Evening star., 1897-02-20
A ROYAL Et0PEMENT
THE LOVE STORY OF A w1LLruL
PRINCESS.
From the st. James BudsH.

lore Augustus, the Young eiector OF InSelS-
land, had been betrothed to the Princess
Irene, the only daughter of the Margrave
of Hesselstadt. and the Margarine, an as
tute politician. who had brought about the
match had arrangedfth that he should enter
tain large party Of relatives for Christmas
at the magnificent Eatunhof, which had
been untenanted since the early days of
his minority.
A week had passed. and the Marsrayine
began to doubt the wisdom of her plan in
throwing the young people so much togeth-
er before their marriage; for the elector,
an earnest and conscientious soyereicr
and a man who hid am extreme sensitive
hess and deep affection beneath a reserved
demeanor, proved himself but a lukewarm
lover, while the princess seemed utterly in
different to his presence.
One afternoon the Princess Irene stood
upon the terrace of the Italian garden over
looking the lake, upon the frozen surface
OF which the winter sun was casting long
rays of crimson light. She looked eagerly
among the groups of skaters and then at
the open tent where her mother and ladies'
were sitting round a flaming brazier An
expression of intense disappointment cross
ed her pretty face, then she smiled con-
temptuously, and when her skates had been
fastened by an attendant, said indifferentiy
to her lady-in-waiting. the Countess Won
Noge1 Have you seen the elector?' but
her fingers were nerVouSly closing and mr.
closing upon a little note hidden in her
muf.
mo, madam" the countess replied, look
ing irquiringly at her mistress. Il heard
that a dispatch had come from the capitaI |
and probably" but the princess had
Slided over to her mother, to whom she re-
peated her question.
The Margarine looked anxiously at her
daughter but answered her lightly, .Ycu
nnt hA tTn
minister arrived after luncheon, and Au-
gustus is probably deep in politics.
HIS serene highness is not skating this
afternoon said a handsome young man
standing behind the Margravne's chair
There is a question of new tax to be
settled, / believe"
The princess smiled brightly. "More
taxes she cried, ''in this weather? There
VIII be revolution. What pity" she
added. to her mother. turning the hidden
note in her fingers that Augustus should
lose this afternoon; the ice is in splendid
condition! Baron Hederich," turning to the
young man who had spoken, will you
teach me that new figure you were describ-
ing yeSterday9'
Baron Hederch Won Egidy bowed, and,
slipping on his skates. Joined the princess
Iney passed among the other skaters, and
after several turns gradually made their
way TO remote part of the lake, until at
length they stopped beneath the shadow
cast by overhanging trees that grew down
to the waters edge. They had scraceIy
spoken and now there was silence which
Baron Hederch broke. his hitherto cour-
tler-i1ke manner giving way to the tone
and bearing of lover.
Did my note reach you, madam" he
asked softly in French, taking her hand
Yes, the Countess Won Vogel was a
trusty messenger" stiae- princess replied
frowning, but she did not Withdraw her
hand.
.Then-then I may still have hope?"
Hope: e:-where wo,Ifd-your hopes lead
you?" she asked cD1dIy taking the note
from her muff and-tearing it into little
pieces and scatteriIs6 them on the ice.
Beyond the limits of--audacity." he an
swered. smiling -inta Sher eyes: for I can
now Fgg - =
skating In Widening circles round and
round twig frozen in the ice, like a hom-
ing pigeon that hesitates to- alight 1ipon
the cote Suddenly ahoYe their heads came
the sound of an aSsss4ruek fercely upon a
trough @ t the ff stil, me.a We yisrasn ~
Baron Hederich aafad, a;ilI in French. as
the broad shoaidery Of peasant showed
1ors moment between the trunks of the
trees.
Mo- the princess replied. decidedly, a
bright color flaming in her checks, 1t is
much safer here and besides" she added.
meaningly, he will not understand" "
Irene cried the baron, raising her hand
to his lips, my darling
"Oh.' l am already weary Of my bond
age. said the princess. ignoring his caress,
but her voice to the baron seemed louder
than was its wont. Il am only human
chattel to be handed over to the highest
bidder-a creature to be sacrificed to po-
iidcal eHpedient-a puppet to be made to
lnarry. to bear children, and to die, per-
haps. al the bidding of a statesman
Then let me free you" cried Baron
Hederich, passonately. The elector ne
elects you. even before he marries YOU. To
N-t1y lv fnY
years. your future seems a living death.
Think"
Il have thought, 1 have thought and-I
want TO love, to give love- to be loved If a
woman has made mans life happy,
whether he be prince or peasant, she has
not lived in vain, and I-but how can 1
expect love. |, whose marriage has been
made. not ordained?'
by making my life happy, Irene" whis-
pered the baron. "a love song to the end.
Ever since 1 Joined your fathers suite I
have loved no other woman save yourself
but l have never dared to speak until we
came to Zatun, and thought you seemed
to care for me-
The princess shivered "But how is 1t
possible?' she murmured.
Tonight. replied the baron "a carria &c
will be waiting outside the private entrance
to the palace. near which you know there
are no sentries. and the men at the outer
gates Will be told the prime minister is re-
turning suddenly to the city. If you can
arrange to leave at midnight, We can catch
the train for Paris at a small station out
side Elbersdcrf where / shall be waiting
for you, and then, Irene'-
understand" said the princess slowly
Il am to sacrifice everything"
IF you will have it so, ycs,' he answer
ca, with an odd narrowing of his eyeiids.
BUT you gain what you crave-love''
The princess looked up the bank. "Yesr'
she cried suddenly, as she saw the CLINT of
the peasants blue dress through the trees;
yes no sacrifice IS too great for love.
Will be at the private entrance at mid
night
And then for Paris-and happiness"
whispered the baron as they skated away.
When they were out of sight, a man in
peasant dress slipped down the bank, and
carefully collecting the fragments of the
note the Princess Irene had tern and flung
upon the ice, placed them in a little book
which he had taken from a pocket of his
blouse.
=
The Princess Irene of HeSselstadt had
Eever been in such brilliant spirits as upon
that evening, and the young elector hover
ed about her chair in corner of the great
white drawing room after dinner with an
almost loverlike fondness But she turned
away from him with an Indifference that
became SO marked that the MGFgrayine in
despair asked her tossing. Waving aside
lady-ip- waiting who rose to accompany her.
the princess sat down at the piano and ran
Ear flo shi a1y 1irl+l