Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 41, Number 42, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 February 1909 — A ’PHONE GIRL’S COUP. [ARTICLE]

A ’PHONE GIRL’S COUP.

“Carl, this is dreadful;” "Calm yourself, Gretcheh. Try to throw it off your mind. If you can’t you will lanfiln a lunatic asylum. 1 ’ "But td think of Heinrich being put to death and he innocent of the crime! Now can I throw that off my mind? We must.find a wjay to get his new evidence before the court” “That is impossible, sweetheart. We have had the last rehearsing of Jhe case, and It is closed. Do try to make up your mind to bear It. You will upt only lose your reason, but make me lose mine. No judge or court .can „no.w help ttLttt-MY.fr.,»ur, brother.” “Could not the emperor?:’ “The emperor cannot. Interfere Inlaw cases. Besides, it would be Impossible to get an audience with him," ■« “Not on a matter of life and death?” “Unquestionably. Suppose every convicted prisoner or his friends could interview the emperor about his case. He would have not time for his legitimate duties. Besides, the courts have exclusive coutrol of such matters.” Probably the latter The lover went away. Then Marie Froibel, a friend of GretchefTS, came in. Marie was employed in the central office of the Berlin Telephone. She not only knew of Gretchen’s trouble, but “suffered from it herself. Carl, the condemned, and Marie had been school children together, and, air though they bad not spoken of lovf and no one suspected them of being lovers, still Marie hid a secret in her heart. She alone knew that she loved Carl. But she must not display her feelings as her sister did. ‘‘Marie,” said GretChen, "I must iee the emperor. Carl 1 says his majesty cannot help us If he would. 1 don’t believe it. He has the power to do almost anything. I am sure he has a kind heart.” Marie pondered. “It seems to me,’’ she said presently, “that a woman’s heart is more susceptible to pity and would be easier influenced, especially when what is asked conflicts with duty.” “But the emperor is not a woman.” “The empress is.’’ “But has she the power”— “Yes r to influence the emperor.” .“Well, but we cannot get an interview with her any more than with the emperor.” , . ——— “I think possibly I may manage that.” ‘‘You, a poor girl working for your living, get me an interview with the greatest lady in the fatherland!” “Sometimes I hdve great power to secure the attention of great people.” “What do you mean? Tell me quick!” “I have given you hope. Live on that for the present. If I perfect a plan I will call you upon the telephone and give it to you. Stay at home, never going 'even for a minute where I can’t reach you.” Marie kissed her friend and went away. She had caught an idea. The question remained. Would she get an opportunity to work it out? There might be a penalty attached to what she proposed to do, but what waa that Txnnpared wtth a ehahee to savefEe life of the mpm* she loved. . i In a few days, when Gretchen was endeavoring to get her mind off the tragedy by; doing some housework, there was a ring at the telephone. Taking up the receiver, she heard a woman’s voice ask: “Is that you baroness?” “You are”—began Gretchen. ‘‘The empress. 1 * ——— — ~r Gretchen trembled. “■No, your majesty, I am not the baroness. I am only a poor girl wbpse brother has been sentenced tc death for a crime he did not commit God has given me this opportunity to ask you to help to save him. I beg that your majesty will Implore the emperor to use bis Influence to give me an opportunity to get the new proof that he is Innocent. Thiuk, your majesty, how you would feel it one dear to you were about to be killed.” “This is singular,” said the voice of the empress as if to herself. Then: ’Give me- your brother’s name, -my poor girl, and I will see if I can do anything for you, though you must know that the courts are an entirely different part of the government from that which the emperor administers. But I am sorry for you and will help you if I can.’* Gretchen gave her brother’s name, then thanked the empress, hung up the receiver and danced all around the room. But soon she began to be despondent again, though now that she had the empress' promise to try to help her she did not despair. The next day the Judge before whom the case had been tried received a summons to the palace. There an interview occurred between him and the emperor, which resulted in a reopening of the case in question, and in the end the condemned man was acquitted. j; Marie Froibel had succeeded in getting herself assigned to a field which comprised the empress' private line; then the first timer the emnress was called Marie connected her with Gretchen. Marie waited, expecting to receive her dismissal but when a month had passed and nothing of tt she concluded thaf since her offense concerned a matter of life and death her majesty had pardoned It When the prisoner was released there was great rejoicing by two families, which was celebrated by a double wedding.—Helen Ihglehart