The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-03-29

The great winter palace by the Zatun
See was filled with guests few
months before Augustus. the young
elector of Inscisland, nad been be.
trothed to the Princess Irene, the only
daughter Of the Margrav2 of Hessel-
stadt and the Margarine. an astute
politician, who had brought about the
, match, had arranged thar he should en-
D tcrtain a large party Of relatives for
SChristmas at che ma2 liicant Hatunhof,
(which had been unten1ntcd silc" the
leafly days of his majority.
\ week had passed, and the Margra-
vine began 70 doubt .he wisdom rf her
lian in throwing the young people so
much together before their marriage;
fer the eleCtUr, an earnest and con-
sCientious sovereign, 1ud 81 man who
hid an extreme sensitircn"ss aud deep
affection beneath a rasrr"Hl dcmcarOr,
proved himself but a lux warm lover,
while the princess seemed utterly IN
different to his presence.
Cne afternoon the Princess Irene
stood upOn the terrace OF the italian
garden overlooking the lake. upon the
frozen surface of which tn winter sun
was casting long ravs of crimson right.
she looked eagerly at the groups OF
skaters and then at ;ha ouen tent
where her mother and ladies were sit
ting round flaming nra&ier. An ex-
preston of intense disappointment.
crossed her pretty face. AMI she smiled
contemptuousIy and wncn her skates
had been fastened by an attendant, said
indifferently to her lady in waiting, the
Countess Won Noscl: Fave you seen
the elector " but her fingers vera uerv-
nd tnp1ncintr q lit-
tie note hidden in her muff.
NO. madam" the countess replied,
looking inquiringly at her mistress. Il
heard that Il dispatch hai come from
the capital. and probably" but the
princess had glided over to her mother,
To whom she repeated her question.
The. MarCravine looked anXiOusly at
her daughter but arSwu'cl her lightly:
You must not be too cXaCting, lren2.
The prime minister arrived after lunch
con. 9nd Augustus is probably deep in
politics.
His sincere 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, l believe"
The princess smiled brightly. More
taxes" she cried, lin this weather?
There will BE- revolution. What a
pity" she added. to her mother, turn
ing 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 describing
Yesterday
Baron Hederich Won Egidy bowed,
and, slipping on his skates, joined the
princess. They passed among the other
skaters and after several turns, grad
ually made their way to y remote part
of the lake, until at length they stopped
beneath the shadow cast by Overhang-
ing trees that grew down to the water s
edge. They had scarcely spoken, and
now there was a silence, which Baron
Hederich broke, his hitherto courticr-
like manner giving way to the tone and
bearing of a lover.
Die my note reach you, madam" he
asked softly in French, taking heI
hGnd.
Yes. tho Countess Won NOgel was q
trusty messenger" the princess replied
frownine, but she did not withdraw hei
hand
"Then-then may | still have hOpe?'
"Hope!-where would your hope:
lead you?" she asked coldly, taking the
note from her muff and tearing it intc
little pieces and scattering ther on tht
ice.
Beyond the limits of audacity," hi
answered, smiling into her eyes; "fol
can scarcely believe that you discour
age mellow"
Again there was silence, the princes,
.I.. -, ,,,y
round a twig frozen in the ice. like
homing pigeon that hesitates to aligh
upon the cote. Suddenly above thci
heads came the sound of an Ak strucl
fiercely upon a tree, the ring Of th
metal vibrating through the still air
shall we skate on?" Baron Hedericl
asked, still in French. as the broat
shoulders of a peasant showed for
moment through the trunks of In
trees.
NO" the princess replied, decidedly
a bright color flaming in her cheeks
lit is much safer here and besides
she added, mcaningly "hC will not un
derstand."
'Irene!" cried the baron, raising he
hand to his lips, my darling
"Oh! l am already weary of m
bondage" said the princess, ignorin
his caress, but her voice to the baro
seemed louder than was its wont g
am only human chattel to he hande
over to the highest biddcr--a creatur
to be sacrificed to political eXpedient-
puppet TO be made to marry, 10 bea
children, and to die, perhaps, at tn
bidding of a statesman"
Then let me free you!" cried Baro
Hederich, passiOnately. Tho clecto
neglects you. even before he marie