The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1901-01-24

LIS there man OF woman VINO can say.
tl,at@J ever broke one p
our highness, what are your COM
mands q It was the innkeeper who
spoke. His fingers were tWitching
about the hammer Of his scarbine. He
nodded approyingly toward me. My
assault upon the prince had brought
me again into his good graces
Gretchen did not answer him, but
she smiled kindly. .s=zS +.
"Ah, yes," said the prince ''This
is that Breunner fellow
The innkeeper made a movement.
The prince saw it. and so did l. Prince
Ernst of Wortumborg was never so
near death in all his. life as at that
moment. He knew it too.
"Your highness has q very good
memory" said thesinnkeeper dryly. - Is
There are some things it-were best
to forget" replied the prince. = s.
II Am pleased that your highness
shares my opinion returned the old
fellow. The mqzzle of the carbine
was once more pointed at the ceiling.
The rest of us looked on, but we I'M
derstood nothing Of these passes. Ever
Gretchen was in the dark. : -
eve met long ago." said the inn
keeper -s-.
Eyes, but l have really forgotten
what the subject of our discussion
was,' said the prince, regarding the
innkeeper through half closed lids.
"Perhaps he can explain :
,''It is very kind Of your highness, =
| said the innkeeper. laughing mali
ciously. But I'm old. and my mem
DRY serves me, ILL.,
The prince shrugged. But we have
| drifted away from the present matter.
Your highness, then, promises to bend
to the will Of the king?" ---s
EYES," said Gretchen 81 gave the
king my promise because had
Wearied of resistance, having no one
to turn tO-then.~ shall marry you.
though detest you But l shall be
your wife only in name and not in the
eyes Of God.'' -
'The latter sacrifice was not asked
Of You,' smiled the prince.
II shall depart this day for the CAPT
tal," continued Gretchen. Il warn you
not to inflict your presence upon me
during the journey. Now go. The air
while you remain is somewhat difficult
to breathe.''
The prince surveyed the menacing
faces which surrounded him, then
gathered up his hat and gloves.
~ see that your highness will be a
dutiful wife," he said, smoothing the
silk of his hat with his elbow. He
blew into his gloves and carefully drew
them over his hands "a pleasant jour
ney to your highness," he added.
"Come, count. And these?" waving
his hand toward Hillars and me.
'They have my fullest protection
He smiled villainously. then walked
to the door with measured tread. At
the door he turned. There was a flash
Of rage in his eyes, but he quickly sub
dued it.
"Auf wiedersehenr' with a sweeping
glance which took in all of us and par
| ticularly me.
He passed out, the count following
him soberly. The two cavalrymen
thrust theie sabers into the scabbards
with a clank and made as though to
follow
"Wait," said Gretchen. Il shall have
need of you. You will escort me to the
station. Now you may co.
They saluted gravely. They appre-
ciated the situation. The princess was
their bread and butter
"Your highness," said Hillars. there
| has been a mistake"
"a mistaken repeated Gretchen won
deringly.
"Yes; they have made you princess
whereas they should have made you a
| queen. Will you forgive me the trou-
BILE have causedY
ut is / who must ask forgiveness of
you," she said, with sad smile. you
may kiss my hand, SIR
Eillars remained somewhat long
over it. H..
"And how comes it that you gentle
men know each other?' she asked
damon and Pythias, your highness,'
answered Hillars eve were brought
up together, and we have shared our
tents and kettles. l recommend Pyth-
| las to you as a brave gentleman -
Then he came to me. you are brave
fellow, jack" grasping my hand
"Good luck to you. l had an idea. 1t
has returned. Now, then. innkeeper.
come with me-"
with you, and where?" asked the
innkeeper. If there was one thing for
which he could not account, it was the
| presence Of Hillars at the inn.
"Never mind where, but come" an.
sWered ~Hillars gayly. He bent and
whispered something into the old fel,
| lows ear. It was something which
pleased him, for he screwed his lips
into a smile and took the white hand
Of the whisperer in his brawny fist and
| nigh crushed it. -
'Well, we'll! 1t doesn't matter where
you came from Here, you" to the
trio behind him, Ego back to the sta
bles." They fled out. Then the inn
keener took Hi11ars Nv tho arm "ron,o