Beaver Herald (Beaver, Okla.), Vol. 31, No. 47, Ed. 1, Thursday, April 25, 1918 Page: 3 of 8
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THE BEAVER HERALD BEAVER OKLAHOMA
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Long Live the King
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By MARY ROBERTS RINEHART
Oopjrright 1017 by the Rldg-way Company All Right Reserved Copyright HIT by Mary Roberta Rlnehart
HEDWIG IS OFFERED AS A SACRIFICE TO SAVE THE TOT-
TERING KINGDOM OF LIVONIA.
8ynoptls. Tho crown prince of Livonia Ferdinand William Otto
ten yearn old taken to the opera by his aunt tires of the singing mid
ellps away to the park where he makes the acquaintance of Bobby
Thorpe a little American boy. Returning to the palace nt night ho
finds everything In an uproar as a result of the search which has been
made for him. The same night the chancellor calls to consult tho
boy's grandfather the old king who Is very III.' Tho chancellor sug-
gests that to preserve the kingdom the friendship of the neighboring
kingdom of Kurnta be secured by giving the Princess Hedwlg In mar-
riage to King Karl of that country. Countess Loschck lndy-ln-wnltlng
to Princess Annunclata Ilcdwlg's mother Is In love with King Karl
and plots to prevent his marriage to Iledwlg. Ilcdwlg who loves
Nlkky Larlsch Otto's aid do camp Is dismayed when told of the plans
for her marriage. Countess Loschck sends it secret message to Klug
Karl. The messenger Is attacked by ngents of tho terrorists and a
dummy letter substituted. Captain Larlsch unaware of the substitu-
tion holds up Karl's chauffeur and secures the envelope. The captnln
Impersonates Karl's chauffeur and exchanges tho sheet within tho
envelope for some clgnrette papers. On delivering the envelope to
Karl Larlsch Is made prisoner when tho deception Is discovered.
CHAPTER VII Continued.
The archduchess was terrified. Sho
had known that thero was disaffection
about. She knew that in tho last few
yenrs precautions at tho palace had
been Increased. Sentries were doubled.
Wen In the uniforms of lackeys but
doing no labor were everywhere. Hut
with time and safety she had felt se-
cure. "Of course" the king resumed
"things nre not as bad ns that paper
Indicates. It Is tho voice of the few
rather than the many. Still It is a
voice."
Annunctatn looked more than her age
now. She glanced around the room
"I Will Go Myself."
as though already sho heard tho mob
at the doors.
"To return to the matter of Ilcd-
wlg's marriage" said tho king. "I "
"Marriage I When our very lives nre
threatened!"
"I would bo greatly honored" said
tho king "If I might be permitted to
finish what I was saying."
She had tho grace to flush.
"Under tho circumstances" tho
king resumed "Hedwlg's marriage
takes on great significance great po-
litical significance."
For a half-hour then he talked to
her. More than for years ho un-
bosomed himself lie had tried. Ills
ministers had tried. Taxes had been
lightened; tho representation of the
people Increased until as he said he
was only nominally a ruler. But dis-
content remained. Some who hud gone
to America and returned with savings
enough to set themselves up in busi-
ness had brought back with them the
American Idea.
Annunclata listened to tho end. She
felt no pity for thoso who would bet-
ter themselves by discontent and its
product revolt. Sho felt only resent-
ment that her peace was being threat-
ened her position assailed. And in
her resentment she Included the king
himself. lie should have done better.
Aud something of this sho did not
hesitate to say. "Karnla is quiet
enough" she finished a final thrust.
"Karnln Is better off. A lowland
roost of it and fertile." But n spot
of color showed in his old checks. "I
nm glad you epoko of Karnla. What-
ever plans wo make Karnla must be
considered."
"Why? Karnla docs not consider
us."
He raised his hand. "You are
wrong. Just now Karnla Is doing us
the honor of- asking an alllanco with
las. A matrimonial alliance."
The archduchess was hardly sur-
prised as one may believe. But she
was not minded to yield too easily.
The old resentment against her father
j .- '"Cav
flamed. Indifferent mother though she
was she made capital of a fear for
Ilcdwlg's happiness.
At last she succeeded in irritating
tho king a more difficult thing now
than In earlier times but not so hard
a matter at that. Ho listened quietly
until sho had finished and then sent
her away. When sho had got part
way to the door however ho called
her back. And since a king is n king
even if he is one's father aud very old
she came.
"Just one word more" ho said In
his thin old high-bred voice. "Much
of your unhapplness was of your own
making. You and you only know how
much. But nothing that you have said
can chango the situation. I nm merely
compelled to make the decision ft! one
and soon. I have not much time."
So after all was tho matter of tho
Duchess Hedwlg's marriage arranged
a composite outgrowth of expediency
and obstinacy of defiance and anger.
And so was it hastened.
Irritntion gnvo the king strength.
That afternoon wero summoned In
hasto tho members of his council fnt
old Frlese young Marschall with tho
rat face austere Baycrl with the
will to skin and burning eyes and oth-
ers. And to them all the king dis-
closed his royal will. There was somo
demur. But after all the king's will
was dominant. Frlese could but volco
his protest and relapso into greasy
silence.
Tho chancellor sat Bllcnt during the
conclave silent but Intent. On each
speaker he turned his eyes and waited
until at last Karl's proposal with its
promises was laid before them in full.
Then nnd only then tho chnncellor
rose. His speech was short Ho told
them of what they all knew their own
insecurity. He spoke but a word of
tho crown prince but that softly. And
ho drew for them a picture of tho
futuro that set their hearts to glowing
a throne secure a greater kingdom
freedom from tho costs of war a har-
bor by the sea.
Tho battle which was no battle at
all was won. Ho had won. The coun-
try had won. Tho crown priuce had
won. Only Hedwlg had lost. Aria"
only Mcttllch knew just how sho had
lost.
Tho necessity for work brought tho
king tho strength to do it. Mcttllch
remained with him. Boxes wero
brought from vaults unlocked and ex
amined. Secretaries came nnd went.
At eight o'clock n frugal dinner was
spread In the study and they ate It
almost literally over state documents.
On and on until midnight or there-
abouts. Then they stopped. Tho thing
wns arranged. Nothing wns left now
but to carry the word to Karl.
Two things were necessary: Haste.
Tho king having determined it would
lose no time. And dignity. The grand-
daughter of the king must bo offered
with ceremony. No ordinary king's
messenger then but some dignitary of
the court.
To this emergency Mettllch rose llko
the doughty old warrior and statesman
that ho was. "If you are willing sire"
ho said as he rose "I will go myself."
"When?"
"Slnco it must be done the sooner
the better. Tonight sire."
"To tho capital?"
"Not so far. Karl Is hunting. He is
at Wedellng."
no went almost immediately nnd
tho king summoned bis valets and was
got to bed. But long after tho auto-
mobllo containing Mettllch and two so-
crct agents wns on the road toward
tho mountains ho tossed on his nar-
row bed. To what straits had they
come Indeed! He closed his eyes
wearily. Something had gone out of
his life. Ho did not realize at first
what it was. When ho did he smiled
his old grim smile In the darkness.
Ho had lost a foe. More than any-
thing perhaps be had dearly loved a
foe.
CHAPTER VIII.
On the Mountain Road.
The 'low gray car which carried tho
chancellor was on its way through the
mountains. It moved oUberr4ly for
two reasons. First tho chancellor was
afraid of motors. He had a horseman's
hatred and fear of machines. Second
he wns not of a mind to reuse King
Knrl from a night's sleep even to bring
the hand of the Princess Hedwlg. Ills
Intention wns to put up at some Tnn
In a village not far from tho lodgo nnd
to reach Karl by messenger enrly in
the morning before tho hunters left
for the dny.
Then nil being prepared duly nnd In
order Mcttllch himself would arrive
and things would go forward with
dignity anil dispatch.
Tho valley of tho Ar deepened. Tho
cliff roso nbova them n wnll broken
here nnd there 1iy the offtnko of nar-
row ravines filled with forest trees.
Thero was a pause while the chains
on tho rear wheels were supplemented
by others In front for there must bo
no danger of a skid. And nnothcr
pause where tho road slanted peril-
ously toward tho brink of the chasm
and caution dictated t'-it tho chancel-
lor alight and make u hundred feet or
so of dangerous curve nfoot.
It required diplomacy to get him out
But It was finally done and his heavy
figure draped in Its military cape
went on nheud outlined by tho lamps
of the car behind him.
Ho was well around tho curve nnd
the cliff was broken by n wedge of
timber when n curiously shnpet' ob-
ject projected Itself over the edgo of
the bank aud rolling down lay almost
at his feet. The lumps brought It Into
Miarp relief a man gagged and tied
nud rolled cigar shaped In an auto-
mobile robe.
Tho chancellor turned nnd cnllcd to
his men. Then ho bent over the bun-
dle. The others ran up and cut tho
bonds. What with cold and long In-
action nnd his recent drop over tho
bank the man could not speak. Ono
of the secret service men had a flask
and held it to his lips. An nmazlng
situation Indeed Increased by the dis-
covery that under tho robe ho wor'o
only his undergarments with n sol-
dier's tunic wrapped around his shoul-
ders. They carried him into tho car
where ho lay with head lolling back
and bis swollen tongue protruding.
Half dead ho was with cold and long
anxiety. The brandy cleared his mind
long before he could speak nnd ho
saw by the uniforms that he was in
the hands of the enemy. Ho turned
'sulkily silent then convinced that ho
had escaped one death but to meet an-
other. Twenty-four hours now lie had
faced eternity and ho was rendy.
He preferred however to dlo fully
clothed and when in response to his
pointing up tho bank and to his In-
articulate mouthlngs one of the secret
police examined tho bit of woodland
with his pocket flush ho found a pair
of trousers where Nlkky had left them
neatly folded nnd hung over tho branch
of n tree. The brandy being supple-
mented by hot coffee from n patent bot-
tle tho man revived further mado nn
effort and sat up. Ills tonguo was
still swollen but they mado out what
he said. He had been there slnco tho
night before. Ha was of Karnla and
a king's messenger.
"I wns coming back from tho bar-
rier" ho said thickly "where I had
carried dispatches to tho officer In
charge. On my return a man hailed
mo from tho side of tho rond near
whero you found me. I thought that
ho desired to be taken on nnd stopped
my car. But ho attacked me. He was
armed and I wns not. He knocked mo
senseless and when I awakened I was
They Carried Him Into the Car.
nbovo the road among trees. I gave
myself up when tho snow commenced.
Few pass this way. But I heard your
car coming and mado a desperate ef-
fort" "Then" asked one of the agents
"these are not your clothes?"
"They nre his sir."
Tho agent produced a flash light and
inspected the garments. Before the
chancellor's eyes button by button
strap on the sleeve star on the cuff
came Into view the uniform of a cap
Bra
tnln of his own regiment tho grena-
diers. Then ono of his own men had
done this Infamous thing ono of his
own officers Indeed.
"Go through tho pockets" ho or-
dered sternly.
Came Into view under tho flash n
pair of gloves a box of matches n silk
handkerchief a curd case. Tho agent
said nothing hut passed n card to tho
chancellor who read it without com-
ment. Thero wns silence In tho cnr.
At last tho chancellor stirred. "This
man ho took your car on?"
"Yes. And he has not returned. No
other machine has passed."
The secret service men exchnnged
glnuces. There was in ore to this than
appeared. Somewhere ahead then
was Nlkky Larlsch with a motor that
did not belong to him nnd wcnrlng
clothing which his victim described as
n chuuffcur's coat of leather breeches
and puttees and a fur grentcoat over
all.
"Had tho snow commenced when
this happened?"
"Not then sir. Shortly nftcr."
"Go out with the driver" the
chancellor ordered ono of his men
"and watch the road for the tracks of
another car. Go slowly."
So It wns that after an hour or so
they picked up Nlkky's trail now
twenty-four hours old but still clear
nnd followed it. Tho chancellor was
awake enough by this time and bend-
ing forward. When nt last the trail
turned from tho hlghwny toward the
shooting box nt Wedcllug Mettllch fell
back with something between a curse
uud n groan.
"Tho fool I" ho muttered. "Tho
young fool I It was madness."
At lust they drew up nt an inn in
tho village on tho roynl preierve and
the chancellor looking rather gray
alighted. He directed that the man
they had rescued be brought In. Tho
chancellor was not for losing him just
yet. He took n room for him at tho
Inn nnd rather cavalierly locked him
in it.
The chancellor sipped hot milk and
considered. Nlkky Larlsch a prisoner
in Karl's hands cuuscd him less
anxiety than it would have a mouth
before. But what was behind It all?
At a little before live the man out-
side tho prisoner's door hurd some
thing insldo the room. Ho glunccd in.
All was quiet Tho prisoner slept
heavily genuine sleep. There wns no
mistaking it the sleep of u man warm
after lpng cold nnd exhaustion weary
nftcr violent effort. The agent went
out again and locked tho door behind
him.
And as tho door closed a trap door
from tho kitchen below opened softly
under the sleeping man's bed. With
grcnt caution camo the landlord head
first then shoulders. Tho spaco was
cramped. He crawled up like a snako
out of a hole and ducked behind tho
curtains of tho bed. All was still quiet
savo that the man outside struck a
match and lighted n pipe.
Half an hour Inter the chancellor's
prisoner still stiff and weak was mak-
ing his way toward tho hunting lodge.
Kaiser saw him first and found the
story uncnllghtcnlng. Nor could Karl
roused by a terrified valet mako much
more of it. When tho man had gone
Karl lay back among his pillows and
eyed his agent
"So Mettllch Is here!" ho said. "A
hasty Journey. They must be eager."
"They must be in trouble" Knlscr
observed dryly. And on that uncom-
plimentary comment King Knrl slept
his fnco drawn Into n wenry smile.
But he received tho chancellor of
Llvonln cordially tho next morning go-
ing himself to the lodgo doorstep to
meet his visitor and thero shaking
hands with him.
"I am greatly honored excellency"
ho snld with his twisted smile.
"And I sire."
But tho . chancellor wntched hlra
from under his shaggy brows. Tho
messenger hnd escaped. By now Knrl
knew the story knew of his midnight
ride over tho mountains and the haste
it Indicated.
Karl himself led the way to his
study Ignoring the chamberlain nnd
stood aside to let Mettllch enter.
Then he followed and closed tho door.
"It Is a long tlmo slnco you hnvo
honored Karnla with n visit" Karl ob-
served. "Will you sit down?"
Karl himself did not sit. ne stood
negligently bcsldo the muntel an arm
stretched ulung It
"Not slnco tho bnttlo of the Ar
sire" replied the chancellor dryly. Ho
had headed an army of invasion then.
Knrl smiled. "I hopo that now your
errand Is more peaceful."
For answer tho chnncellor opened n
portfolio ho carried and fumbled
among its papers. But having found
the right one he held it without open-
ing it "Bcforo wo come to that sire
you havo here I believe detained for
somo strange reason n Captain Lar-
lsch Ude-de-cnmp" ho paused for ef-
fect "to his royal highness tho crown
prlnco of Livonia."
Karl glanced up quickly. "Perhaps
If you will describo this gentle-
man "
"Nonsense" Bald the chancellor test-
ily. "You have blm. We have traced
him here. Although by what authority.
you hold him I fall to understand. I
am here to find out what you hnvo
done with him."
"Done with him?" echoed Knrl. "If
ns Captain Larlsch you refer to n mad-
man who tho night before last "
"I do sire. Mailman Is the word."
"lie Is n prisoner" Karl said In a
new tone stem enough now. "He as-
saulted and robbed ono of my men.
He stole certain documents. That ho
has not suffered for It already was be-
cause well because I believed that
the unfortunate distrust between your
country nnd mine excellency was
about to end."
A threat that undoubtedly. Let tho
arrangement between Karnln nnd Ll-
vonln be made with Hedwlg to seal
the bargain nnd Nlkky wns safe
enough. But let Livonia demand too
much or not ngree nt all and Nlkky
was lost. Thus did Nlkky Larlsch play
his small pnrt In the game of nations.
"Suppose" said Knrl unctuously
"that we discuss first another more Im
partnnt matter. 1 confess to n certnln
Impntlcnce." Ho bowed slightly.
Tho chnncellor hesitated. Then ho
glanced thoughtfully nt tho pnper in
his hand.
Through n long luncheon tho two
nlono nnd even tho servants dis
missed through n longer nfternoon
negotiations went on. Mcttllch fought
hard on somo points only to meet le-
Want That Letter."
feat Karl stood Arm. Tho great fort-
resses on the border must hereafter
contain only nominal garrisons. For
tho seaport strip bo had almost dou
bled his price. Tho railroad must bo
completed within two years.
"Tho Princess Hedwlg" Karl said
suddenly. "She has been tqld of
courso?"
"Not officially. She knows how-
ever." "How does sho regnrd It?"
Tho chancellor hesitated. "Llko
most young women sho would prefer
making her own choice. But that"
he added hastily "Is but a whim. Sho
Is a lovable and nmlablo girl. When
tho tlmo comes she will bo willing
enough."
Knrl stared out through ono of tho
heavily curtained windows. Ho wns
not so sure. And tho tlmo had gono
by when ho would hnvo enjoyed tho
taming of a girl. Now he wanted
peace was ho not paying a prlco for
It? and children to inherit his well-
managed kingdom. And perhaps who
knows? a llttlo love. Beforo hlra roso
n vision of Hedwlg her frank eyes her
color that roso and fell her soft round
body.
"You havo no reason to believe that
sho has looked elsewhere?"
"None elre" said the chancellor
stoutly.
By Into afternoon all wns arranged
pnpers signed nnd witnessed and tho
two signatures affixed tho ono small
nnd cramped a soldier's hand; tho
other bold nnd flowing tho scrawl of
a king. And Hedwlg save for the cere-
mony was the bride of Karl of Kar-
nla. It was then that the chancellor roso
and stretched his legs. "And now
sire" ho snld "since we are friends
nnd no longer enemies you will I
know relenso that mad boy of mine."
"When do you start back?"
"Within nn hour."
"Before thnt time" said Knrl "you
shall have him chancellor."
And with thnt Mettllch was forced
to bo content no trusted Knrl no
more now than he ever had. But he
made his ni""Mis with no hint of trou
ble in his face.
Karl stood for a moment In the open
nlr. It was done then nnd well done.
It was hard to realize. He turned to
the west whero for so long behind tho
mountnlns had lurked nn enemy. A
new era wns opening; peace disarma-
ment n quiet nnd prosperous land no
had spent his years of war and women.
Thai was over.
When ho returned to the study tho
agent Kaiser was nlready there. But
Karl big with plans for tho future
would havo been alone and eyed tho
agent with disfavor.
"Wcll7" ho demanded.
"We have been able to search tho
chancellor's rooms sire" tho agent
said "for tho articles mentioned last
night n card case gloves add n silk
handkerchief belonging to tno pris-
oner upstairs. He Is Captain Larlach
aide-de-camp to the crown prince of
Livonia."
He bad expected Earl to be lm-
Wmr
VV. n-jCL-'
"I
pressed. But Knrl only looked at him.
"I know that" he said coldly. "Yon
nre always Juit a llttlo late with your
Information Knlscr."
Something llko malice showed In the
agent's face. "Then you also know
sire that It Is this Captain Larlsch
with whom rumor couptcs the nnme of
the Princess ncdwlg." Ho stepped bnck
n pnee or two nt sight of Knrl's face.
'Tou requested such information sire."
For answer Knrl pointed to the door.
For Bomo tlmo nfter he had dis-
missed the agent Knrl pneed bis
library alone. Knlscr brought no un-
verified Information. Therefore the
thing wns true. Therefore he had hnd
his enemy In his hand nnd now was
pledged to let him go. For a time
then Knrl paid the penalty of many
misdeeds. Ills triumph wns ashes in
his mouth.
What if this boy Infatuated with
Hedwlg had hidden somewhero on the
road Olgn Loschek's letter? What
then If he recovered It nnd took it to
Hedwlg? What If-
But nt last he sent for tho prisoner
upstairs nnd waited for him with both
Jealousy nnd fenr In his eyes.
Five minutes Inter Nlkky Larlsch
wns ushered Into the red study nnd
hnvlng bowed nn Insolent young bow
nt thnt stood and eyed the king.
"I havo sent for you to relenso you"
said Karl.
Nlkky drew a long breath. "I an
grateful sire."
"You have been Interceded for by
the chnncellor of Livonia General
Mcttllch who has just gone."
Nlkky bowed.
Knrl fixed him with cold eyes. "But
bcforo you tnko leave of us" ho said
Ironically "I should llko tho true story
of the night beforo Inst Somehow
somewhere a letter Intended for mo
was exchanged for a blank paper. I
want thnt letter."
"I know no more than you sire.
It Is not reasonable that I would have
taken tho risk I took for nn envelope
containing nothing."
"For thnt matter" said his majesty
"there was nothing reasonable about
anything you did !"
And now Karl played his trump card
played It with watchful eyes on Nlk-
ky's face. He would see if report
spoke tho truth if this blue-eyed boy
was In love with Ilcdwlg. He wns n
Jealous man this Karl of tho cold
eyes Jealous and passionate. Not ns a
king then watching n humble soldier
of Livonia but as man to man he
gazed nt Nlkky. i
"For fear that loyalty keeps you
silent I may say to you that the old
troubles between Karnla and Livonia
are over."
"I do not understand sire."
Knrl hesitated. Then with his
twisted smile he cast the rigid
etiquette of such matters to the winds.
"It Is very simple" he said. "There
will be no more troublo between these
two neighboring countries because a
marriage has today been arranged a
ranrrlagq between the Princess Hedwlg
his majesty's granddaughter and my-
self." For a moment Nlkky Larlsch closed
his eyes.
Tho anniversary of tho death of
Prince Hubert dawned bright and
sunny. Tho place showed a thin cov-
ering of snow which clung wet and
sticky to the trees; but by nlno
o'clock most of it had disappeared and
Prlnco Ferdinand William Otto was
Informed that the excursion would
take place.
Two motors took tho party by back
streets to tho landing stage. In the
first were Annuncintn Hedwlg and
tho countess nnd at tho last moment
Otto hnd salvaged Miss Brnlthwalte
from the second car and begged a
place for her with him. A police ngent
at beside the chauffeur. Also another
cor Just ahead contained other
agents by Mcttllch's order before his
departure a plain black motor with-
out tho royal arms.
In the second machine followed a
part of the suite Hedwlg's lady la
waiting two gentlemen of the court
In parade dress and Father Gregory
come from his monastery nt Etzel to
visit his old friend the king.
At the landing stage a Braall crowd
had gathered on seeing the red carpet
laid and the gilt ropes put up which
Indicated n roynl visit A small girl
with a hnstlly secured bouquet In her
hot hands stood nervously waiting. In
deferenco to tho nnnlversnry the flow-
ers were tied with a black ribbon.
Annunclata grumbled when she saw
the crowd and the occupants of tho
first car looked them over carefully. It
remained for Hedwlg to spy the black
ribbon. In tho confusion she slipped
over to the llttlo girl who went quite
white with excitement "They are
lovely" Hedwlg whispered "but please
tnko off the block ribbon." The child
eyed her anxiously. "It will come to
plecee highness."
"Take the ribbon from your hair. It
will be benutlful."
Which was donol But ns was not
unnntural the child forgot her speech
and merely thrust the bouquet tied
with a large pink bow Into the hands
of Prince Ferdinand William Otto.
Here" sho snld. It was perhaps
the briefest and therefore the most
ngreenble presentation speech tho
crown prince had ever heard.
Old Adelbert crippled veteran
and long an attendant at the
opera lotes his position an
event which starts a train of
circumstances which have a
strange bearing upon the future
of the kingdom of Livonia.
(TO BE CONTINUED.)
1 -
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Beaver Herald (Beaver, Okla.), Vol. 31, No. 47, Ed. 1, Thursday, April 25, 1918, newspaper, April 25, 1918; Beaver, Oklahoma. (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc69202/m1/3/: accessed March 29, 2024), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.