The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-10-29
Ind a romance spoiled." SIC laughed

an ordinary woman
"Oh. but / am a very ordinary woman
she demonstrated. you do not know how
easy il is TO be princess and mere wom-
an at the same time. I have heart, head.
I breathe. and eat and drink and sleep,
and love. Is it not that way with all
women
you breathe. and eat, and drink, and
sleep. and love in a different world, though,
your highness."
'Ach, my little maid, Therese, sleeps as
soundly eats as heartily and loves as
warmly as 1 do, so fig for your argu-
meut"
you may breathe the air. but
would you love the same man that your
maid might lover"
us man the only excuse for lover she
asked IF so, then / must say that L
breathe, and eat. and drink, and sleep-and
that is all.
Pardon me, but some day you will find
that love is a man, and'-here he laughed
"you will neither breathe nor eat. nor
sleep, except with him in your heart. Even
a princess is not proof against man."
"Is man proof against princess?" she
asked, as she leaned against the easement.
ut depends on the"-he paused-"the
princess, 1 should say
alas. There is one more fresh RESPONSE
bilty acquired. 1t seems to me that every
thing depends on the princess" she said
merrily.
Not entirely" he said. quickly. "A great
deal-a very great deal-depends on circum-
stances. For instance. when YOU were Miss
GuggensIocker it wouldn't have been neces-
sary for the man 10 be a prince, you
know"
But 1 was Miss Guggenslocker because a
man was unnecessary" she said, so grave
~ that he smiled. II was without a title be-
! cause it was more womanly than to be a
freak as L should have been had every
man, woman and child looked upon me as
Il princess. L did not travel through your
land for the purpose of exhibiting myself,
but to learn and unlearn.
II remember it cost you certain coin to
learn one thing" he observed.
! 1T was money well spent, subsequent
| events have proved. shall never regret the
! spending of that half gavvo. Was it not the
means OF bringing you to Edelweiss?''
'Well, it was largely responsible. but
am inclined to believe that certain desire
OH my part would have found a way with
out the assistance Of the coin. You don't
know how persistent American can be-
would you have persisted had you
known 1 was a princess?' she asked.
well. l can hardly tell about that. but
you must remember 1 didn't know who or
what you were"
would you have come TO Graustark had
you known 1 was it's princess?"
"II admit 1 came because you were Miss
Guggenslocker."
"a mere woman"
Il will not consent TO the word mere
What would you think of man who came
half way across the earth for the sake of a
mere woman"
Il should say he had a great deal OF Curl
! osity.' she responded coolly.
And not much sense There is but one
woman man would do so much for, and
she could not be a mere woman i'm his
eyes" Lorry's face was white and his eyes
CLEANED as he hurled this bold conclusion
at her.
Especially when he learns that she is a
princess said she, her voice so cold and
/ repellent that his eyes closed invoIuntariIv
| as II an unexpected horror had come be-
fore them. You must not tell me that YOU
| came to see me"
But L did come to sec you and not the
| Princess Yetive of Graustark How was I
| TO know he cried, impulsively
But you are no longer ignorant" she
| said, looking from the window
Il thought you said you were a mere
woman
Il am-and that is the trouble,' she said.
slowly turning her eyes back to him. Then
! she abruptly sank to the window seat near
| his head. THAT is the trouble, I saw A
/ woman is a woman, although she be a
princess. Don't you understand why you
pust not say such things to me-"
Because you are princess" he said.
bitterly.
mo; because am woman. As a woman
/ L want to hear them. as princess I can
not. Now, have L made you understand >
/ Have L been bold eno1gh?" Her face was
| burning.
''You-you don't mean that you he
half whispered. drawing himself toward
her, his face glowing.
"Achl What have 1 said?"
You have said enough to drive me mad
with desire for more" he cried Selling her
/ hand, which she withdrew instantly. rising
to her feet.
| II have only said that L wanted TO hear
you say you had come to sec me. Is not
| that something for n womans vanity to
value? L am sorry you have presumed To
misunderstood me-" She was cold again.
| but he was not TO be baffled.
Then be a woman and forget that Won
are princess until I tell you why came. -
| he cried.
Il cannot, / mean. / will not listen to
| you" she said, glancing about heIplessly,
yet standing still within the danger circle.
II came because L have thought of you
| and dreamed Of you since the day YOU
sailed from New York. God, can ever for
/ get that day!
please do not recall" she began.
I blushing and turning to the window
THE kiss YOU threw to me? Were YOU a
princess them She did not answer. and he
paused for moment. a thought striking
! him which at first he did not dare 10 voice.
/ Then he blurted il out. IF you do not want
90 hear me say these things, why do you
stand there"
oh she faltered.
Don't leave me now. / want TO say what
came over here 10 say, and then YOU can
| go back to your throne and your royal re-
| serve. and 1 can go back 10 the land from
which YOU drew me. l came because loved
/ you. Is not that enough TO drag a man TO
I the end of the world? 1 came to marry Won
/ il | could, for you were Miss GuggensIock-
/ er TO me. Then YOU were within my reach.