The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1918-03-20


"What do those asses of doctors say
about mel"
"Even at the best, sire" He
looked very ferocious, and cleared his
throat. He was terribly ashamed that
his voice was breaking. Even at the
best, but of course they can only give
an opinion"
"Six monthsT
"a year, SIRE"
"And at the worst !" said the king,
with grim smile. Then, following
his own line of thought: "But the
people love the boy, think"
''They do. 1t is for that reason,
sire, that advise particular caution"
He hesitated. Then, '"Sire," he said
earnestly, "there is something Of
which I must speak. The Committee
of Ten has organized again."
Involuntarily the king glanced at
the photograph on the table.
"Forgive me, sire, If I waken bitter
memories. But 1 fear"
"You fearl" said the king. "Since
when have you taken to fearing?"
Nevertheless" maintained General
Mettlich doggedly, II fear. This quiet
of the last few months alarms me.
Dangerous dogs do not bark. I trust
no one. The very air is full Of Sc
ditiOn."
The king twisted his blue-veined old
hands together, but his voice was
Q Dat bxv9 hn dapaandad al
most fretfully. "If the people are
fond of the boy, and think they are,
toto carry him off, or injure him,
would hurt the cause. Even the ter
rorists, in the name Of republic, can
do nothing without the people"
"The mob is curious thing, sire.
You have ruled with a strong hand.
Our people know nothing but to obey
the dominant voice. The boy out of
I the way, the prospect of the
Princess Hedwig on the throne, few
demagogues in the public squares-it
would be the end"
The king leaned back and closed his
eyes. His thin, arched nose looked
pinched. His face was gray.
"All this" he said, 'means what
To make the boy a prisoner, to cut
off his few pleasures, and even then
at any time"
"Yes, SIRE" said Mettlich doggedly
"At any time"
All through the palace people were
sleeping. Prince Ferdinand William
Otto was asleep, and riding again the
little car in the land of delight. Sc
that, turning corner sharply, he al
most fell out Of bed.
On the other side of the city the
little American boy was asleep also
At that exact time he was being
tucked up by an entirely efficient and
placid-eyed American mother, who felt
under his head to see that his ear was
not turned forward. She liked close
fitting ears.
Nobody, naturally, was tucking w
Prince Ferdinand William Otto. Oh
attending to his ears. But, of course
there were sentries outside his door
and valet de chambre to be rune
for, and a number of embroidered
eagles scattered about on the curtains
and things, and a country surrounding
him which would one day be his, un
less
"At any time" said General Nett
Itch, and was grimly silent.
"Well?" inquired the king, after O
time. "You have something to sug
gest, l take it."
The old soldier cleared his throat
"Sire," he began, ut is said that Q
chancellor should have but one pas
sion, his king. l have two, my kine
and my country"
The king nodded gravely. He knew
both passions, relied on both. And
found them both a bit troublesome al
times
"Once, some years ago, sire, I came
to you with a plan. The Princess
Hedwig was a child then, and his late
royal highness was-still with us
For that, and for other reasons, YOU
majesty refused to listen. But things
have changed. Between us and revO
luton there stand only the frail life
of boy and an army none too large
and already, perhaps, affected. There
Is much discomfort, and the offspring
of discomfort is anarchy"
The king snarled. But Mettlich hat
taken his courage In his hands, ant
went on. Their neighbor and hered
itary foe was Karnia. Could the,
any longer afford the enmity of Kar
MIA? One cause of discomfort was thu
expense Of the army, and Of the forti
fications along the Karnian border. i
Karnia were allied with them. Their,
would be no need of so great an army
They had the mineral wealth, ant
Karnia the seaports. The old dream
of the empire. Of a railway to the sea
would be realized.
He pleaded well. The idea was mo-
new. To place the little King Ottt
TX on the throne and keep him there
In the face Of opposition would re
quire support from outside. Karnis
would furnish this support For I
price.