



Produced by Charles Bowen, from page scans provided by Google Books






Transcriber's Note:
   1. Page scan source:
      http://books.google.com/books?id=fhInAAAAMAAJ&dq






                           "CLEAR THE TRACK!"

                              (FREIE BAHN)



                          _A STORY OF TO-DAY_



                                   BY
                               E. WERNER
      _Author of "The Alpine Fay," "Banned and Blessed," "Danira,"
                "Vineta," "At a High Price," etc. etc_.



                    TRANSLATED BY MARY STUART SMITH



                         THE TRADE SUPPLIED BY
                     THE INTERNATIONAL NEWS COMPANY
                   LONDON                       LEIPSIC





                            Copyright, 1893.
                                   BY
                        ERNST KEIL'S NACHFOLGER
                               *   *   *
                        [_All rights reserved_]





                                CONTENTS.


   CHAP.

      1. The Feast of Flowers at Nice

      2. In Council

      3. "See the Path is Clear to a Grand Career"

      4. Odensburg Manor

      5. A Victory <DW77>

      6. In Which More Than One Charmer Charms

      7. Cecilia Visits Radefeld

      8. A Bough of Apple-Blossoms

      9. The Cross on the Whitestone

     10. Maia's Choice

     11. A Secret Foe and Open Enemy

     12. The Goal in Sight

     13. Runeck leaves Odensburg

     14. How an Old Bachelor makes Love

     15. A Wedding Day

     16. Scenes at the "Golden Lamb"

     17. Election Times

     18. Fortune Smiles on Victor Eckardstein

     19. "Off With the Old Love, On With the New"

     20. Maia Must be Saved

     21. From Heights of Bliss to Depths of Woe

     22. His Sin had found Him out

     23. A Lover's Tryst

     24. A Deed that Wipes Out Old Scores

     25. 'Twixt Life and Death

     26. How Forces that Are Opposed May Blend






                            CLEAR THE TRACK!




                               CHAPTER I.

                     THE FEAST OF FLOWERS AT NICE.


A spring day at the South! Sky and sea are radiant in their deep blue,
flooded with light and splendor, the waves breaking gently upon the
shores of the Riviera, to which spring had already come in all its
glory, while, at the North, snow-storms are still raging.

Here rests golden sunshine upon the white houses and villas of the
town, that embraces the shore within the radius of a vast semicircle,
adorned by lofty palms, and embowered in the green of the laurel and
myrtle. Among thousands of shrubs, the camellia is conspicuous from its
wealth of bloom, in every stage of perfection, its colors ranging from
pure white to richest crimson; and could anything excel the richness of
its glistening foliage? From the adjacent hills hoary monasteries look
down, and modern churches surrounded by tall cypress trees; friendly
orchards stand out from pine and olive groves, and in the distance the
blue Alps, with their snow-crowned summits, are half hidden in sunny
mist.

Nice was celebrating one of its spring-and-flower festivals, and the
whole city and its environs had turned out in gala-attire, whether
stranger or native-born. Gayly-decked equipages passed by in endless
procession, every window and balcony being filled with spectators, and
on the sidewalks, under the palms, thronged a merry multitude, the
brown and picturesque forms of fishermen and peasants being everywhere
conspicuous.

The battle of flowers on the Corso was in full swing, the sweet
missiles being constantly shot through the air, here hitting their
mark, there missing it: blossoms, that are treasured at the North as
rare and expensive, were here scattered heedlessly and lavishly. Added
to this, there were everywhere waving handkerchiefs, shouts of joy,
bands of music playing, and the intoxicating perfume of violets,--the
whole of this enchantingly beautiful picture being enhanced by the
golden sunshine of spring with which heaven and earth was filled.

Upon the terrace of one of the fashionable hotels stood a small group
of gentlemen, evidently foreigners, who had chanced to meet here, for
they conversed in the German language. The lively interest with which
the two younger men gazed upon the entrancing scene betrayed the fact
that it was new to them