The Dermott news., 1918-03-21

famed. Indifferent mother though she
Hedwig's happiness.
At last she succeeded in irritating
the king-a more difficult thing now
than in earlier times. but not SO hard
u matter at 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
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,
and soon. | have not much time"
So, after all, was the matter of the
Il composite outgrowth of cxpedicncy
and obstinaey, of defiance and anger.
And 50 was it FASTENED.
Irritation gave the king strength
That afternoon We're summoned in
haste the members Of his cuunril-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
demur. 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
couclave, silent. hui intent. On each
speaker he turned his eyes, and waited
until at last karl's proposal. with its
promises. was laid before them in fun.
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. bat that softly. And
he drew for them a picture of the
future thar set their hearts 20 glowing
ii throne secure. Il greater kingdom.
freedom from the costs of war, har-
Dor by the sea.
The battle. which WIS no battle ut
all. was won. IL had won. The coUu-
try had won. Tha crown prince had
won. only Hcdais had lost. Aaa
only MettHch knew Just how she Ind
lost
The necessity for work brought the
king the strength to do it. Meuieh
remained With him. Boxes were
brought from vaults, unlocked ana cN-
amined. Secretaries came and went.
At eight O'Clock n 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 tt5a-s were necessary: Haste.
The king. having determined il, would
lose no time. Aud dignity. The grand
daughter of the king must be offered
with ceremony. No ordinary king :
messenger. then. but some dignitary Of
the court.
To this emergency Mettlich rose like
the doughty old warrior and statesman
that he was. IF you are willing, sire"
he said, as he rose, Il will 90 myself
"When?"
"Since it must be done, the sooner
the better. Tonight. sire"
ITO the eapital?"
Not so far, Karl is hunting. He is
at Wedding"
He went almost Immediately, and
the king summoned his Wallets, and was
got to bed But long after the auto
mobile containing Mettlch and two Sc
cret agents was on the. road toward
the mountains, he tossed on his mar
row bed. To what straits had they
come indeed He closed his eyes
YEARLY. Something had gone out of
his life. He did not realize AT first
what it was When he did, he smiled
his old grim smile In the darkness.
He had lost foe. More than any
thing, perhaps, he had dearly loved a
foe