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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Times, 1911-12-28, Page 7ii ticr,The Ziff) GO SE GIRL By HAROLD MacGRATH CopYriCht. 1909, by the Bobbs-Merrill Company I "Only a few days. Then I shall pro• teed to Bavaria.!' "Your excellency bas no further or - Dern?" eatd the bead gardener patient- V- . "Good heaven, Breunner. I had for- gottpn all about you! There is nothing more:. Herr Captain. you will return with me to the ballroom?" "If your excellency will excuse me, no. I am tired I shall return to the hotel with Herr Grutinbach." Carmichael and Grumbach crossed the Platz leisurely. "How did you come by that Bava- rian passport?" asked Carmichael ab- ruptly. "It is a forgery, my friend, but his excellency will never find that .out." "You have me all at sea. Why did be bring in the head gardener and Leave him standing there all' that While?' "He bad a sound purpose, but it felL The head gardener did not recognize nee." "Do you know him?' ,t "Yes. He is my elder brother." The ambassador from Jugendheit, Baron von Steinbock, was not popular in Dreiberg, at least not, among the people who still held to the grand duke's idea that the kingdom had been behind the abduction of the Princess Ilildegarde. Never a hot beaded Drei- berger passed his house without a de- sire to loot it, to scale the piked fence sand batter in the doors and windows. The king of Jugendheit was to mar- ry her serene highness. The menials in and about the embassy felt the new importance of tbeir positions. So then Imagine the indignation of the major - demo when, summoned at dusk 'one ?evening to the carriage gates three or four days after the portentous news bad issued from the palace, be found ,only a ragged and grimy carter who .demanded peremptorily to be admit- ted and taken to his excellency at .once. "Go away!" The majordomo spun .on bis heels contemptuously. "I will skin you alive," vowed the .carter, striking the iron with the butt ,of bis whip, "if you do not open these ,gates immediately. Open!" "If you do not stop hammering on those bars I shall send for tbe police."' : The carter thrust a hand through the grill. Tbere was a ring on one of his fingers.- "Imbecile, ngers:"imbecile, set your eye on that and admit me without more ado!" _ .__ He threw T.III+a WJNG IA: TINES,. DECEMBER. 28 1911 "I am indeed that, count, I recelted "There will be no war," resumed her s letter today from the nrheee regent; highness. "I know hey lather, Qur It was Pent to him by hie tnaiel}tr. wills may cladt, but in this instance who is hunting to Bavaria,. head it, 'mine shall be elle stronger," count, but I Prey to you to do Doth- "+But this is not the cede, in; hastily." "Xoa mean that there will be. other The chancellor did spot open the let- kings?" ter; he merely balanced It- $is ac- I "Yee, there will be other kings, 1 am customed Pallor assumed a. sr#yial4 sorry, What young girl has net her tinge.. I dream of romance? But princesses. "So his majesty declines?". be e*W must not have romaaees. Yours, my evenly, ehlld, must be a political marriage. It "You have already heard?" cried the 's a harsh decree." amazed ambassador. "My highness will. "Nothing. I surmIse, The hour, ate she !leases. Am your appearance, the letter=to what else could they point? I was afraid all along. Ah, if his majesty coi}i'd but see her: Is she not worthy of s crown?" "Verbeck. nothing would please me better thanto see tide marriage con- summated." "I believe yon. We two peoples should be friendly. It has taken me months to bring this. matter) round. The duke rebelled; her highness scorn- ed the hand of Frederick. Still, if you saw ail the evidence in the case you would not blame the duke for his at- titude." "But those documents are rank for- geries!" "So they may be, but that has sot been proved. What' remedy do you suggest?" asked the. chancellor. "I suggest that the duke must not know." "Agreed. Go on." "You will put the matter before her highness." "That will be difficult." "Let her repudiate the negotiations. Let her say that she bas changed her mind.- His majesty is quite willing that the humiliation be his."' "That is generous. But suppose she has set her heart on the crown of Ju- gendheit. What then?' "In that event the affair is no longer .1n our bands, but in God's." "Is there no way of changing the king's mind?" "Read the letter, count." said . the ambassador. Herbeck read the letter. It was the work of a rather irresponsible boy. "May I take this to her highness?" asked the chancellor. "I promise its contents will not go beyond her eye." "I will take the risk." Serbeck consulted his watch. It was half after 6. Her highness did not dine till 8. "1 shall go to her highness 'tame diately, baron. I -shall return the let- ter, by messenger, and he will tell you the result of the interview." "God be with you," said the ambas- sador, preparing to take his leave, "for allwomen are contrary." After the baron was gone the chan- cellor paced the room with halting step. Then toward the wraith of his ambition he waved a hand as if to ex- plain how futile are the schemes of men. He proceeded to the apartments of her highness. Would she toss aside this crown or would she fight for it? He found her alone. He saluted her hand respectfully. "I have here a letter. I have given my the %mics the baron expectedto hear. "Mr mune nt present duff nut mat- er '1' he ilea I bring is tar tuore in.- p titan. 11Is majesty eulphatic'ully de- clines any alliance with the house of I-IirF'tl. lelil " "t)uhnatnu:" swore the hmhassa- 1ur -'The exact word used by the prince. Now then, what's to be done?" "Phis tneaus -Wel': It looks as If you and 1. baleen, shall nut accompany the king of Prussia auto Alsace-Lorralue.'" "This is horrible!" "But what possessed the prince to blunder like this?" "The prince really is not to blame. Our king. baron, is a young colt. A. few months ago he gave his royal un- cle carte blanche to seek a wife for beim. Politics demanded an alliance between Jugendheit and Ehrenstein. There have been too many years of useless antagonism. On the head of this bolt from heaven comes the dec- laration of his majesty that he will marry any other princess on the conti- nent." "They will pull this place down." "Let them. We have 10,000 more troops than Ehrenstein." "You young men are a pack of fools!" "Softly, baron." "Where Is the king?' The carter smiled. "Be is hunting. they say, with the crown prince of Bavaria." "But you, why have Feu come dress- ed like this?" "That is .a little secret." "But what's to be done?' "Tell lies. They will suspend the catastrophe till we are ready to meet It. The ''.Triage is not to take place till spring. That will give us plenty of time. After the coronation his majes- ty may be brought to reason. This marriage must not fall through now. The grand duke will not care to be' come the laughingstock of Europe. The prince's advice is for you to go '. about your affairs as usual. Only one man must be taken into your confi- dence, and that man is Herbeck. If any one can straighten out his end of the tangle it is he." "Where is the prince?' "Wherever he is he is working for the best interests of the state." "There is the Bavarian princess," re- marked the ambassador musingly. "Ha! A good thought! But the king is romantic. She is older than he and ugly." "You are not telling me everything," Intuitively. "I know it I am telling you all that is at present necessary." "You make me the unhappiest man in the kingdom! I have worked so hard and long "toward this end. When did the king decline this alliance?' "Evidently the moment he heard It I have his letter. Listen: "My Illustrious and Industrious Uncle—I regret exceedingly that at this late day I should cause you polttl'cal embarrassment, but when Lgave my consent to the es- pousal of any of the various princesseo at liberty surely it was understood that Ehrenstetn was not to be considered. I refuse to marry the daughter of the man who privately stro. who dared Impute to cover e to him father with contumely, a crime that was any man's but my fa- ther's. 1 realize that certain policies called 'for this stroke on your part, but it cannot be. MY dear uncle. you have dug a tins put, and I hope you will find a safe way out of tt. I ncess IIildegarde. rThis eis final. to It canhe be ar- ranged without any discredit to the duke or to yourself. Let it be said that her sereno highness has thrown me over. I shan't go to war about it. FRUpERICIG ""Observe 'My illustrious and indus- trious uncle!' " laughed the carter without mirth. "Our king, you will see, bas a graceful style." He gained his feet. He was young, pleasant of face, but a thorough soldier. "You are Lieutenant von stein!" cried the ambassador. ognize you now." •iTbanks, your excellencyV' "You are in the royal household, the regent's invisible arm. I have heard a good deal about you. I knew your fa- ther well." "Again, thanks, Now, the regent bas heard certain rumors regarding An American named Carmichael, a consul. He is often' seen with her highness. Rather an extraordinary? privilege." "Rest your mind there, lieutenant This Carmichael I'd harmlests. Be can be eliminated at any time," "This is reassuring. You will see the chancellor tonight and show him thio letter?" "I will." "One word more, and then I'm oft. If a butcher ora baker or even a mountaineer pulls the bell 'cord >ind shows this ring admit him without ", 'tai vows. til have v fail. H owl E'er half an hour the ambassador re- mained glaring at the candlestieks. Be wanted no dither. Be rang for his lint and coat, rind twenty minutes later he was 111 the chatieellor's cabinet "You seem out of ' health, baron," WO the chancellor's greeting. The majordomo was thunderstruck. back the bolts, and ,carter pushed his way in. That ring ,on the carter's finger! "Take me to the baron." Vastly subdued, the majordomo pre- ceded the carter into the office of the .embassy and went in search of the baron, who was in his study. "Your excellency, there is a man in the office Who desires to see you quick 'Ithe A carter!" The ambassador jumped to bis feet. "One moment, your excellency. Be ` wore a ring on his finger, and I could not refuse him." The majordomo whispered two words. The am- bassador rushed from the study. It was dark in tbe embassy of- fice. Quickly the ambassador light- ed some candles. Gas would be too bright for such a meeting. -Well, your ex- cellency?" said a voice from the leather ;lounge. "Who are you?" not or will net marry, 1 a chattel that I am to be offered across this from. tier or that?" The chancellor moved uneasily. "You will, then, tell the duke .that you have changed your mind, that you have recon- sidered?' be per- sisted. "This evening. No*, godfather, you may kiss her serene highness on the forehead." "This honor to the?" The chan- "I SHALL NEED ,Tse roller trembled. WHOLE ROOM TO '• "Even 80." DANCIi Ix."' He did not touch her with his hands,` but the kiss he put' on her forehead was a 'benedic- tion. "You -may go now," she said, "for I shall need .the whole room to .dance in. I am free, if only fir a little while!" CHAPTER VL anErcnzr's' DAY. '"woo An von?' LET EVERYONE USE CHRISTMAS STAMPS Raden- "I rec- "You. are thinking of learliig?" l ,, Yes. When I go I shall not Couto back. Under my pillow there $11, 44 en+ !. velope. You will and It and keep it.'" Gretchen, young and healthy, touch• ed not this melancholy nnderqurrent. "You will promise to take it?" ""'yes, frau." "Thanks, little gosling. I have all errand for, you this morning. It wW take you to the palace." "To the palace!" echoed Gretchen. "What shall Ido?" "You will seek her highness and give her this note," "The princess! Will they not laagb• and turn me out?" "If they try that, demand to see his I, excellency Count von Herbeck and say that you came from No. 40 Krumer. wog." "And if 1 cannot get In?" "You will have no trouble. Be sure, though, to give the note to no one but her highness." Gretchen decked her beantlful head with a little white cap, which she wore only on Sundays and at the opera, and braided and beribboned her hair. Who was this old woman who th'aught nothing of writing a letter to her serene highness? And who were her nocturnal visitors? she pondered.. Being of a dlscerutng mind. she idled about the Platz till after 9, for it had been told to her that the great sleep rather late in the, morning. What should she say to her serene highness? What kind of courtesy should she make? At least she would wear no humble, servile air, for Gretchen was a bit of a Socialist. Did not Herr Goldberg, whom the pollee detested —did he not say that alt men were equal? And surely this sweeping stntemeut included women. With a coniidence born of right and Irmo - (Time she proceeded toward the east or side gates of the palace. The sentry smiled at her. •'I have a letter for her serene high- ness." she said. "Leave it." "I am under orders to give it to her highness herself." . "You cannot enter the gardens with- out a permit:" Gretchen remembered. "Will you send some oue to his excellency the chancellor and tell him I have come from No. 40 Krumerweg?' "Krumerweg! The very name ought to close any gate. But, girl, are you speaking truthfully?" Gretchen exhibited the note. He scratched his chin, 'perplexed. "Run along. If they ask me I'll say that I didn't see you." The sentry re- sumed his beat. came pattering in to be relieved of Gretchen stepped Inside the gates, their creamy ,burden. Gretchen was and the real beauty et the gardens fond of them. They needed no care at all. The moment she had milked •ening- 'ti' them they went tinkling off to the steep pastures. Even in midsummer the dawn was chill in Dreiberg. Gretchen blew on her fingers. The fire began its cheer- ful crackle, the kettle boiled briskly,and the frugal breakfast was underway. There was daily one cup of coffee, but neither Gretchen nor her grand- mother claimed this luxury; it was for the sick woman on the third door. What the character of the woman's illness was Gretchen hadn't an idea, but there could be no doubt that she was ill, desperately, had the goose girl but known it. Her face was thin and the bones were visible under the drumlike skin; her bands were merely claws. She tnystlfied the girl, for she never complained. never asked ques- tions, talked but little, and always smiled kindly when the pillow was freshened. "Good morning, frau," said Gretchen. "Goad morning, liebehen." "1 have brought you a brick this morning, for it will be cold till the sun Is high." "Thank you." Gretchen pulled the deal table to the side of the cot, poured out the cof- fee and buttered the bread. "I ought not to drink coffee, but it is the only thing that warms me. You have been very patient with me." "I am gind to help you.' "And that is why I love you. Now, 1 have some instructions to give you this morning. Presently I shall be leaving, and there will be something besides crowns." • RETOHEN was 'always up When the morning was rosy,. when the trees were still dark and motionless and the beads of dew white and frostlike, for what Is better than to meetthe day as it comes over the mountains and silence breaks here and there in the houses and streets, in the fields and the vineyards? Let old age, which has played its part and taken to the wings of the stage— let old age loiter in the morning, but not green years. Gretchen awoke as the birds awoke, with snatches and. little trills of song. To her 'nearest neighbors there was about her that which reminded them of the regularity of a good clock; when they beard her voice they knew it was time to get up. She was always busy in the,morning. The tinkle of the bell outside brought her to the door, and her two goats n0gl11nutlllalltlillllllUl111a1tapllpaf nlllglllllllpuulilunu,. 9 00 pimps: I INUY wu I umtnummnlmlm, uwnnum unnnm u ununnt nmw - VII, FA- niw`uwtu 1uInIunaunu mmmuuun e: table'1'reparatiolnfor,As- slmilatIngt ffoodandEe uta- tifig we stontacns and•Dowo or "80 HIS MAJESTY Diu moors?" un RAID EVENLY. word that its contents shall not be re- peated to the duke, your father. If I let you read it will you agree to that?" "And who has written this letter?" noncommittally. "His majesty the king of Jugend- heit," slowly. "A. letter from the king!" she Cried, curious. "Should it not be brought to ins on a golden salver?" "It to probable that I am bringing it to you at the end—of a bayonet," sol- emnly. "If the duke learns it contents the inevitable result will be war." A silence fell upon them. "IIe declines the honor of my hand -- is that not it?" she finally said. The chancellor assented. "Ah!" with a note of , pride in her voice and a, Sash in her eyes. "And I?" "You will tell the duke that you have changed your mind," gravely. "And if I refuse to change my mind?" "I am resigned to any and all events." "Wart" Her face was serious. "And evhat had the king to suggest?" "He proposes to accept the humilia- tion of being rejected by yon." "Why, this is a gallant king! Poufl There goes a crown of thistledown." Then she laughed. There was nothing but youth in the laughter—youth and gladness. ""Listen to me. I declare tui ?int that I am happier 'at'th1s`ma meat than I have been in days. To marry a man I have never seen, whose andhabits abits gra u looks, Cha rade known—why, I have Lived in a kind of horror. I am freer And she uttered the words as with the breath of spring. The chasa eellor's shoulders drooped a trifle more, and his hand Closed down over the letter. The little Christmas Stamp, issued on behalf of the Muskoka Free Hospital for •Consumptives, to help care for needy patients, serves, of course, a very practical purpose in providing a means of securing funds for this institu- tion. But the edu- cational value of millions of these stamps being put in circulation must not be overlooked. For this reason we urge our readers to put a ono cent stamp on every letter and package that they will bo mailing between now and the new year. Scatter abroad the good news that thorn is hope for the poor consumptive. With the stamps costing only ono cent each, the doer is open to I' n every o ne to have ve s om e part this great cam at nof Stamping out mor decalsthemortality consumption. In a in the Province of Ontario from tuberculosis has declined nearly forty per Dent, Every lever of a Christmas Stamp can help to further improve these conditions. A poste card to the Secretary of the National Sanitarium Assoeiation, 347 King Street West, Toronto, will give all particulars. Write him today. CONSTITUTION WREOKED. Doctor hailed to Help But Nlorriscy's No. 14 Blood Remedy Restored Health. IN1A,N'ts rr ii4tr'i� J. L'romote dDWstion,Cheerful- nessa �. Rest.Contatns neither Opiultt;Morphine, 'nor i"1'inCM 1. NOT NJaitc OTIC. lle4enfOld.firaM171'y'P/IM= ,1. Sa.f' A t:Semw 4. Baatelle Solo -• Ain Scarf r Orem• Seed - 1Claried c'fmkai 4an Aperfect Remedy for Constipa- tion, Sour Stolnach,Diarrhoea, Worms ,Convulsions,Yever1sh- tress and LOSS OF SLEEP. Facsimile Signature of NEW YORK ntl5.75; qld CtiTTS` EXACT COPY OF'WuAPPER. CASIO For infants and Children. The Kind You Have Always Bought ht y B Bears the Signature of In Use For Over ThirtY Years TOR1A THE OCNTAOII COMPANY. N W YORK G,TY. tow me," she said. She led Gretchen to a marble bench and sat down. "What is your name?" "Gretchen, highness." "Well, Gretchen. Sit down." aghIu your presence, highness?"" ast- "Dona bother about my presence on a morning like this. Sit down." This was a command. and Gretchen obeyed wit": alacrity. The two sat mutely. They were strangely alike. Their eyes nearly matched, their hair, even the shape of their faces. They were similarly molded. too. only one was slender and graceful after the manner of fashion. while the other was Mender and graceful directly from the hands of nature. The marked dif- ference lay, of course, 1n their Utmds. The princess had never toiled wit h her lingers exeept un the piano. Gretch- en had plucked geese and dug v"'ge. thieve with hers. They were rough, bat toil lied not robbed them of their natural grace. "Mow wn' ,he r her highness asl:e';i "A bete the same, highness." "Have you wondered why she':iiuul"t write to mer "tlichnese. it, was i ntut:e that 1 should," was Gretchen's frank admis- sion. "She took me in when nobody knew who I was, clothed and fed me and t.'tught me music so that some day I should not be helpless when the battle of life began. Ah," impulsively, "bad I my way she would be housed in the palace, not in the lonely Krumerweg. But my father does not know that she is in Dreiberg, and we dare not tell him. for he stili believes that she had something to do with my abduction." Then she stopped. She was strangely making this peasant her confidant. What a whim! - Gretchen did not move. She saw that her highness was dreaming, and she herself had dreams. "Do you like music?" "Highness, I am always singing." "La, la, la!" sang the princess ca- priciously. "La, la, 1n.!" sang Gretchen, smiling. Her voice was not purer or sweeter; it was merely stronger, having been accustomed to the open air. "Brava!" cried the princess. taught you to sing?" "Nobody, highness." "What do you do?" - "I am a goose girl. In the fall Winter I work at odd times in Black Eagle." "Tell me all about yourself." This was easy for Gretchen; there was so little. "Neither mother nor father. Our lives are something alike. A handsome girl Gretchenubl shed.inuat ty "Yes,, highness. 'IN YOUR PRESENCE. mammas?" was revealed to her for the first time— strange flowers she had never seen be- fore. It was all a fairyland. There were marble urns with banging vines and marble statues. A hand grasped her rudely by the arm. "What are you doing here?" thun- dered the head gardener. 'Be oif with your "How dare you touch me like that?" she cried angrily. Something in her glance cooled even the warm blooded Hermann. "But you live in Dreiberg and ought to know." "You could have told me without bruising my arm," defiantly. "Flermann 1" Gretchen and the head gardener whirled. Through a hedge which di- vided the formal gardens from the tennis and archery grounds came a young woman in riding habit. "What is the trouble, Hermann?" she inquired. "Your highness. this young woman here had tbe impudence to walk into the gardens." "Has she stolen any flowers?" "Why, no, your highness, but it is not customary." "We, you and I, Hermann," said her highness, with a smile that won Gretchen on the spot, "will overlook this first offense. Perhaps this young lady had some -'e1 and land lost her way." "Yes, your highness," replied Gretch- en eagerly. �� "All! You may go, Hermann. his Hermann bowed, gathered up pruning knives,,and scissors, which be 'hod let fall, and stalked down the path. "Whom were you seeking?" her high rather startled b y the • d asked, nese deniable beauty of this peasant. "I was seeking your serene highneee. 1 live at 140. 40 the Crrnmerweg. "Krumemeg?" Iter highness reach- ed for' the note and read it, and es she read tears gathered In her eyes, "Fol. ONT., June 2, 1911. 'Por the past two years 1 had been snffcring from nervousness and a run- down condition, caused from worry and overwork, T tried several remedies to build tip my nervous system, and also had my physician prescribe for me, but I seemed to get no better until I tried your No. 14 'Blood Remedy. I used one box, arid began to brace up, and by the time I had finished the fifth box, Was feeling fine, They seemed to quiet my nerves and revive mo generally and my complexion is lots better, My appe- tite is flne—I feel keen and fresh, and ata better able to do my work than I have been for r there aro a lot of people troubled se tas I was, and if this letter will help any of them to find the right remedy, yoti May publish it for their benefit. T tan- not refrain from giving this expression about your No. 14 Blood Tonic, as I I consider it without an equal•" Witt, Stowers. ' Tho above O . f tibri hot t a ore p ip reser All' or so-called patent snedtolltery 1i> Morrisey prescribed it for 44 yea, and -, it eurcd thousands after other doctors i failed. Price, 90e. per box at your dealers, or rather etorrlsey Medicine 00, Limited, Montreal, sot Ancient Tales of the Law. Of law and the "law's delays" these ancient tales are recorded: A woman vainly pleading her case mane times before Philip of Mace, donia received at every refusal the ree ply that he "had not the time." At last her patience gave out and she said to him, "Then cease to reign." The monarch, feeling that he had deserved this rebuke, immediately listened td her and rendered the justice that her case merited. Anacharsis, the Scythian philosopher speaking of the laws of Solon, said,; "They were like the web of a spider- very good for holding the weak, but allowing the strong to escape." A petty thief was being led to prison. Diogenes said to him: "Fool, why didn't you rob on a grand scale? Then it would have been you that would be sending others to prison." "Who and the ('!~o be continued.) TRAPPERS RAPPERS send us your S and we will pay you the Highest Prices REVILLON FRIRES LIMITED 134-136 McGili. STREET MONTREAL, ieEAli Q P.Q. Wo will send free to every trap- per who sends us furs, our book ?•The Trapper's Loyal Crim.. panion". The Painter end the Cobbler. The painter Apelies. who flourished In the time of Alexander, was shown a picture by an inferior artist who boasted of having sketched it out 1n an oxceedingly short space of time. "Yes, I can see that very well," said Apelles; "but 1 am surprised that you did not make several other pictures exactly like this in the same, space of time." We are indebted, according to tradll tion, to this same Apelies for one of our common phrases. The painter had; listened with patience and profit 10 a cobbler's criticism of the sandals in a picture. But when the cobbler began to enlarge the field of his criticism to' other parts of the painting be received this rebuke from Apelies: "Shoemaker, stick to your last." CAUGHT HEAVY COLD. Left Throat and Lungs Very Sore. There is no better cure for a cough or cold than Dr. Wood's Norway Pine Syrup. It is rich in the lung -healing virtues of the Norway pine tree, and is a pleasant, safe and effectual medicine that may be confidentially relied -upon as a specific for Coughs, Colds, Bronchitis, Hoarse- ness, Sore Throat, Quinsy, and all Throat and Lung Troubles. Mr- S. Monaghan, Charlottetown, P.E.I., writes: — "I certify that ;Dr. Wood's Norway Pine Syrup is an excel- lent medicine for coughs and colds, Last winter I contracted a heavy cold which left my lungs and throat very sore. I had to give up work and stay in the house for two weeks. I used several cough mixtures, but got no relief until a friend advised me to use Dr. Wood's Norway Pine Syrup. Three bottles entirely cured me, and I can recommend it as the best medicine for coughs." Don't beunposed upon by taking any- thing but "Dr. Woods as there are many imitations of this sterling remedy n market. t 0 the t a "Dr. Wood's" is put up ill it yellow wrapper; three pair trees the trade mark; price 25 cents. Manufactured only by The T..Milburn Co., Limited, Torontoe Ont.