The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1918-07-10

came, the terrOrists were to rouse the
people to even greater fury. Still
kneeling, she turned 1t over in her
mind. 1t was possible. More, II could
be made plausible, with her assistance.
And at the vision 1t evoked-Mettlich'
horror and rage, Hedwig's pulling
tears, her own triumph-she took a
deep breath. Revenge with a ven
geance, retaliation for old hurts and
fresh injuries, these were what she
found on her knees, while the bell in
the valley commenced the mass, and
a small boy, very rapt and very earn
est, prayed for his grandfather's life.
Yet the bargain came very close to
being made the other way that day,
and by Karl himself.
On the day Of the pilgrimage Karl
found himself strangely restless and
uneasy. Olga Loschek haunted him.
her face when he had told her about
the letter, her sagging figure when he
had left her.
Something like remorse stirred on
him. She had taken great risks for
him. OF all the women he had known,
she had most truly and unselfishly
loved him.
Very nearly did he swing the scale
In which Olga Loschek had hung her
bargain with God-so nearly that in
the intervals Of affixing his sprawling
signature to various documents, he
drew a sheet of note paper toward him.
Then, with a shrug, he pushed 1t away.
So Olga Loschek lost her bargain.
At dawn the next morning the
countess, still pale with Illness and
burning with fever, went back to the
city.
y
"Thus," said the concierge, frying
they always done. But you have been
blind. Rather, you would not see."
Old Adelbert stirred uneasily. $50
long as accept my pension"
"Why should you not accept your
pension? A trifie in exchange for what
you, you have gone through life but
half a man. But one use they have
fOr us, you and me, my friend-to tax
u.s."
"The taxes are not heavy" quoth
old Adelbert.
"There are some who find them So"
The concierge heaped his guests plate
with onions.
Old Adelbert played with his steel
fork II was a good patriot" he OBJ
served nervOusly, until they made me
otherwise"
II will make you better. A patriot
is one who Is Jealous for his country
and its welfare. That means much.
1t means that when the established
order Is bad for country, 1t must
be changed. Not that you and may
benefit. God knows. we may not live
to benefit. But that Livonia may free
her neck from the foot of the Oppres-
sion and raise her head among ma
tions."
From which 1t may be seen that old
Adelbert had at last Joined the revo-
lutionary party, an uneasy and I'M
happy recruit, 1t Is true, but-a recruit.
IF only some half measure would suf-
fee" he said, giving up all pretense
Of eating. "Thls talk of rousing the
mob, Of rioting and violence, do not
like them"
"Then has age turned the blood In
your veins to water!" said the con-
cierge contemptuously. Half meas
ures! Since when has a half measure
been useful? Did half measures win
In your boosted battles? And what
half measures would you propose"
Old Adelbert sat silent. Now and
then, because his mouth was dry, he
took a sip of beer from his tankard.
The concierge ate, taking huge mouth
fuls of onions and bread, and survey
ing his feeble-hearted recruit with ap-
praising eyes. To win him would
mean honor, for old Adelbert, decorated
for many braveries, was power
among the veterans. Where he led,
others would follow.
make no mistake" said Black
Humbert cunningly. eve aim at no
bloodshed. A peaceful revolution, II
possible. The king. being dead, will
suffer not even humiliation. Let the
royal family scatter where 1t will. We
have no designs on women. The
chancellor, however. must die"
II make no plea for him." said old
Adelbert bitterly. II wrote to him also,
when I lost my position. and received
no reply. We passed through the same
campaigns, as l reminded him, but he
did nothing"
"As for the crown prince" observed
the concierge, cycling the old man over
the edge of his tankard. "you know
our plan for him. He will be cared
for as my own child, until We get him
beyond the boundaries. Then he will
be safely delivered to those who know
nothing Of his birth. A private fund
Of the republic will support and edu-
cate him."
Old Adelbert's hands twitched. He
Is but child" he said, but already
he knows his rank"