The Dermott news., 1918-02-14

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 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. So 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 up Prince Ferdinand William Otto. Or attending to his ears. But, of course. there were sentries outside his door. and valet de chambre to be rung for. and il number of embroidered eagles scattered about on the curtains and things, and country surrounding him which would one day be his. un- less
 At any time" said General Nett lich. and was grimly silent.
 "Nell?" inquired the king. after a time. You have something to sug- gest. I take it."
 The old soldier cleared his throat. Sire" he began. Tt Is said that chancellor should have but one pas sion. his king. have two, my king and my country"
 both passions. relied on both And found them both bit troublesome at times!
 "Onee, some years ago, sire. came to you with plan. The Princess Hedwig was child then. and his late royal highness was-stlll with us. For that. and for other reasons. your majesty refused to listen. But things have changed. Between us and revo- lution there stand only the frall life of boy and an army none too large. and already, perhaps, affected. There Is much discontent, and the offspring ef discontent Is anarchy"
 The king snarled. But Mettlich had taken his courage in his hands, and went on. Their neighbor and hered- itary foe was karnia. Could they any longer afford the enmlty of Kar- nia? One cause of discontent was the expense of the army, and of the forti- fications along the karnian border. If Karnia were allied with them, there would be no need of so great an army. They had the mineral wealth, and karnia the seaports. The old dream of the empire. of railway to the sea, would be realized.
 He pleaded well. The idea was not new. To place the little King Otto TX on the throne and keep him there in the face of opposition would re quire support from outside. karnia would furnish this support. For d price.
 The price was the Princess He'd wig.
 That Is my plea, sire" Mettlich finished. Karl of Karnia Is anxious to marry, and looks this way. To al- lay dlscontent and growing insurrec- tion. to insure the boys safety and his throne, to beat our swords Into plough shares"-here he caught the kings Scowl and added-"to certain ex- tent and to make us commercial as we'll as military nation, surely, sire. il gains much for us. and loses Us nothing"
 "Bnt our independence! said the king sourly
 However. he did not dismiss the idea. The fright of the afternoon had weakened him and if Mettlich were right the roynlist party would need outside help to maintain the throne.
 "karnia :" he said, 'rhe Hon and the lamb, with the lamb inside the lion And In the meantime the boy
 He should be watched always"
 He has Lussin." Count Lussln was the crown princess aide-de-camp.
 He needs a man, sire" observed the chancellor rather tartly.
 The ling cleared his throat. This youngst,r he is so fond of, young Larisch. would he please you better?" he askee, with ironic deference.
 "A good boy. sire. You may recall that his mother" He stopped.