The true northerner., 1901-02-08

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master / did not care who he was.
l knew that hated him.
For week fingered on. l met her
time and again, alone on horseback, at
the various embassies and at the
opera. At these meetings | learned a
great deal about her. She was known
TO be the most capricious woman at
court, and that she was as courageous
as she was daring, and that the prince
might consider himself lucky if he got
her, kings will or no kings will. She
had little liking for her intended. She
treated him contemptuously and held
his desires in utter disregard. One
fine morning | was told that the prince
was beginning TO notice my attentions,
that he was one of the most noted pis-
tol shots and swordsmen on the CONT
nent and that if | had any particular
regard for my epidermis / would cease
my attendance on the princess at once.
This of course made me more attentive
than ever. for | can hold my own with
any man when it comes TO pistols, and
/ can handle the rapier with some sue
cess.
1t was one night at the opera that
the climax was brought about. l sat
in one of the stalls diagonally across
from the royal box where she sat. She
saw me and gave me the barest nod of
recognition. Perhaps she did not wish
to attract the attention of the royal
personages who sat with her, for the
nod struck me as clandestine. Between
the first and second acts IA note was
handed to me. II was not addressed,
neither was it signed. But it was for
me. The bearer spoke my name. AS
near as / can remember the note con-
tanned these words:
"a carriage will await you two
blocks south. 1t will be without lights.
You will enter it exactly ten minutes
after the opera is ended"
That was all, but it was enough.
When / returned to my seat, l found
the princess gazing intently at me. l
made an affirmative gesture and was
rewarded with a smile which set my
blood to rushing / made little out of
the last act. | could not dream what
the anonymous note had behind it. l
suspicioned an intrigue, but what use
had she for me, an American, a very
nobody? Something unusual was about
to take place, and l was TO be a wit
ness or participant of it. That was
as far as my talent for logical deduc-
tion went Promptly at the stated
time | stood at the side of the carriage.
1t was the plainest sort Of an affair.
Evidently 1t had been hired for the oc-
casion. The door opened.
''Step in, monsieur" said a low voice
in French. | obeyed. The horse start
ed. AS we spun along the pavement a
light flashed into the window. The
princess sat before me. There was II
ringing in my ears, and / breathed
quickly. But said no word. 1t was
for her TO speak first.
Monsieur is an American" she be-
gan THE American is of chivalric
race"
THAT should be the aim of all men,"
| replied.
been studying you for the past week
Tonight place my honor and my fame
in your hands. 1t is for you TO prove
that you are a knight. | trust you.
When | have said what | shall say to
you. you may withdraw or give me
your aid. as you please"
Il am grateful for your confidence,
your highness," said l. What is it
that you wish me to doW
Have patience, monsieur, till the
ride is DONE" she said. do not speak
again till permit you. l must think"
The journey was accomplished in
half an hour.
"It is here, monsieur, that we alight,
she said as the carriage stopped.
/ was glad that her opera cloak was
of dark material and that she wore a
veil.
The building before which we stood
was on the outskirts of the city. Far
away to my left could see the flicker
ing lights Of the palaces. A yellowish
haze hung over all. Once within the
building | noted with surprise the lux
urious appointments. Plainly 1t was
no common inn. resort for the middle
and travelling classes. Whether it was
patronized by the nobility could only
surmise.
I'VE shall continue to speak in
French" she said as she threw back
her cloak and lifted her veil. Mon
sieur has probably heard that the Prin-
cess Hidegarde is a creature OF ex-
travagant caprices, and he expects an
escapade."
"Your highness wrongs me-" l pro-
tested 81 am an obscure American.
Your highness does not share your
that is
/ stopped. not wishing to give the
term escapade to anything she might
do. AS a matter of fact she has caus-
ed her royal guardian. the king, no end
cf trouble. She went to Paris once un-
attended. At another time she roamed
around Heidelberg and slashed fenc-
ing master. She had donned n stu
dents garb. She is said TO be the finest
swordswoman on the continent. Yet
Notwithstanding her caprices she is a
noble minded woman. She does all
these things called social vagaries be-