The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1918-11-07
CHAPTER v.-continued.

-
Mother, you cannot look back, and
and remember your W life. and al
low me to be wretched. You cal-
uoti"
Hedwig began TO cry.
The archduchess hated tears, and
her softer moments were only mo-
ments. DRY your eyes, and don't be
silly" she said coldly. You have al
ways known that sometime of the
sort was inevitable"
She moved toward the door. The
two princesses and her lady In wait.
Ing remained still until she had left
the table. Then they fell In behind
her, and the little procession moved to
the stuffy boudoir, for coffee. But
Hilda slipped her arm around her Sis
ter's waist, and the touch comforted
Eedwig.
HE may be very nice HIlda volun-
teesed cautiously. perhaps 1t is Karl.
[ am quite mad about Karl, myself"
Hedwig. however. was beyond listen
ing. She went slowly to a window,
and stood gazing out. Looming against
tAe 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. Her mother, frankly unhappy
In her marriage, permanently embit-
tered her grandmother. Hedwig had
never cen the king young. She could
not picture him As q lover. To her
be was q nne and lonely figure. But
romanticf Had he ever been roman,
hc7
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
q below, under the trees. Her heart
beat rapidly. Ir q moment she was
rertain. II was Milky down there.
Milky, gazing mp Al her as a child may
look at a star. With q quick gesture
Hedwig drew the curtain back. A
thin ray of light fell on her. on her
slim bare arms, on her light draperes.
on her young face. BE 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 II. or did the figure
salute herr Then came the quick rims
Of heels on the old stone pavement.
She knew his footsteps. even as she
knew every vibrant. eager infection OF
his voice. He went away, across the
square, like one who, having bent his
knee 10 q 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
Iiilda." she said.
A~nnunclata dozed. and Hilda played
softly. The countess opportunity had
come. She put down the dreary EN-
broidery with which she filled The
drearler evenings, and moved 20 tn,
window. She walked quietly, like 9
cat.
Her first words to Hedwig wers
those Of Peter Niburg as he linked
arms with his enemy and started dowr
NE street. "A fine night, highness.
she said.
Hedwig raised her eyes TO the stars
ut Is very lovely"
"A night to spend out.of.doors, in
stead Of being shut up" Sh'
finished her sentence with q shrug d
he shoulders.
Hedwig was not fond OF the count
ess. She did not know why. Tn,
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 waitinl
'reamily. II should like TO be In
motor, speeding over mountain roads
come from the mountains. you know
and ! miss them"
Hedwig moved. a little impatiently
but Az the countess went on. she liz
tened. After all. Milky. too. cam
from the mountains. And because an
was sorry for the countess, who wa
homesick, and perhaps because Jus
then she had to speak to some one
she turned to her Mt last with the thin
that filled her mind.
This marriage" she said bitterly
"Is II talked aboutf Am I the onl
n In the palace who has not know
about ~"
"No, highness. ! had heard nothing
or course, there are always rumors
"Ak To the otheP tha matter m