The Dermott news., 1918-05-16

spring. For Milky knew the temper of the people, knew 1t as did Mathilde goSSiping In the market, and even bet ter; knew that Il crisis was approach ing. and that on this small boy in his charge hung that crisis.
 So Milky trusted in his own right arm and in nothing else The very size of the palace, it's unused rooms it's long and rambling corridors. its rambling wings and ancient turrets, was against its safety.
 Since the demonstration against Karl. the riding school hour had been given up. There were no drives in the park. The illness of the king furnished sufficient excuse, but the truth was heseged by it knew not what.
 Milky, summoned to the chancellors house that morning. had been told the facts. and had stood, rather still and tense, while Mettlich recouuted them.
 "Our very precautions are our dan ger" said the chancellor And the king" He stopped and sat tapping his fingers on the arm of his chair.
 And the king. sir?'
 "Almost at the end. A day or two"
 Karl. with Hedwig in his thoughts, had returned to mobilize his army not far from the border for the spring maneuvers. and at meeting of the kings council the matter of mohiiZa- ton ill ..iyonia was seriously consid- cred.
 Eat Frtese favored It, and made an impaSSioned speech, with sweat thick on his heavy face.
 II um not eownrdly." he finished "I fear nothing for myself or for those belonging 10 me. But the duty of this council Is to preserve the throne for the crown prince. at any cost. And if We cannot trust the army. in what can we truSt?'
 Tn God said the chancellor grim ly.
 Tn the end nothing was done Mobil- ization might precipitate the crisis and there was always the fear that the army. in parts. wns itself disloyal.
 The king. meanwhile. lay dying. Doc. tor Weiderman in constant attendance. other physicians coming and going Ills apartments were silent. Rugs covered the corridors. that no footfal disturb his quiet hours. The nursing sisters attended him. one by his bed side. one always on her knees at the priedieu in the small room beyond. lie wanted littie--now and then sip of water. the cooled juice of fruit In- jections of stimulants. given by Doctor Weiderman himself. had scared hls old arms with purpliSh marks. and were absorbed more and more slowly as the hours went on.
 He rarely slept, but lay inert and not unhappy. AnuunCiata came, and was Ut last stricken by conscience to prayer at his bedside On one of her last visits that was. She got up To find his eyes fixed on her.
 Father. can you hear ne?"
 "Yes"
 II have been bad daughter to you. am sorry. II Is late now to tell you, but I am sorry. Can l do anythingF"
 "otto." he said. with difficulty.
 You want to see him?"
 No"
 She knew what he meant by that He would have the boy remember him us.he had seen him last
 You are anxious about him?"
 Nery-anXious."
 Listen. father" she said, stepping over him. "I have been hard and cold Perhaps you will grant that l have had two reasons for il. But am go. ing to do better I will take curc of him and l will do all l can to make him happy. l promise.
 Perhaps it was relief. Perhaps even then the thought of Annunciata's tar dy and Certain-to-be bungling efforts to make Ferdinand William otto happy amused him. He smiled faintly.
 Milky received note from Hedwig late that afternoon. IL was very brief:
 Tonight at nine o'clock shall go to the roof beyond Hubsrts old rooms for air.
 II Esl1N W iNf
 Milky, who In all his incurious young life had never thought of the roof of the palace, save as n necessary shelter from the weather, n thing of tiles and gutters. vastly large, looked rather aStouuded.
 The roof" he said, surveying the note. And fell to thinking, such mix ture of rapture and despair as only twenty-three. and hopeless, can know.
 Somehow or other he got through the intervening hours, and before nine he was on his way. He had the run If the palace, of course. No one no- ticed him as he made his way toward the empty suite which so recently had housed its royal visitor,
 lIcdwig in soft white wrap over her dinner dress. was at tho halus- trade. A very dignihed fairy. al- though her heart thnmped disgrace fully.
 Whatever Milky hnd intended--of oheying hts promise to the letter. of