The Elbert County tribune., 1918-10-18

dogs! Why. yes / have quite
number of dogs"
Il should think 1t would be nicer
to have just one dog. and be very
fond of 1t. But 1 suppose they would
eat a great deal. Do you believe In
love at first sight?"
"Ottoi" said the archduchess, ex-
| tremely shocked.
He turned to her apologetically. II
was only trying to find out how many
things he and Milky agreed about"
he explained "Nikky believes in love
Mt first sight He says it Is the only
real kind of love, because love isn't
thing you think out. You only feel
It"
| The archduchess met Karl's eyes.
''You see,'' she said.
'.But 1t is sound doctrine" Karl OBJ
served, bending forward and with a
slanting glance at Hedwig. "I quite
agree with him again. And this friend
of yours, he thinks love is the only
thing IN the world, I dare sayf
| "Well, he thinks a great deal of it.
But he says that love Of country comes
first, before anything else"
| The archduchess glanced at Hedwig
furiously. The girl had closed her
eyes. and was sitting detached and
pale. She would have liked to box her
ears. Karl was no fool, and there was
| talk enough. He would hear 1t, of
course.
"Tell US about your pilgrimage,
Otto" she suggested.
well, l went" said the crown
prince reflectively. 1--WE walked a lsng
time, and 1t was very warm. I have
quite large blister, ana the aroh-
bishop had to take his SHOES on aRa
walk in his stockings, because his feet
hurt. No one saw. 1t was on a coun-
try lane. But I'm afraid 1t didn't de-
very much good" He drew a long
breath.
Nor Karl inquired.
Suddenly the boys chin quivered.
He was terribly afraid he was going
to cry, and took a large sip OF tea.
which cleared his voice.
my grandfather is not any better"
he said. Perhaps some one else
should have gone. l am not very
good" he explained to Karl. .It
ought to be very good person. He
is very sick"
Perhaps" suggested Karl mocking-
ly, with a glance at Hedwig, they
should have sent this Milky of
yours
Annunciata stirred restlessly. She
considered this talk of Milky in
execrable taste.
He is not particularly good"
"oh, so he is not particularly
good?"
We'll, he thinks he isn't. He says
country more than anything in the
world. for one thing. And he smokes
a great many cigarettes"
Another taste in commonI" Jeered
Karl, in his smooth, carefully ironic
tones.
Annunciata was in the last stages
OF Irritation. There was no mistaking
the sneer in Karl's voice. His smile
was forced. She guessed that he had
heard of Milky Larisch before, that,
indeed, he knew probably more than
she did. Just what, she wondered,
was there to know2 A great deal, IL
one could judge by Hedwig's face.
Il hope you are working hard at
your lessons, Otto,' she said, in the
severe tone which Otto had learned
that most people use when they refer
to lessons.
I'm afraid I'm not doing very well,
Tante. But I've learned the 'Gettys-
burg address, Shall 1 say it?"
Heavens. mol" she protested. She
had not the faintest idea what the
gettysburg address" was. She
suspected Mr.. Gladstone.
The countess had relapsed into sill
ence. little back from the family
circle, she had watched the whole
scene stonily, and knowing Karl as
only woman who loves sincerely and
long can know a man, she knew the
inner workings of his mind. She saw
anger in the very turn of his head
ana set of his jaw. But she saw more.
Jealousy, and was herself half mad
with 1t.
She knew him well. She had her
self, for years, held him by holding
herself dear, by the very difficulty of
attaining her. And now this indiffer-
ent, white-faced girl, who might be
MS, indeed, for the taking, but who
would offer or promise no love, was
rousing him to the instinct of posses
sion by her very indifference. He had
told her the truth, that night in the
mountain inn. 1t was Hedwig he
wanted, Hedvig herself. her heart, all
OF her. And, If she knew Karl, he
would move heaven and earth to get
the thing he wanted.
She surveyed the group. How little
they knew what was in store for them,
She. Olga Loschek, by the lifting of
a nnger. could turn their SNUG superb
ority into tears and despair, could ruin
| them and send thnm Huinrr f1. ..hai.I..