River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1918-05-23

SIRE.
"Aye," said the king. "And at forty
a bad man changes his nature, and
purifies himself in marriage! Non
sense, Karl will be as he has always
been. But we have gone into this be-
fore. Only, / am sorry for Hedwig.
Get rid of this young Larisch."
The chancellor SAT- rejecting, his
chin dropped forward on his breast.
"Otto will miss him."
"Well, out with it. / may not dis
miss him. What, then?"
sit is always easy to send men away.
But it is sometimes better to retain
them, and force them to your will. We
have here an arrangement that is sat
isfactory. Larisch is keen, young, and
loyal. Hedwig has thrown herself at
him. For that, sire, she is responsible,
not he"
'Then get rid of her." growled the
king.
The chancellor rose. eff the situation
is left to me, sire" he said, II will
promise two things. That Otto will
keep his friend, and that the Princess
Hedwig will bow to your wishes with
out further argument"
"Do it, and God help you,p said the
king, again with the flicker of amuse-
ment.
The chancellor had gone home.
walking heavily along the darkening
streets. Once again he had conquered.
The reins remained in his guarded old
hands. And he was about to put the
honor of the country into the keeping
of the son of Maria Menrad, whom he
had once loved.
So now he sat in his study, and
waited. When he heard Nikky's quick
step as he came along the tile passage,
he picked up his pipe.
Milky saluted, and made his way
across the room In the twilight, with
the ease of familiarity. Il am late,
sir" he apologized. eve found our
man, and he is safely jailed. He made
no resistance"
"Sit down." raid the chancellor.
And, touching a bell, he asked Ma
thilde for coffee. $50 we have him."
he reflected. "The next thing is to
discover if he knows who his assail-
ants were. That, and the person for
whom he acted-however sent for
you for another reason. What is this
about the Princess HedwigY
"The Princess Hedwigw
"What folly, boyi A young girl who
cannot know her own mind And for
such a bit of romantic trifling you
would ruin yourself. 1t is ruin. You
know that"
Milky remained silent, a little sui
len.
1.-THE princess went to the king with
her story this evening" The boy
started. "a cruel proceeding, but the
young are always cruel. The expected
result has followed: The king wishes
you sent away"
II am at his command, sir"
The chancellor filed his pipe from
bowl near by, working deliberately.
Milky sat still, rather rigid.
"May I ASK he said at last, "that
you say to the king that the RESPONSE
bility is mine? No possible blame can
attach to the Princess Hedwig. / love
her. and-I am not clever. show what
I feel"
'The immediate result" said the
chancellor cruelty, evil doubtless be
a putting forward of the date Of her
marriage" Nikky's hands clenched.
"a further result would be your dis
missal from the army. One does not
do such things as you have done, light
ly."
'Tightlyp' said Milky Larisch.
"Heaven!'
But" continued the chancellor, IL
have q better way. / have faith, for
one thing in your blood. The son Of
Maria Menrad must be-his mothers
son. And the crown prince is att
tached to you. Not for your sake, but
for his, I am inclined to be lenient.
What shall demand for that leniency
is that no word Of love again pass be-
tween you and the Princess Hedwig."
cit would be easier to go away"
Milky closed his eyes. It was get
ting to be a habit, just as some people
crack their knuckles.
ave need our friends about us" the
chancellor continued. "The carnival
is coming, always dangerous time for
us. The king grows weaker day by
day. A crisis is impending for all OF
us, and we need you"
Milky rose, steady enough now, but
white to the lips.
81 give my word, sir" he said. Il
shall say no word of-of how feel to
Hedwig. Not again. She knows-and
I think" he added proudly, shat she
knows shall not change. That shah
always"
''Exactlyl" said the chancellor. Tg
was the very pitch Of the kings dry
old voice. "Of course she knows, be-
ing a woman. And now, good night"