The Sauk Centre herald., 1901-03-21

suspended from his neck by chain Of
gold. there was nothing about him to
distinguish his rank He strobe back
and forth, sometimes going the whole
length of the white room. The chancel-
lor sat at long mahogany table. and
the prince and Mr.. Wentworth were
seated at either side of him. The inn
keeper stood before the chancellor at
the opposite side Of the table. His face
might have been cut from granite. 1t
was so set and impassive. leaned oven
the back Of chair in the rear Of the
room. The king came close to me once
and fixed his keen blue eyes on mine.
"Was this the fellow, prince" he
asked. "who caused you all the trouble
and anxiety" .
l. felt uneasy. My experience with
kings was not large. .
>"No, your majesty" answered the
prince. "The gentleman to whom you
refer has departed the scene" The
prince caught the fire in my eye and
laughed softly.
"Ah." said the king carelessly, "it is
a strange story. Proceed" with a nod
to the chancellor.
"What is your name| the chancellor
asked. directing his glance at the inn
keeper.
The innkeeper gazed at the king for
a space. The prince was watching him
with mocking smile,
Hermann Breunner, your excellen-
cy."
The king stood still. He had forgot
ten the man. but not the name.
Hermann Breunner." he mused.
"Yes, your majesty" said the inn
| keeper.
1.-THE keeper of the feudal inn." sup
plemented the prince.
The glance the innkeeper shot him
was swift. The prince suddenly bus
led himself with the papers.
What was your object in defraud-
ing the princess''-the chancellor open
ed one Of the documents which lay be-
fore him-'the Princess Elizabeth Of
her rights?"
81 desired the Princess Hildegarde to
possess ALL" was the answer. 1t was
also challenge to the prince to refute
the answer if he dared. 81 acknowl-
edge that l have committed a crime.
submit to his majesty's WILL" bowling
reverentially.
The king was stroking his chin, a
j sign of deep meditation in him.
LET their highnesses be brought in,"
he said at last.
The chancellor rose and passed into
the anteroom. Shortly he returned, fol-
lowed by Gretchen. could see by the
| expression In ner race that she was
mystified by the proceeding.
Her highness the Princess Eliza
beth is just leaving the carriage" an
nounced the chancellor, retiring again.
| Gretchen looked first at the king,
then at the prince. AS she saw the inn
keepaa a wave of astonishment rippled
over her face.
"Be seated, your highness," said the
king kindly.
She knew that I was in the room,
but her eyes never left the king.
The prince was plucking at his i'm
perial. The innkeeper's eyes were
riveted on the door. He was waiting
for the appearance of her whom he
had wronged. Presently Phyllis came
in. Her cheeks were red, and her eyes
sparkled with excitement. Wentworth
nodded reassuringly. The innkeeper
was like one stricken dumb. He star
ed at Phyllis till l thought his eyes
would start from their sockets.
"Your majesty has summoned me?'
said Gretchen.
"Yes. Explain" said the king to the
chancellor.
"Your highness," began the chan
cellor, ''it has been proved by these
! papers here and by that man there"
pointing to the innkeeper, that your
mother Of lamented memory gave birth
to twins. One is yourself; the other
was spirited away at the request Of
your mother. We shall pass over her
reasons. 1t was all due to the efforts
Of this clever journalist here"-Gret-
chen was compelled to look at me now,
while the king frowned and the prince
smiled-"that your sister has been
found"
Gretchen gave cry and started to
go to Phyllis with outstretched arms,
but as Phyllis stood motionless she
stopped. and her arms fell.
"Your highness," said the king to
Phyllis, ''it is your sister, the Princess
Hildegarde. Embrace her, beg you."
The king willed it. But it occurred
to me that there was warmth lacking
in the embrace. Gretchen lightly
brushed with her lips the cheek Of her
sister. and the kiss was as lightly re-
turned. There was something about it
all we men failed to understand.
Moreover" said the king, "she de-
sires you to remain the sovereign
Princess Of Hohenphalia."
NAY, your majesty" said Gretchen;
ut is who will relinquish my claims.
Your majesty is aware that 1 have
many caprices."
Indeed, yes," said the king. "And
can assure you that they have caused
me no small anxiety. But let us come
to an understanding once and for all.
Do you wish to abdicate in favor of
your sister?'
Gretchen gave me the briefest notice.
Eyes, YOUR majesty"