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

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And 50 We went along. Il did not
know what to do nor yet what to say
confictsWas raging in my heart be-
tween shame and love shame that q
woman had fought for me and won.
where should have lost, love that
strovez to spring from my lips IN exulta-
ton. knew not which would have
cong had not espied the blood
on Gretchen's white hand zzs.:
EEss You are Wounded!' Icried.
She gazed at her hand as though she
did not understand; then with little
sob and a little choke, she extended her
arms toward me and stumbled. was
ever there a woman who could look on
blood without fainttng :? Giptclen had
not quite tainted, lsit the moon had
danced, she said, and all had grown
dim. <. z-rrss ~ Il rs 50
Gretchen, why did you risk your
life? In Gods name, what manner of
woman are you and where did YOU
learn to use the sword? Had you no
thought of meg" was somewhat in
coherent = 49, -. -: -, =" :.
mo thought of you?' She drew the
back of her hand over her eyes. '.No
thought Of you? did =, because-be-
cause i did not-1 could not-you would
! have been killed!' ::
was a man-human. loved her. 1
had always loved her. had never
loYed any one else. Twas a coward to
do what / did, butI could not help it.
l crushed her to my breast and kissed
her lips, not once, but many times.
"HoW dare you?' weakly.
How dare /, Gretchen, dear Gret-
chen? said. II dare because love
you!~ Hove you! What is-it to me that
you have dishonored me in the eyes of
men? Nothing. Il love you.- Are you
4 Il ;barmaid care not. Are you con-
| spirator? l know not nor care
know but one thing. love you. I
shall always love you. Shall i tell you
more? Gretchen, you love mew
No, no, it cannot bel" she sobbed.
pushing me back. 81 am the most
wretched woman in the world. Do not
follow. me, herr: Leave me; beg you
to leave me. 1 have need of the little
strength left. Leave me, leave mew
And she passed through the doorway
into the darkness beyond. l did not
move from where l stood. I grew
afraid that it was dream and that if
l moved it would vanish: l could yet
feel her 1.-the, warm body FACILITATING
in my arms: My lips still tingled and
burned with the fame of hers. An
exultant wave swept over me. She
loved me! She had not told me so, but
knew. She had put her heart before
mine. My life was dearer to her than
her own. l could have laughed for joy
She loved me! My love overwhelmed
my shame, engulfed it. Then
Il know you" Sid harsh voice at
my elbow. It startled me. and wheel
| ed swiftly. It was the lieutenant's
brother officer. II thought from what
heard Of you that you were a man
worth trouble and caution: Ach, you,
the man we have secured the country
for? I should not have believed 1t.
To let a woman fight for him! And
she-she is more than a woman-she is
a goddess!' with enthusiasm eff I
was betrothed to her, I'd find her if
had to hunt in heaven and hell for
her. And what does she see in you?''
He snapped his fingers derisively. II
warn you that your race is run You
cannot leave a:railway station within
the radius of. a hundred miles. The
best thing you can do is to swim the
river and stop in the middle. The
prince is at the village, and he shall
know. Woe to- you, you meddlerv'
Young man." said a Voice from over
my shoulder, from the doorway, "you
should by right address those imperti-
| nent remarks to me. am Hillars, the
man you SEEK
And l had forgotten his very ex-
| istence! What did he know? What
had he seen?
"You may inform Count Won Wal
den," continued Dan, ,"that 1 shall
await his advent with the greatest of
| Impotence: Now let me add that you
are treating this gentleman with much
| injustice. I'll stake my life on his
courage. The Princess Hildegarde is
alone responsible for what has just
udppSucu -f---
| ''The Princess Hildegardey' 1 cried.
Hillars went on: "Why she. did this
is none of your business or mine.
Why she substituted herself concerns
her and this gentleman only. Now go,
and be hanged to you and your prince
and your count and your whole stupid
country: Come, Jack!' >,
The fellow looked first at me, then
at Dan. -.-.--. -.
II apologize" he said to Dan, s.for
installing this man for you" He click
ed his heels, swung around and march
ed off, ~
Come" said Dan. - -
dumbly followed him up to my:
ROOM. He struck a match and lit the
candle. -. 49, Z. - --.7<<s. -
"Got any tobacco ~ he asked, taking
out a black pipe.l."I have not had a
good smoke in week. 1 WANT smoke
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