The Sauk Centre herald., 1901-03-21
81 am an old man." he said.

| THAT Is better" he said, with grim
smile. "Who told you this impossible
| tale and what has brought you hereY
1T is not impossible. The sister has
| been found"
| Found" ! had him this time
"Found" he repeated. "Oh. this is not
crediblew
1T Is true. And tomorrow at moor
the woman you profess to love will be
come the wife Of the man she abhors
Why? Because you-you. refuse tt
save herv'
| 81? How In Gods name can save
her" the perspiration beginning tc
stand out on his brow.
! "How? will tell you how. Prince
Ernst marries Gretchen for her dowry
alone. If the woman believe to be
her sister can be proved so, the prince
will withdraw his claims to Gretchen's
hand. Do you understand? He will
not marry for half the revenues OF
Hohenphalia. 1t is all or nothing
Now, will you produce those proofs
Will you help meY The minute hand
of the clock was moving around with
deadly precision.
"Are you, lying to mer he asked
breathing hard.
"You fool. can't you see that it means
everything to Gretchen If you have
those proofs? She will be free. freel
Will you get those proofs. or shall your
godchild live to curse your
This was the most powerful weapon
I had yet used.
Live to curse me" he said, not
speaking to me, but to the thought. He
sat down again and covered his face
with his hands. The minute which
passed seemed very long. He flung
away his hands from his eyes with a
movement which expressed despair and
resignation. eyes, will get them.
1t is years and years ago." he mused
absently. $50 long, ago that had
thought it gone and forgotten. But 1t
was not to be. l will get the proofs"
turning to me as he left the chair.
"Wait here" He unbolted the door
and passed forth. 1t was full con-
fession Of the deception written by the
mother herself and witnessed by her
physician. the innkeeper and his wife.
Not even the king could contest it's
genuineness.
"Where is this DR.. Salzberg?"
The innkeeper leaned against tho
side Of the fireplace. staring into tho
flames
''T1" is dead" briefly.
"V'ho was hep
'-1~. late highness' court physician.
Ola. haze no fear. herr, this new found
princess Of yours will come into her
own" with bitter smile.
And why have you kept silent all
these years?' l asked.
"WhyY' He raised his arms, then let
them fall dejectedly. Il loved the Prin-
cess Hildegarde. l was jealous that
any should share her greatness. l have
kept silent because l carried her in my
arms till she could walk, because her
father cursed her and refused to be-
lieve her his own because she grew
around my heart as a vine grows
around rugged oak. And the other?
She was nothing to me. l had never
seen her. My wife spirited her away
when it was night and dark. took the
proofs of her existence as a punish
ment to my wife, who, without them,
would never dare to return to this
country again. Herr, when a man loads
you with ignominy and contempt and
ridicule for something you are not to
blame, what do you seek? Revenge.
The prince tried to crush this lonely
child of his. 1t was l who brought her
up. 1t was who taught her to say her
prayers. 1t was l who made her what
she is today, a noble woman, with a
soul as spotless as yonder snowdrift.
That was my revenge"
"Who are you" cried. For this inn
keepers affection and eloquence SEEM
ed out of place.
."Who am I?' The smile which Lit his
face was wistful and sad. "The law of
man disavows me-the bar sinister. In
the eyes of God, who is accountable for
our being, l am Gretchen's uncle, her
fathers brother"
"You" l was astounded.
81"
"And who knows of thisw
'"The king, the prince-and you."
1 thrust a hand toward him. "You
are man."
"Wait. Swear to God that her high
ness shall never know"
Ion my honor"
Then he accepted my clasp and look
ed straight into my eyes.
"And all this to YOU"
81 love her."
"And she?"
"It is mutual Do you suppose she
would have put her life before mine If
not? She knew that the lieutenant
would have killed me-"
Zach! 1t never occurred to- me in
that light. l understood it to be a
frolic of hers. Will you make her hap
py"
'If an honest mans love can do it."
said 1. "Now, get on your hat and
coat. You must go to the capital with
me. The king would send for you in
any case. The next train leaves at 5.
and to save Gretchen these proofs must
be in the chancellor's hands tomorrow
morning."
eyes. my presence will be necessary.
Perhaps I have committed a crime.