Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-01-29
CHAPTER xNvI tCon,inued,

SliE was calm enough now. Karl was
~ listening, was considering. looked un-
easy. She had been right. lie was not
ior acquiring trouble. even by marriage.
But. II she had read Kari. he also
knew her. In all the years he had known
her she had never been reckless. Dar-
Ing enough, but with a calculating dar.
ing that took no chances. And vet she
had done a reckless thing by coming TO
him. From under lowered cyclids he
considered her. Why had she done itP
The situation was serious enough, but
even then
80 you camc today to tell me thisc"
She glanced up, and, catching his eyes,
colored family. "Thesc are things YOU
should know"
He knew her very well. \ Jealous
woman would 20 far. He knew now that
she was Jealous, When he spoke IL was
with calculating brutality. "you mean,
IN View of my impending marriage"
So II was arranged Finally ar
ranged Well. she had done her best.
He knew the truth. She had told Z,
fairly. n, knowing II. no persisted. 1t
would he because her power over him
was dead AZ last.
"Yes. do not know how far your
arrangements have gone. You have at
least been warned
himself up and smiled. that he under
stood. Mere than that. lie doubted her.
lie questioned what she had said.
The very fact that she had told him
only tho truth added TO her resentment.
You will see" she said sullenly.
because he thought he already saw.
and because she had given him bad
moment. Kari chose 20 he deliberately
cruel. "perhars!" he said. "But even
ther---ir this marriage were purely one
Of oSpcdiency, Olga. | night hesitate.
FRANKLY, ! want peace. | aU tired Of
war. tired of pickering. tired Of watch
ing and being watched. But it is not
ono OF expcdicLcy Not. at least. only
that. You leave out of thiA discussion
the one element that ] consider inn
rortant, IIcdwiG herself. II the Princess
lIedwig were tomorrow 30 bc without
u country. | should still hope TO marry
her"
She had done well UP to now, had
kept her courage and her temper. had
taken her cue from him and been quiet
and poised. But more than his words,
his cruel voice, silky with friendship,
drove her to tho breaking point Karl
who hated Il scene. found himself the
victim of one. and was none the happier
that she WHO had so long hold him OF
was now herself Mt arms length, and
struggling.
Bitterly, and with reckless passion,
ehe flung at him iedwlg's infatuation
for young Larlsch. and prophesled his
dishonor as a result Of it. That lear-
Ing him cold and rather sneerlng, shc
reviewed their old intimacy, to be re-
minded that in that there had been no
question of marriage. or hope OF II.
IL an only human, olga" ho said.
in an interval when she had fallen to
quiet weeping. 81 loved YOU very sim
cerely. and for n long time. Marriage
between us was impossible. You always
knew that"
In the end she grew quiet and sat
looking into tho fire with eyes full Of
stony despair. She had tried and failed
There was ono way left. only one. and
even that would not bring him back to
her. Let Hedwlg escape and marry
Milky Larisch -- still where was she"
Let ths Terrorists strike their blow and
steal the Crown Prince, Again--where
was she?
Her emotions were deadcned. all gave
one, and that was her hatred OF IIedwig
Tho humiliation OF that moment was
due to her. Somehow, some day, she
would be even with Hedwig. Karl left
ler there at last. huddled In her chair.
left full Of resentment. the ashes of
his old love cold and gray. There was
little reminder OF the girl OF the noun
tains In the stony-eyed woman he had
left sasged low by the frc.
once out in the open air the King of
Earnia drew a long breath. The affair
was over. 1t had boen unpleasant IL
was always unpleasant to break with IL
woman. But Il was time, lie neither
loved her nor needed her. Friendly re-
lations between the two countries were
established, and soon, very soon, would
be ratified by his marriage.
It was not of Olga Loschek but OF
Hedwig that hc thought as his car
climbed swiftly to the lodge.