Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 11, Number 162, Decatur, Adams County, 9 July 1913 — Page 7

(Continued from p»re 6) and it would not be difficult to arrange that an accident—say, a broken leg—should confine you to your room arid postpone the marriage. In a couple of months’ time 1 could give you a more definite opinion. Without wishing to raise false hopes in you. 1 will say that there is decidedly the possibility of complete cure. Where there is no strong family taint . . .’’ The young Prince had been listening to Dr. Wycherley’s kindly words with hope dawning in his eyes, but at the last sentence he interrupted fircely with: "Wait till you hear the worst! You know of my grandfather’s death?” “I know, of course, that King Sigmund IV died of acute scarlet fever, and that he lies buried in the family tomb here in Pfalzburg.” “A dummy form lies buried there. My grandfather is alive!” “But ” "Alive and a raving madman! No one knew but the doctor who attended him, now dead, and his keepers,” continued the Prince rapidly. “The secret has been well guarded. Four days ago I discovered it by the merest accident. 1 was out hunting in a distant part of the forest at one of our country estates; 1 became separated from the others and lost my bearings. At nightfall I came to a forester's hut and entered it to get refreshment and ask my way. For some f reason the people of the house were | away at the moment, and I unlocked a door in order to find food. As 1 struck a match in that dark room, the light fell on a man, with a long grey beard, chained down on to a bed. It was my grandfather! It was six years since 1 had last seen him, but it was he —that I will swear to!” He covered his face with his hands to shut out the horrible vision he had conjured up- . . "Is there no possibility that your Royal Highness was mistaken?” "My father denies it; they all deny it. But it was he—he called me by a pet name that my grandfather had used for me when I was a little child ... I quite recognise the political necessity of keeping his madness secret and pretending his death. We have not been a popular dynasty, and the Socialist Party has been growing very powerful in Varovia. If it had been known that Sigmund IV was not merely eccentric, but actually insane, there would have been a revolution. Os course, I would not be telling of this unless I had absolute confidence in your discretion.” “All that you tell me will be absolutely safe with me. But. once again, there is no possibility of a mistake?” “None whatever. ... I believe the keeping of that ghastly secret killed my mother. . . . Now you can realise my feelings, with my marriage only a few days distant. On the one hand my duty to my dynasty and my country; on the other hand the duty to the woman. I love and the children that may be ours. Tell me, Doctor, which duty is the greater?” Dr. Wycherley turned to the window and looked out over the red roofs and the fretted spires of Pfalzburg for some moments before answering. Then he said slowly: "The marriage must not take place.” The young Prince replied sadly: "Ah, you tell me what my own conscience also tells me!” ' “Your Royal Highness will be able to do your duty by your country without marrying the Grand Duchess. I nder treatment, that unfortunate tendency you speak of may probably be eliminated —certainly kept in check. I see no reason why you may not be, when the time comes, the best king that Varovia has ever had.” “And the succession?” “That consideration must be put aside for the present.” “But what am I to say to the woman I love? The truth will break her heart.” . . , “I fear I cannot advise in that. You will know her feeling far better than I.” Prince Karel rose from his chair with a steady determination in his eyes. “I thank you, Dr. Wycherley— I thank you sincerely. I know you have been summoned here to persuade me into a marriage from which my conscience revolts. As you have done your higher duty, so will I do mine. Let us come to my father and tell him.” The Decision With the King was the Chancellor, von Olmutz, a man of sixty—stout, bland, smiling, outwardly the personification of easy good nature. Someone in speaking of him to Bismarck

■ iWwMiiryMiiiiiliiß ’ V i* 8 ”2 --•** (KWI •’ * ' .#.£■. Wrf’ > |SStS*j? * ’ I’V-IMP Copyright International News Service. AN UNSINKABLE LIFEBOAT. An unsinkable lifeboat, known as the “Brode Unsinkable.” named after its Inventor. Ihe inventor and his boat recently arrived from Europe and Immediately afterward gave a successful demonstration In the Hudson itiver of its practicability. Seven men fruitlessly endeavored to overturn it. The boat has a capacity of twenty-Uve persons and can be steered from either the inside or outside. ’ nW I C®/ <Wr 91 intlHfaa •..Whiterfc- . JI 4 ' Copyright International News Service. MACHINE FOR THE DEAF AND BLIND. A machine hr,a been Invented and Is here seen In use by which those afflicted with deafness and blindness can communicate their thoughts to one another almost as readily as though they were able to hear and see. The machine Is worked with the fingers along similar Hues as the piano. * 1 aEb S jr * - A I Copyright International News Service. HINDU RELIGIOUS FANATIC. A Hindu religions fanatic sitting on a bed of pointed spikes. For hours at a time these men sit and lie on this bed of torture suffering the most excruciating pain without a murmur. It is a sacrltlce tn the Hindu Diety for the transgressions of himself and bis followers.

had used the epithet "oily.” Bismarck’s reply had come curt and to the point: Oiled steel!” For twentv years von Olmutz had stood behind the throne of Varovia and moved the hands and lips of its kings. Introduced to the doctor, he greeted him with a well-turned compliment; "When his Majesty asked me a few days ago who was the foremost mental healer in Europe, 1 replied: ’The founder of the Annalen der Psychologischen Forschungen, Dr. Xavier Wycherley.’ Permit me, Herr Doctor, to tell you how much I value the copies of your journal 1 have been able to obtain. Perhaps one jflay you will be so kind as to complete the gaps in my series?” Dr. Wycherley bowed replied: “With pleasure. But you will have more to teach me than I you. I confess to coveting the knowledge of men and women that thirty years of diplomacy have given you." The Chancellor continued blandly: “I had hoped to give myself the pleasure of meeting you on your arrival at Pfalzburg. But apparently our young friend von Lindenau made a stupid mistake in descending at the station of Pfalzburg West. I was, of course, awaiting you at the tei> minus. You will excuse my apparent discourtesy. Herr Doctor?” Dr. Wycherley bowed again. Inwardly he was reflecting that the young lieutenant was hardly the man to make stupid mistakes. No doubt he had wanted the doctor to avoid seeing the Chancellor before he had seen the Crown Prince. Prince Karel brought the conversation sharply to the point at issue: "Dr. Wycherley has meanwhile been inquiring into my case, and he agrees with the conclusion I had arrived at.” The King’s scalp twitched angrily. “What’s that, what’s that?” he cried, and turned on Dr. Wycherley: "Didn’t I tell you plainly that my son’s ideas were only morbid nonsense? Your business is to cure, isn’t it, isn’t it?" “Where cure is possible, your Majesty.” “As it is here!” “If sufficient time is allowed, there are good hopes of permanent cure. But marriage must be put aside for some years at least.” He spoke quietly but decisively. “The marriage is arranged for Thursday. It must take place on Thursday! To-morrow the Grand Duchess makes her State entry into the city, into the city!” The Chancellor interposed smoothly: “The Herr Doctor’s examination of the Crown Prince has necessarily been very brief. He will probably desirfc to look into matters in greater detail before giving his final decision. There are many important aspects that possibly have not yet been brought to his notice.” But Dr. Wycherley ignored the golden bridge that was offered for his retreat. “Your Excellency,” he said, “will know that I am not the man to make hasty decisions. My professional advice has been asked, and it is this: that all thoughts of marriage be put aside for some years at least.” Prince Karel added: “That is what my own conscience tells me also.” “And what of your duty to your father?” asked the King. His little, ferrety eyes shot murderous glances at the mental healer. “Isn’t it your duty to obey his wishes, to obey his wishes?” “There are other duties too, father.” The Chancellor moved quickly to interpose between father and son. “Permit me to explain, sir. I do not think that the Crown Prince thoroughly realizes all the aspects of this matter. I have the very deepest sympathy with h’s scruples of conscience —they do honour to him. But I believe that they blind him to the very serious position in which his proposed action would place us. I have here a report from the Chief of Police.” He drew out a folded paper from his pocket, and tapped it significantly as he fixed Prince Karel with his eye. “He tells me that the announcement of the alliance wtih the Grand Duchess has had a distinctly quieting effect upon the people, and that it has given the Royal Family more popularity—l speak plain words, because the situation demands plain words—more popularity than for many years past. The Socialist element has received a decided set-back. But were this marriage to be cancelled, it is my deep belief—based on a lifetime’s (Continued on pern •)

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