Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1901-03-22

tHtt Ii Hct.
anything-not even the count here"
Then he laughed If her serene high
ness was anything to me, your high
ness, | should not be afraid to say SO
before the king himself"
You impudent'- But wave of
the princes hand silenced the count.
Have patience, my friend. This is
not impudence; 1t is courage and pru-
dence. | believe" readdressing Hill
lars, that once you We're on the point
of clipping with the Princess Hide
garde."
Hillars thrust his hands into his
pockets. $50 they say"
And yet you deny your regard for
her.
oh as to that affair."" said IIillars
easily, lit was the adventure more than
anything else 1t is not every man in
my position who has such a chance.
And then. perhaps, | saw good news
paper story" The muscles in his jaws
hardened. despite the airy tone he
used.
II see that there is nothing to be
got from you" Then the prince di-
rected his glance to me. And you,
sir; what is she to you? What is her
serene highness to your"
"She is everything in the world to
me-" said |.
The CONSERVATION which followed
cannot be described here. The count
stepped back dumfounded. Iillars re-
garded me as though he thought | had
suddenly gone mad. The countenance
| of the prince alone remained unruffled.
Count" he said, laughing. lit seems
that the princess gathers lovers as a
wooden coat does teasels. Her lovers
there must now be a legion
you lie" said Hillars. in an oddly
suppressed tone. You know that you
| lie.'
The princes lips drew to a thin line,
! but that was all "Still, who will dis.
prove it?" he asked.
IF you will allow me-" said voice
behind us
We beheld the princess framed in
the doorway. There was pallor and
look of utter WEAKNESS in her face.
At the sight of her the count uncov-
cred and the prince rose.
Your arrival is quite timely" said
he. Here are two champions of yours.
Come. which do you loveY
A fury sprang to my head, and !
said: You have too much confidence
in our patience. l warn you that |
have no fear of the sabers back of
YOU
The same sabers leaped from their
scabbards and fell stifiiy against their
owners shoulders instinctively.
HAS it come to this" said the plin-
cess, superb scorn in her eyes, that
my honor must needs be defended by
strangers and aliensY' For the brief
est space her glance plunged into my
eyes. She moved toward the prince.
And you. sir are to be my husband?''
ut is the will of the king" said the
prince, Il hooking smile on his lips.
How | lusted jor his blood!
And, though my honor is doubtful.
went OH the woman | loved, you still
would marry me?"
Your hghness," said the prince,
with bow which entailed the sweep
ing of his hands, Il would marry you
were yGur honor as"
What" reared Hillars in English.
But HI was moment too late. My
hands were around the throat of Prince
Ernst IF Wortumborg, and ! was
shaking him till his teeth chartered
on each other like castanets. Surely
I would have throttled him but for the
Intervention of the count and the cav
alrymen. The count swung his arm
around my neck, while the cavalry
men, their saber points at lIillars
breast, wrenched loose my hands
stood glaring at him. painting and fu
rious. He leaned against the table