not friendship
they fear"
"What then?"
"a lover" said the countess softly.
ut is impossible to see Captain Lar
isch in your presence, and not
realize"
go on"
"And not realize, highness, that he
is in love with you"
"How silly!' said the Princess He'd
wig, with glowing eyes.
"But highness !" implored the count
ess. eff only you would use a little
caution. Open defiance is its own de-
feat"
81 am not ashamed of what / do"
said Hedwig hotly.
ASHAMED! OF course not. But
things that are harmless in others in
your position-yOu are young. You
should have friends, gayety. i am"
she smiled grimly in the darkness,
mot so old myself but that can I'M
derstand."
Hedwig stood still. The old city was
preparing for sleep. In the place n
few lovers loitered, standing close, and
the faint tinkling of bell told of the
Blessed Sacrament being carried
through the streets to some bedside of
the dying. The Princess Hedwig
bowed her head.
1t seemed to her, all at once, that
the world was full of wretchedness and
death, and of separation, which might
be worse than death.
81 wish could help you, highness,'
said the countess. 81 should like to
see you happy. But happiness does
not come of itself. We must fight for
It,"
"Fight? What chance have / to
fight?" Hedwig asked scOrnfully.
"One thing, of course, l could do"
pursued the countess. son those days
when you wish to have tea with-his
royal highness, / could arrange, per-
haps, to let you know IL any member
of the family intended going to his
apartments"
1t was a moment before Hedwig
comprehended. Then she turned to
her haughtily. "When l wish to have
tea with my cousin" she said coldly,
81 shall do it openly, countess"
She left the balcony abruptly, aban-
doning the countess to solitary fury,
the greater because triumph had
seemed so near. Alone, she went red
and white, bit her lips, behaved ac-
cOrding to all the time-hOnOred ira
ditions. And even swore-in polite,
lady-in-waiting fashion, to be sure
to get even.