The Princeton union., 1901-02-28
1t 1Uds Phyllis.

liver this note to you, which her serene
highness directed me to do should YOU
CALL"
My hands shook as l accepted the
missive, and the lights began to waver.
l passed out into the cold air. Gone?
And why? I walked back to the rooms
in feverish haste Pembroke was still
at his reading.
"Hello! What brings you back so
soon?'
''She was not at home," ranswered.
threw my coat and hat on the sofa.
balanced the envelope in my hand. l
drew forth the contents and read it..
Herr Winthrop-Forgive the indiscretion of a
princess. On my honor am sorry for having
made you believe that you inspired me with the
grand passion. Folly finds plenty to do with idle
minds. 1t was caprice of mine which heartily
regret. There is nothing to forgive; there is
much to forget. However, am under great obli.
cations to you. l am positive that shall love my
sister as have never loved a human being be-
fore. She is adorable, and can we'll comprehend
why you should love her deeply. Forgive me for
playing with what the French call your summer
affections l am about to leave for Hohenphalia
to prepare the way for the new sovereign. Will
you kindly destroy that one indiscreet letter
which l, in the spirit Of mischief, wrote you last
autumn? The PRINCESS HILDEGARDE.
The envelope reminded me of rusty
scabbard; there was very keen weap-
on within. I lit my pipe and puffed for
awhile.
"Cousin," said l, II have a Fremont
ton that l shall not kill Prince Ernst
Of Wortumborg at o'clock tomorrow
morning"
What put that into your head? You
are not going to back down after all,
are you?"
decidedly not. Something strikes
me that l shall miss fire.
"Pshaw" exclaimed Pembroke. Il
have been thinking it over, and Pve
come to the conclusion that it would
not be bad plan to rid this world Of a
man like your prince. It'll all come
out right in the end. You will wed
the Princess Hildegarde just as sure
as-as will not we'd her sister," He
spoke the last words rapidly, as though
afraid of them.
IT Shall never marry the Princess
Hildegarde,,' said I. ''She has gone"
"Gone? Where?''
1T matters not where. Suffice it is
that she has gone. Pembroke, you and
were very unfortunate fellows. What
earthly use have princesses for you
and me?- The little knowledge of court
we have was got out of cheap books
and newspaper articles. To talk with
kings and princesses it requires an in
nate etiquette which commoners can
not learn. We are not to the manner
born. These princesses are but can
dies, and now that we have singed our
notify wings and are crippled so that
we may not fly again let us beware.
This may or may not be my last night
on earth. Let us go to the opera. Let
US be original in all things. shall
pay a prima donna to sing my requiem
from the footlights before am dead"
"Jack!' cried Pembroke anxiously.
cob, do not worry!' said l. II am
only trying to laugh, but can't"
care you truly serious about going
to the opera? p he asked. - ,.:e-..,s,:
."Yes. Hurry and Dress" said l.
So we went to the opera They are
full Of wonderful scenes, these conti-
mental opera houses. Here and there
one sees the brilliant uniforms, blue
and scarlet and brown. glittering with
insignias and softened by furs. Old
men with sashes crossing the white
bosoms of their linen dominate the
boxes, and the beauty Of woman is Of
ten lost in the sparkle of jewels. And
lowering over all is an oppressive fra.
grance. Pembroke's glasses were row.
ing about. Presently he touched my
arm. - 723sz5 a.. =: 5 IS
In the upper proscenium." be said.
It was Phyllis. The chancellor and
the Grand Duke Of s. were with
her.