Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1898-12-15

SotSASU " AeAuuiA III u pCCCurlOuS STU
alton. and I decided that it would be
better to hand in my resignation at
once, rather than wait for an ignomin-
ious dismissal.
therefore sent note to tho Prince,
begging for an interview.
The Prince listened to me coldly, and
gnawed the end Of his long moustache
as If in perplexity. Finally, he shrug-
occupied with something else before
had done speaking.
What Is your reason for leaving
me-" he demanded, as had my hand
on the door handle, in the act Of quit
ting the room.
replied that did not feel sufficient
restoration and rebuilding in his all
S.nce.
'Poof! l settled the plans with YOU
months ago. 1t only remains that you
faithfully carry out my orders. Don't
you see that if you leave me just now
the work must be stopped, and cannot
be resumed for Il year or more? But
don't think that l want to ask YOU to
serve me twice."
should really be safe in going on with
the work.
Safe? Why not? l see you are I'M
decided, and am in a hurry. Think
it over, and tell me in the evening
whether you persist in your resignation
OF prefer to withdraw it."
Accepting these words as dismissal,
l went to my own rooms to think the
matter over.
1t was true that had expected dis
missal, and thought it we'll to fore
stall it. And it was also true that l
castle of the old feudal type to Il mod
ern residence unless under the eyes of
its owner. 1t was not a job that was
likely to bring either credit to me or
satisfaction to the Prince. SO long as
he was on the spot, directing opera
items himself, he could not blame me
if the result We're failure; but l knew
that from the moment he left the re-
plans or no plans.
But there was a third reason l had
for wishing to quit the Castle of Low
na.
For some months had been suffer-
ing tortures on account Of the Princess
Irene. In making this confession I
have no desire to smooth over or ex-
tenuate my miserable weakness or fol-
ly. All can say is, it is easier to talk
Of strength Of character, good sense,
honor and other fine things, in cold
blood. than to practice these virtues in
the presence Of woman like Irene
Kropenski.
We were not lovers, nor anything like
lovers. The few sentences we ex.
changed about Won Mitschka We're a
fair specimen Of the kind of talk we
often INDUCED in, and anything less
lover-like could scarcely be imagined.
And yet, no matter how scornful she
was, no matter how bitterly l resented
her contemptuous tone, trying to meet
her well bred contempt with cool indif-
ference; no matter how hot my anger,
an hour would scarce go by but was
hungering for the sight Of her, thirst
ing to hear the sound of her voice, no
matter what she might find it in her
heart to say to me.
A thousand times fought against
this weakness with the whole strength
of my manhood. Sometimes l won.
There were times when would go for
days without addressing the Princess,
unless it were to answer question, OF
so much as looking in her direction
when we accidentally met. I suffered
at these times more than anyone would
believe; but it was something to think
that I was behaving like man of
sense and spirit.
But alas! at the first words of gen,l-
inc kindness, all my defenses were
broken down, and was ready to per-
suade myself that the scornful looks
and tones that had wounded me so
keenly had existed only in my own i'm
agination. The rapture Of giving way
of allowing my thoughts to stray
about this beautiful, hayward, incom-
prehensible creature as they would; of
building cloud castles, in which the
abyss between Irene Kropenski and me
was bridged over in some miraculous
manner, was delight SO keen, that
would not have exchanged my dreams
for any other reality on earth.
or course l am aware that all this
sounds very absurd. A struggling pro-
fessional man has no business to allow
himself to fall in love with a Princess.
But was not without excuse At my
first arrival at the castle, early in the
preceding spring, both the Princess
Kropenski and her daughter had treat
ed me as if were their equal in rank,
whenever I was invited to dine with
the family, as I often was; and al
though 1 had no right to build, and did
not build anything upon their kindness,
to my peace.
But lately it seemed as if Irene had,
it had an effect on me which was fatal
in spite of the care had taken to con-
ceal the nature Of my feelings, OWNED
my secret, and wished to rebuke my
presumption, for she treated me with
marked GOODNESS, and mOrs-with a GER
tain scornfulness of manner, as if the
mere suspicion that cherished a hope
less passion for her was deadly af
front.
l was not without my share Of pride,
and l resented her treatment. l asked
for no explanation, made no reproach
es, even tacitly, unless avoiding her
could be called q reprOach. l accepted
the fact that she was far above me in
rank but 7 saw no reason WHY / should