Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1918-03-22

1HS. OhC WCht oAONiJ W WAhdO"f
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-w who had pre-
ceded. Her mother, frankly unhappy
in her marriage, permanently embit
tered; her grandmother. Hedwig hai
never seen the king young. She could
not picture him as a lover. To her
he was a 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. Her heart
beat rapidly. In a moment she was
certain. 1t was Milky down there,
Milky, gazing up at her as a child may
look at a star. With a quick gesture
Hedwig drew the curtain back. A
thin ray of-light fell on her, on her
slim bare arms, on her light draperies,
On her young face. He had wanted
to see her, and he should see her. Then
she dropped the 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, ever as she
knew every vibrant, eager infection of
his voice. He went away, across the
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,
Hilda," 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 q
cat.
Her first words to Hedwig were
those of Peter Niburg as he linked
arms with his enemy and started down
the street. ga fine night, highhess,"
she said.
Hedwig raised her eyes to the stars.
"It is very lovely"
"a night to spend out-of-doors, in
stead of being shut up" She
finished her sentence with a shrug of
the shoulders.
Hedwig was not fond Of the count
ess. She did not know why. The
truth being, of course, that between
them lay the barrier of her W in
nocence. When the countess arm
touched hers, she drew aside.
Tonight, said the lady in waiting
dreamily, ~ should like to be in O
motor, speeding over mountain roads.
1 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
was sorry for the countess, who was
homesick, and perhaps because just
then she had to Speak to some one
she turned to her at last with the thing
that filed her mind.
'"This marriage" she said bitterly.
SIS 1t talked about? Am L the only
one in the palace who has not known
about it?"
mo, highness, / had heard nothing.
OF course, there are always rumors."
GAS to the other, the matter my
mother referred to-" Hedwig held her
head very high, "I-she was unjust.
Am 1 never to have any friends?"
"Friends, highness? One may ] we
friends, of course. 1t is not friendship
they fear"
"What them"
"a lover" said the countess softly.
'It is impossible to see Captain Lar
isch in your presence, and not
realize,
go on"
"And not realize, highness, that he
is in love with you"
"How silly p said the Princess He'd.
wig, with glowing eyes.
"But highness |" implored the count
ess. eff only you would use a little
caution. Open defiance is its own de
feat"
II am not ashamed of what I do"
said Hedwig holly.
ashamed Of course not. But
things that are harmless In others in
your position-you are young.~ You
should have friends, gayety. I am"
she smiled grimly In the darkness,
mot SO old myself but that I can I'M
derstand."
Hedwig stood still. The old city was
preparing for sleep. In the place q
few lovers loitered, standing close, and
the faint tinkling of a bell told of the
Blessed Sacrament being carried
through the streets to some bedside of
the dying. The Princess Hedwig
bowed her head.