Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1921-01-14

believe, just before Hubert"
YES" said Karl gravely, Gust be
fore"
lotto was q baby then"
"a very small child. I remember
that 7 was afraid TO handle him
HE is a curious boy, old beyond his
years. Rather a little prig, 1 think
He has an English governess, and she
has made him quite Il little woman
Karl laughed, but Hcdwig flushed
HE is not that sort at ALL" she de.
clared stoutly. He is lonely and-and
rather pathetic. The truth is that nc
one really cares for him, except"
Except Captain Larisch" said the
archduchcss smoothly. you and he
Hedwig, have done your best by him
surely"
The bit of byplay was not lost on
Karl-the sudden stiffcning OF He'd,
wigs back, Olca's narrowed eyes.
Olga had been right, then. Trust her
for knowing facts when they were dis.
agreeable, His eyes became set end
Watchful herd, too, had any noticed
There were ways to deal with such o
situation, Of course. They were Civ.
ing him this girl to secure their Own
safety, and she knew it. Had he not
been SO mad about her ne might have
pitied her, but he felt no pity, only q
deep and rescntful determination to
get rid Of Milky, and then to warm
her by his own fire. He might have
to break her first. After that manner
had many queens Of Karnia come to
the throne. He smiled behind his
small mustachc.
When tea was almost over, the
crown prince was announced. He
came in, rather neryously, with his
hands thrust in his trousers pockets.
He was very shiny with soap and
water and his hair was still damp
from parting. In his tailless black
jacket, his long gray trousers, and his
round Elton collar, he looked like q
very anxious little schoolboy, and not
royal at all.
NlCCtAhSS OFIIJ anu iidNAilE lG-
quested tilut his tea be half milk, with
four Jumps of sugar, he carried his
cup over beside Hedwig, and sat down
on a chair. Followed q short silence,
with the arChduchess busy with the
tea things, Olga Loschek watching
Karl, and Karl intently surveying the
crown prince. Ferdinand William
Otto, who disliked a silence, broke it
first.
1--WE just taken off my winter fan
nels," he observed. 81 feel very
smooth and nice underneath"
Hilda glggled, but Hedwig reached
over and stroked his arm. "Of course
you do" she said gently.
"Nikky," continued Prince William
Otto, stirring his tea, "does not wear
any fannels. Miss Braithwaite thinks
he is very careless"
King Karl's eyes cleaned with
amusement. He saw the Infatuated
face of the archduchess, and bent
toward the crown prince with earnest
ness.
"As matter of fact" he said,
"since you have mentioned the sub
feet, l do not wear any either. Your
Milky and 1 seem most surprisingly
to have the same tastes-about various
things"
DO you like dogs?" inquired the
crown prince, much interested.
'Dogs! Why, yes. l have quite a
number of dogs"
81 should think it would be nicer
to have just one dog, and be very
fond Of it. But I suppose they would
eat a great deal. Do you believe in
love at first sight?"
"Otto!" said the arcnduchess, ex-
tremely shocked.
He turned to her apolOgetically. 81
was only trying to find out how many
things he and Milky agreed about"
he explained. "Nikky believes i'll love
at first sight. He says it is the only
real kind of love, because love isn't
a thing you think out. You only feel
It,"
The archduchess met Earl's eyes,
'You sce" she said.
'But it is sound doctrine" Karl o.
served, bending forward and with a
slantlng glance at Hedwig. 81 quite
agree with him again. And this friend
Of yours, he thinks love is the only
thing in the world, I dare say?"
"Well, he thinks a great deal Of it.
But he says that love of country comes
first, before anything else"
The archduches3 glanced at Hcdwig
furiously. The, girl had closed her
eyes, and was sitting detached and
pale. She would have liked to box. her
ears. Karl was no fool, and there was
talk enough. He would hear it, OF
course.
"Tall US about your pilgrimage,
Otto" she suggested.
"Weu, / went" said the crown
prince redectivcly. eve walked a long
time and it was very warm. I have
quite large blister, and the arch
bishop had 10 take his shoes off ant
walk in his stockings, because his fee
hurt. No one saw. 1t was on coun
try lane, But I'm afraid it didn't dc
very much good" He drew a long
! breath ~
MOP" Karl inquired.
Suddenly the boys chin quivered