The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1918-05-11
CHAPTER VIlI-Continued.

The quay receded, red carpet and all.
Only the blare of the band followed
them, and with the persistence OF
sound over water, followed them for
some time.
1t was Hedwig who showed the most
depression on the trip, after all. Early
that morning she had attended mass
In the royal chapel. All the household
had been there, and the king had been
wheeled in, and had sat in his box,
high in the wall, the door of when
opened from his private suite.
Looking up, Hedwig had seen his
gray old face set and rigid. The court
had worn black, and the chapel was
draped in crepe. She had fallen on
her knees and had tried dutifully to
pray for the dead Hubert. But her
whole soul was crying out for help Tor
herself.
So now she sat very quiet, ana won
dered about things.
Prince Ferdinand William Otto sat
by the rail and watched the green
banks flying by.
When no one was looking, he broke
a flower from the bouquet and flung II
overheard. He pretended that it was
boat, and was going down to karnla,
filed with soldiers ready to fight.
But the thought Of soldiers brought
Milky to his mind. His face clouded.
Its very strange about Milky, ne
said. "He is away somewhere. l wish
he had sent word he was going
Hedwig looked out over the river.
The archduchess glanced at Miss
Braithwaite. "There is no newsE sne
asked, in an undertone.
"None," said Miss Braithwaite.
A sudden suspicion rose in Hedwigs
mind, and made her turn pale. what
IL they had sent him away? Perhaps
they feared him enough for that! II
that were true, she would never know
She knew the ways of the palace well
enough for that. In sort OF terror
she glanced around the group, so COM
fortably disposed. Her mother was
looking out, with her cool, impasslVe
gaze. Miss Braithwaite knitted. Inc
countess, however met her eyes, anu
there was something strange In them
triumph and bit of terror, too, had
she but read them. For the countess
had put in her plea for holiday anu
had been refused.
The new fortress faced the high ROAD
some five miles from the Karnlan Dor
der. 1t stood on bluff over the river
and was, as the crown prince decided
not so unlike the desk, after ALL eA-
cept that it had moat around IL.
Hedwig and the countess went with
the party around the fortincatlons'
The archduchess and : iss Braitn"alte
had sought q fire. Only the countess,
however seemed really Interested
Hedwig seemed more intent on the as
tant line Of the border than on any
thing else. She stood on a rampant
and stared out at it, looking very sau.
Even the drill-when at word ali the
great guns rose and peeped over the
edge ut the valley below, and then
dropped backed again as II they hau
seen enough-even this failed to rouse
her. :,
81 wish you would listen, Hedwig'
said the crown prince, almost fretfuliy.
ITS so interesting. The enemy $ SOL
diers would come up the river in BOATS
md along that road on foot. And then
we would raise the guns and shoot az
them. And the guns would drop back
again. before the enemy had time TO
aim at them"
But Hedwig's interest was SO eVi-
IDENTIFY assumed that he turned 10 the
countess. The countess PROGRESSED
smiling terror, and stood little way
back from the guns, looking on. But
Prince Ferdinand William otto at las'
eoaxed her to the top Of the empiace'
ment.
There's n fine view up there" ne
urged. "And the guns won't hurt you
There's nothing in them.
To get up it was necessary 10 chmp
an iron ladder. Hedwig was aireaoy
there. About a dozen young omcers
had helped her up, and ruined Us
many pairs Of white gloves, although
Hedw'u could climb like a cat, ano