Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-06-15
-Aukhor az Tie Yellow Dove -

into the Schottenring. Marishka weary
but resolute, Renwick somewhat dubious
as to their appearance at this early hour
alone in the streets of Vienna. But at
his suggestion that they drive first to
the house of Marishka's aunt and
guardian. Baroness Racowitz. where
some excuse could be made for the girls
unexpected visit, Marishka only stook
her head and gave the town address OF
Prince Montenuovo. who, as she knew.
was still In residence. the Emperor not
eing expected at 1schl until the middle
of July. Nor would she permit Rem
wick to accompany her within the house.
and SO he sat alone in tile humble fiacre
for what seemed an interminable time.
until man in livery came down tho
steps and gave him a note in Marishka's
hand
"I have succeeded in getting an audi
ence: Go to the Embassy and await
word from me. Silence"
And SO at last he drove away to his
hotel. sure at least that for the present
he had done his duty to Marishka. But
this was no boy-and-girl matter. The
lives of nations, perhaps. hung upon
his decision In a weak moment he had
promised Marishka an impossible thing.
He did not know what danger hung over
him. II anything happened to him Eng
land might never know until ii was too
late. The vision of Marishka's pale face
haunted him, but he decided to take no
further chances. and locking himself In
his own rooms, he wrote long state
ment. in which he accurately recounted
his experience in the garden the day be-
fore. This letter written. sealed. ad-
dressed. and given to trusted servant
to be delivered into the hands of the
Ambassador at a given time. Renwick
breathed sigh of relief, then bathed.
dressed, and waited.
1t was not until some days later that
he heard in detail of Marshka's s visit to
the Emperor, The High Chamberlain:
Strahni to konopisht, and convinced of
her earnestness and anxiety. had acted
Immediately. The Emperor fortunately
was not ailing and the audience was OBJ
at eighty-four, and burdened with more
sorrows than those that fall to the lot
or the average man. still found interest
IN the complaints and petitions of his
days at Schoenbrunn. 1t was TINS IN
timate touch with his people, kept
through many years. which endeared
him to his subjects. and stories of his
paternal kindness were thus continually
sent the length and breadth of the ma
ton.
Franz Josef
Marishka was shown into an ante
chamber in the Emperors private suite
where for what seemed an nterminable
time she sat and waited. At length her
sponsor appeared and conducted her
along short corridor past several
rooms to a white door which the Prince
opened, and then stood aside as Marish>
ka entered.
The Countess Strahni." he announced,
Marishka, a little bewildered and
frightened, advanced uncertainty, her
eyes dazzled by the brilliant sunlight
which streamed in at the south. As she
hesitated, a voice near the furthest win.
dow spoke reassuringly.
Come In. child" 1t said. 81 am here" J."
ba adI vii
aware of an old man in a military blouse
sitting in large chair beyond a desk
The inflrmities of age and suffering had
bowed his shoulders and to Marishka the
Emperor seemed smaller than when she
he had seen him last. smaller and very
much older. There was stiffness about
his person. quality of resignation and
ouiescence that was almost statuesuue
But his whlskers and mustache. care,
fully groomed, were brushed upward
and outward from the rather heavy lii
and chin, and had military cut which
comported well with the dignity of hi
appearance. His eyes, the right on,
much smaller than the left. were ligh
gray in color, and as her own gaz'
caught them. very grave and kindly, lik'
his voice. which as he spoke gave he
every encouragement to be at her ease
You will pardon the infirmities of al
old man and forgive me for not rising.
he said gently. will you be seated
here, before me, where l may look a
you?"
There was a pathetic touch OF his ole
gallantry in the gesture which accom-
panied the words. and bright flash o
his eyes as Marishka came forward into
the light and stood before him. Ever
today the Emperor was not immune from
the charms of feminine beauty
Marishka did as she was hidden. sittin,
upon the edge of her chair before tn
old man, gazing at him again withou
words to begin.
\ ~, al hat yn,
have something of Importance to com
municate." said the Emperor with
r smile. Your grandfather once did m
: service. Il there is anything that
The quiet voice paused and she wa
conscious of the gaze of the gray eye
upon her in gentle inquiry.
; 1T is nothing that ! want, Sire sh
I murmured haltingly. 1T is something o
: the utmost importance that has occurre
: necessary that you should know-some
Y thing of the gravest moment to tn
. State-to Austria and to-to You
Majesty"
q She paused breathless, finding speec
difficult.
She saw his eyebrows upraised slightl
and then contracted, while his gaze upo
q her grew concentrated.
You may speak freely. child. Their
is no one here who hasn't the interest
% OF my country dt
II Marishka glanced around swiftly. he
pulses throbbing. Prince Montenuov
stood beside the desk, immovable.
Your Majesty" she almost whis
= pered, my Information Is of such
character
q Marishka's Confession
She paused again and felt the oil
mans gaze upon her in deeper interes
9 and curiosity. There was a silence, bu
l. II he had had momentary doubt Z
j, her, it was speedily dispelled. for h!
rather weary lips parted In a smil
as he turned to his chamberlain. y
= Your Highness will be pleased to AVA
Prince Montenuovo with bo'
. withdrew
Now. child" said the Emperor, bend
: ing slightly forward in his chair. wi
you not tell me freely what has bothere
you?"
"Yopr Majesty" said Marishka. plunf
ing breathlessly into her subject, Il wa
J. stopping at Konopisht at the castle {
, Hohenberg. formerly the Counties
u Chotek. was friend of my mother
and for many years our families nav
been intimate" 4.
She saw the slight contraction of I'll
q heavy brows at the mention OF Soph
% Chotelx's name but she went on rapidly
!, Sire. when you know % now long l'. 2.
I. Her Highness has been to me sins
= the death Of my father and mother yo
will understand that what j am abot
y to say--to reveals very painful
IS me- l could not speak, Sire. even nov
unless the welfare OF Austria and {
e Your Majesty were not more importar
y to me than any personal consideration
-hat Il b. e.