The Elbert County tribune., 1918-09-06

famed. Indifferent mother though she
was, she made capital of a fear for
Hedwig's happiness.
AT last she succeeded In Irritating
the king-a more difficult thing now
than in earlier times, but not so hard
a matter at that. He listened quietly
until she had finished and then sent
her away. When she had got part.
way to the door. however, he called
her back. And since king is a king,
even II he is ones father and very old,
che came.
Just one word more" he said, in
his thin. old. hgh-bred voice. Much
of your unhappiness was of your own
making. You, and you only. know how
much. But nothing that you have said
can change the situation. 1 am merely
compelled to make the decision None.
and soon. I have not much time"
&c. after all, was the matter of the
Duchess Hedwig's marriage arranged,
composite outgrowth of e1pediency
and obstinacy, of defiance and anger.
And so was it hastened.
Irritation gave the king strength.
That afternoon were summoned in
haste the members of his council-fat
old Friese, young Marschall with the
rat face, austere Bayerl with the
white skin and burning eyes, and 9TH
ers. And to them all the king dis
closed his royal Will. There was some
demur. But, after all, the kings will
was dominant. Friese could but voice
his protest and relapse into greasy
silence.
The chancellor sat silent during the
conclave, silent, but intent. On each
speaker he turned his eyes, and waited
until at last Karl's proposal, with its
promises, was laid before them in full.
Then, and only then, the chancellor
rose. His speech was short. He told
them of what they all knew, their own
insecurity. He spoke but word of
the crown prince, but that softly. And
he drew for them picture of the
future that set their hearts to glowing
"A throne secure, greater kingdom,
freedom from the costs of war, har-
Dor by the sea.
The battle, which was no battle at
all, was won. He had won. The coun-
try had won. The crown prince had
won. Only Hedwig had lost. And
only Mettlich knew just how she had
lost.
The necessity for work brought the
king the strength to do 1t. Mettlich
remained with him. Boxes were
brought from vaults. unlocked and ex-
amined. Secretaries came and went.
At eight O'Clock frugal dinner was
spread in the study, and they ate 1t
almost literally over state documents.
On and on, until midnight or there
abouts. Then they stopped. The thing
was arranged. Nothing was left now
but to carry the word to Karl.
Two things were necessary: Haste.
The king, having determined 1t, would
lose no time. And dignity. The grand
daughter of the king must be offered
with ceremony. No ordinary kings
messenger. then, but some dignitary of
the court.
To this emergency Mettlich rose like
the doughty old warrior and statesman
that he was. "If you are willing. SIRE"
he said. as he rose, II will go myself"
"When7"
"Since 1t must be done. the sooner
the better. Tonight, sire"
ITO the capital7"
mot so far. Karl is hunting. He is
at Wedding"
He went almost Immediately. and
the king summoned his Wallets, and was
got to bed. But long after the auto
mobile containing Mettlich and two Sc
cret agents was on the road toward
the mountains, he tossed on his mr.
row bed. To what straits had they
come indeed! He closed his eyes
YEARLY. Something had gone out of
his life. He did not realize at first
what 1t was. When he did. he smiled
his old grim smile In the darkness.
He had lost foe. More than any
thing. perhaps, he had dearly loved
foe.