New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1918-11-22
CHAPTER V.--Continued.

Mother, you cannot look back, an
and remember your own life, and al
how me to be wretched. You can
not -"
li"dwig began to cry,
The archduchess hated tears, ant
her softer moments were only mo
ments. "Dry your eyes, aud don't b.
silly" she said coldiy. you have al
ways known that something of tn
sort was Inevitable"
She moved toward the door. The
W princesses and her lady in wait
fng remained still until she had lief
she table. Then they fell in behint
her, and the little procession moved to
the stuffy boudoir. for coffee. Blu
Hilda slipped her arm around her sis
ter's waist. and the touch conforted
IIedwlg.
"IIe may be very nice" Hilda volun,
feered cautiously. "Perhaps it is Karl
I am quite mad about Karl. myself
iIedwig, however, was beyond listen.
ing. She went slowly to Il window,
and stood gazing out. Looming against
the skyline, in the very center Of the
place, was the heroic figure of her dead
grandmother. She fell to wondering
about these royal wOmen who had pre-
ceded. IIer mother. frankly unhappy
In her marriage. permanently embit-
tered; her grandmother. lIedwig had
never seen the king young. She could
not picture him a a lover. TO her
he was Il fine and lonely figure. But
romantic? Had he ever been roman
tic?
She slipped out onto the balcony
and closed the curtains behind her.
As her eyes grew accustomed to the
darkness she saw that there was some
one below. under the trees. He heart
i,eat rapidly. In II moment she was
certain. 1t was Milky down there,
Milky, gazing up at her as a child may
look at n star. With Il quick gesture
iiadwig drew the curtain back. A
thin ray of light fell on her, on her
slim bare arms. on her light drnper1es,
an her young face. He had wanted
10 see her, and he should see her. Then
she dropped thc' curtain, and twisted
her hands together lest, in spite of
her, they reach out toward him.
Did she fancy it, or did the figure
salute her? Then came the quick ring
Of heels on the old stone pavement.
She knew his footsteps, eve as she
knew every vibrant. eager infection Of
his voice. He went away, across the
GuIIarp 1il.n NM tvHn huy{nu hanf his
Knee to a saint, turns back to the bust
ness of the world.
In the bOudOir the archduchesS had
picked up some knitting to soothe her
tangled nerves. "You may play now,
IIlida," she said.
Annunciata dozed. and Hilda played
softly. The countess opportunity had
come. She put down the dreary en-
broidery with which she filled the
drearier evenings. and moved to the
window. She walked quietly, like a
cat.
Her first words to IIedwig were
those of Peter Niburg as he linked
arms with his enemy and started down
the street. "A fine night, highness,"
she said.
Hedwlg raised her eyes to the stars.
1T Is very lovely
"A night to spend out-of-doors, in
stead of being shut up" She
finished her sentence with a shrug Of
,hr shoulders.
iIedwig was not fond of the count
pCS Che dill NOT Ennw univ Tho
truth being, Of course, that between
them lay the barrier of her own in
nocence. When the countess arm
touched hers, she drew aside.
Tonight" said the lady in waiting
dreamily, II should like to be in "A
motor, speeding over mountain roads.
I come from the mountains, you know.
And / miss them"
Hedwig moved, a little impatiently,
but as the countess went on, she lis
tened. After all. Milky, too. came
from the mountains. And because she
v sorry for the countess, who was
iomesick. and perhaps because just
then she had to speak to some one,
she turned to her at last with the thing
that filled her mind.
This marriage" she said bitterly.
as 1t talked about? Am l the only
one in the palace who has not known
about it,"
mo, highness, l had heard nothing.
or course, there are always rumors."
"As to the other, the matter my
referred to-" Hedwig held her
very high, 'I-she was unjust.
Am l never to have any friends?"
Friends, highness? One may have
friends, of course. 1t is not friendship
they fear"
"What them"
"A lover" said the countess softly.
sit Is Impossible to see Captain Lar
Isch In your presence. and not
realize"
go on"
And nor realize. highness, that he
IN love with you"
"How sillyi" said the Princess He'd
rig, with glowing eyes. Ii