Evening star., 1896-09-12

riase appeared near by out Of the dark-
ness. We advanced toward 1t, and a.
ed the door for US. 1t was raining quite
steadily now. and the night was 30 black
that could not distinguish the coachman's
features, & was also positive that he
could not tell me from the baron. ! hand
ed the princess in and was about to do the
SEINE by the girl.
"Melanier' spoke the princess from the
depths of the coach. II have forgotten
an umbrella. Run in and get one"
Melanie turned and darted up the steps
And you. Herr Baron. why do you not
come in out of the rain7 If you are drip
ping wet. what is to become Of US. who
did not make any difficulty about the
matter. but got In at once. 1t was as 1
had feared: the carriage had but one seat.
I was still standing and revolving the
matter in my mind, when. suddenly. the
question was settled for me by the driver,
who as soon as he saw me step inside,
slammed the door to. leaped upon the box.
whipped the horses and drove away at q
furious pace. The sudden start upset me
and seated me forcibly beside the princess.
PART Nv.
Now. the seat was rather narrow for
two persons. so that was brought much
closer to her than would have presumed
to get under other circumstances. The
touch of her shoulder against mine and the
across my face. as the jolting OF the car
riage brought us together had a delight
full charm for me. and felt that 1 would
like to have II go on forever. 1t could
not be. however. and I reached up to pull
down the sash that might stop the coach
man. The sash would not come down. I
tried the one on her side. 1t was alike i'm
movable. Your highness:" said /. the
windows will not open. Shall 1 break the
glass and make that Idiot Of coachman
stop""
"It Is immaterial to me-" she answered.
whether you break II or not; excepting
that, IL you do break 1t, I will get wet.
which I should not like. You do not wish
Melanie to go with US. and perhaps 1t is
just as we'll"
But. your highness." I protested. you
must not think that II il by my orders that
that dolt Of a driver has gone OF without
her. He shall return for her. IL you wish
1t. shall discharge him this minute. II 1t
pleases you"
II can take care Of myself very we'll
alone. and so you will find. Herr Baron.
Let ii go as 1t is.''
There was nothing more to te said. and
l was secretly pleased at the outcome OF
There was also the romance OF the
thing to be considered. Running away with
the princess was something daring and
be a good deal OF the wholesale element.
and 1t would resemble too much the rape
Of the Sabines.
Now, all this time was sitting squeezed
up As far as possible In my own corner of
the vehicle, that 1 might give my fair
companion as much room as possible / am
naturally very respectful toward women.
l might even call myself chivalrous; in
fact. i have very nice notions on the SUBJ
ject. The Idea. therefore. never occurred
to me to take advantage of the opportunity
and become In any way familiar or OBJ
trusive. There was something also in this
lady's rank. her manner, and the serious
purity Of her loveliness which would have
forbidden the advances Of the rankest
churl.
Feeling this way. therefore, toward the
princess, / was the more surprised CHAT