The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1918-05-08

ahsSh "h'e a NuS SagihSs
She had the grace to flush.
Under the circumstances" the
king resumed, "Hedwig's marriage
takes on great slgniflcance-great POI
litical significance"
For half-hour then, he talked to
her. More than for years, he I'M
bosomed himself. He had tried. His
ministers had tried. Taxes had been
lightened; the representation of the
people increased, until, as he said, he
was only nominally a ruler. But dis
content remained. Some who had gone
to America and returned with savings
enough to set themselves up in busl-
ness, had brought back with them the
American idea.
Annunciata listened to the end. She
felt no pity for those who would bet
ter themselves by discomfort and its
product, revolt. She felt only resent
ment, that her peace was being threat
ened, her position assailed. And in
her resentment she included the king
himself. He should have done better.
And something of this she did not
hesitate to say. "Karnia Is quiet
enough" she finished, final thrust.
"Karnla is better off. A lowland.
most of it, and fertile" But a spot
of color showed in his old cheeks. 81
am glad you spoke of Karnia. What
ever plans we make, Karnia must be
considered"
"Why? Karnia does not consider
u.s."
He raised his hand. "You are
wrong. Just now, Karnia is doing us
the honor of asking an alliance with
us. A matrimonial alliance"
The archduchess was hardly sur
prised, as one may believe. But she
was not minded to yield too easily.
The old resentment against her father
famed. Indifferent mother though she
was, she made capital of 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
Il matter ut 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 king,
even if he is ones father and very old,
she came.
"Just one word MORE" he said, in
his thin, old, high-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. l am merely
compelled to make the decision alone,
ana soon. 1 have not much time"
So, after all, was the matter of the
Duchess Hedwig's marriage arranged,
a composite Outgrowth of expediency
and obstinacy, of defiance and anger.
And so was 1t 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
derSur. 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 Il picture of the
future that set their hearts to glowing
"a throne secure, a 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 it. Mettlich
remained with him. Boxes We're
brought from vaults, unlocked AID ex-
amined. Secretaries came and went.
At eight o'clock a frugal dinner was
spread in the study, and they ate it
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. fne grand
daughter of the king must be offered
with ceremony. No ordinary kings
messenger. then, but some dignitary OF
the court
To this emergency Mettllch rose Ike
the doughty old warrior and statesman
that he was. 'If you are willing, SIRE"
he said, as he rose, II will go myself"
"When?"
"Since it must be done, the sooner