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

ky's face. lie would see if report
spoke the truth, if this blue-eyed boy
was in love with Hedwig. lie was a
Jealous man, this Karl Of the cold
eyes, Jealous and passionate. Not as Il
king. then. watching Il humble soldier
of Livonia, but as man to man, he
gazcd at Milky.
"Tor fear that loyalty keeps you
silent, 1 may say to you that the old
troubles between Karuia and Livonia
are over"
81 do not understand, sire"
Karl hCsitated. Then, with his
twisted smile, he cast the rigid
etiquette Of such matters to the winds.
at is very simple" ne said. "TACre
will be no more trouble between these
two nCighluriug countries, because n
marriage has today been arran-oi-a
marriage between the Princess IIydwis
his majostys granddaughter, and my
self"
For a moment Milky Larisch closed
his eyes.
The anniversary Of the death Of
Prince Hubert dawnod bright and
sunny. The place showed n thin COW
criug of snow, which chung, wet and
sticky, to the trees; but by nine
o'clock most of it had disappeared, and
Prince Ferdinand William Otto was
informed that the excursion would
take place.
Two motors took the party, by back
streets, to the landing stage. In the
first were Annunciata, Hedwig, and
the countess, and at the last moment
Otto had salyaged Miss Braithwaite
from the second car, and begged a
place for her with him. A police agent
sat beside the chauffeur. Also another
car just ahead, contained other
agents, by Mettlichs order before his
Departure plain black motor, with
out the royal arms.
In the second machine followed
part of the suite, Hedwigs lady in
waiting, two gentlemen of the court,
In parade dress, and Father Gregory,
come from his monastery at Etzei to
visit his Old friend, the king.
AT the landing stage II small crowd
had gathered on seeing the red carpet
laid and the gilt ropes put up, which
indicated a royal visit. A small girl,
with hastily secured bouquet in her
hot hands, stood nervously waiting. In
Difference to the anniversary, the flow-
ers We're tied with black ribbon.
Annunciata grumbled when she saw
the crowd, and the occupants of the
first car looked them over carefully, 1t
remained for Hedwig to spy the black
ribbon. In the confusion, she slipped
over to the little girl, who went quite
white with excitement. "They are
lovely" Hddwig whispered, "but please
take Off the black ribbon" The child
eyed her anXiously. ut will come to
pieces, highness."
"Take the ribbon from your hair. 1t
will be beautiful"
Which was done! But, as was not
unnatural, the child forgot her speech,
and merely thrust the bouquet, tied
with large pink bow, into the hands
of Prince Ferdinand William Otto.
"Here," she said. 1t was, perhaps,
the brlefest, and therefore the most
agreeable presentation speech the
crown prince had ever heard.
The quay receded, red carpet and all.
Only the blare of the band followed
them, and with the persistence of
sound over water, followed them for
some time.
1t was Hedwig who showed the most
depression on the trip, after all. Early
that morning she had attended mass
in the royal chapel. All the household
had been there, and the king had been
wheeled in, and had sat in his box,
high in the wall, the door of which
opened from his private suite.
Looking up, Hedwig had seen his
gray old face set and rigid. The court
had worn black, and the chapel was
draped In crepe. She had fallen on
Der knees and had tried dutifully to
pray for the dead Hubert. But her
whole soul was crying out for help for
herself.
SO now she sat very quiet, and Won
dered about things.
Prince Ferdinand William Otto sat
by the rail and watched the green
banks flying by.
When no one was looking, he broke
a flower from the bouquet and flung 1t
overheard. He pretended that 1t was u
boat, and was going down TO Karnia,
filled with soldiers ready to fight.
But the thought of soldiers brought
Milky to his mind. His face clouded.
Its very strange about Milky" he
said. "He is away somewhere. l wish
he had sent word he was going"
Hedwig looked out over the river.
The archduchess glanced at Miss
Braithwaite. "There is no news?" she
asked, In an undertone.
"None," said Miss Braithwaite.
A sudden suspicion rose In Hedwig's
mind. and made her turn pale. What
II they had sent him away? Perhaps
they feared him enough for that II
that were true, she would never know.