The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1918-05-22

fortably disposed. Her mother was
looking out, with her cool, impressive
gaze. Miss Braithwaite knitted. The
countess. however, met her eyes, and
there was something strange in them
triumph and n bit of terror, too. had
she but read them. For the countess
had put i'm her plea for holiday and
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, ex-
cept that it had Il moat around 1t.
Hcdwig and the countess went with
the party around the Notifications
The archduchcss and Kiss Braithwaite
had sought fire. Only the countess,
however seemed really Interested
IIcdwig seemed more intent on the dis.
tant line Of the border than on any.
thing else. She stood on n rampant
and stared out at It, looking very sad.
Even the drill-whcn at a word all the
great guns rose and pecped over the
edge ut the valley below. and then
dropped backed again as If they had
seen enough--even this failed to rouse
her.
81 wish you would listen, Hcdwir,"
said the crown prince almost frctfully.
"Its so interesting. The cnomy's sol
disrs would come up the river in boats.
and along that road on foot. And then
we would raise the guns and shoot at
them. And the guns would drop back
again, before the enemy had time TO
aim at them."
But Hcdwigs interest was 50 cyi.
IDENTIFY assumed that he turned to the
countess. The countess prufessed
smiling terror, and stood a little way
back from the guns, looking on. But
Prince Ferdinand William Otto at last
coaXcd her TO the top Of the emplace-
ment.
"There's fine view up there" he
urged. "And the guns won't hurt you.
There's nothing in them"
TO get up it was necessary to climb
an iron ladder. Hcdwig was already
there. About a dozen young officers
had helped her up, ana ruined as
many pairs Of white gloves, although
Hedwig could climb like a cat, and
really needed no help at all.
''You 90 up" said the crown prince
eagerly, turning to the countess. I'll
hold your bag, so you can climb"
He caught her handbag from her,
and instantly something snapped in it.
The countess was climbing up the lad
der. Rather dismayed, Prince Ferdi-
nand William Otto surveyed the bag.
Something had broken, he feared. And
in another moment he saw what it
was. The little watch which was set
in one side of it had slipped away,
leaving Il round black hole. His heart
best q trifie faster.
'I'm awfully worried" he called up
10 her, as he climbed. I'm afraid I've
broken your bag. Something clicked,
and the watch is gone. 1t is not on
the ground"
II was wen for the countess that the
colonel was talking to Hedwig. Well
for her too, that the other officers
We're standing behind with their eyes
worshipfully on the princess. The
countess turned gray white.
'Don't worry, highness," she said,
with stiff lips. "The watch falls back
sometimes. / must have it repaired"
But long after the tour Of the ram
parts was over, after ammunition
rooms had been visited, with their long
lines of waiting shells, after the
switchboard which controlled the river
mines had been inspected and ex-
planned, she was still trembling.
Prince Ferdinand William Otto,
looking at the bag later on, saw the
watch in place and drew a long breath
of relief.