The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1901-01-16

ut Ell us argue the case out"
r She spoke with uncxpect.
ed ernestness. He laughed
lazily and pulled one or
two long rtrokes on his oars before re-
plying.
every WELL"
You mean to say" continued she,
"that this princess should marry q man
she cares nothing for-whom she has
never seen-because It is for the well
fare Of her people and his"
Exactly" replied he in n jesting
tone.
She sighed family.
"You men think nothing of won.
ans happiness-a woman's life"
He stopped rowing and let the boat
drift gently down the stream.
"Let us argue the case out" said he,
repeating her words OF few minutes
ago. 'As l understand this matter
from the papers, n certain king, who
shall be nameless, desires for his royal
escort q certain grand duchess-who
shall also be nameless. 1t 10 for the
that these two should wed. This the
king understands, as also do the advis-
ers of the grand duchess. But she,
womanlike, refuses to entertain the
idea, declaring she will marry only the
man she lovcs-and who loves her. At
least so the court gossips say. Am l
stating the case correctly"
"Yes?"
'Love is q beautiful dream, but like
most dreams has often rude awak.
ening. Perhaps this grand duchess will
fall in love with n man she cannot
marry. What then"
She leaned over the side of the boat
without replying, and plucked a great
yellow lily which lay rocking idly
to and fro in the centre of the stream.
Besides, duty comes before pleas
ure."
There was no mirth in his face now.
It was grave and little sad.
"True. But this is for life" she
said slowly. =
"Granted. 4nd there are many
things in life not pleasant to contem-
plate but which nevertheless have to
be borne. Now If were the king,
think you should look forward with
pleasure to the thought Iof a bride
who hated me-even before she had
seen me?"
HE has only himself to thank. Why
did he not choose some other Pros
erpine? This grand duchess is not
the only princess in the world"
He.opened' his eyes in astonishment
at the bitterness In her voice.
"One would think you were the
grand Duchess" he said.
"If / were," replied she with spirit.
II would show the wo-ld that pm.
cess can stin be woman"
81 believe you would" replied he,
thoughtfully; then, picking up his
oars, he rowed with unnecessary vigor
up the river.
The sun had sunk behind a bank of
dark night clouds rising In the west. A
gentle. moaning wind stole from the
land and waved tenderly the sleeping
grasses and drowsy flowers that lined
the banks. Far in the distance could
be heard the harsh voices of frogs
chanting their evening hymn, while
from the thickets close at hand came
the soft twltterlrg of birds settling
themselves for long nights rest.
She turned her head away from him.
and as she did so he saw her eyes were
full of tears. Sweetly from the woods
on the eastern bank rang out the clear,
divine note of n nightingale. Silence
long and deep fell between them.
1T has been a happy summer" he
said. The { lence was growing op,
pressiye.
"Yes." She smiled nbsently, as
though her thoughts were far away
from the past and its pleasures.
"But, like all pleasant things. 1t ends
too soon"
"gor you perhaps. But have still
more mornings to wander In the woods
moro sunsets 70 watch-more even
ings to sit and cream Of"
"0f what?'
She did not reply. lie cast q swift
questioning glance at her
I'VE may meet next year% he sal.
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