Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1901-03-09


to the rumor that the princess had had
one spirited away to escape this
threatened contamination. And one Of
the nurses was missing. Whilher had
she gone remained a mystery and Is
still a mystery, for she never has re-
turned. Did she spirit away the other
child, the other girl? say girl ad-
visedly. If there had been q son, the
mother would have retained him. Two
years after this interesting episode the
princess died, and dying, confessed the
deception. But the curious thing Is no.
| body believed her. Her mind was not
strong, and it was thought to be hal
lucination, this second child. Now, let
me come to the present time. Twins
are generally alike. One mirrors the
other. When they mature, then comes
the deviation. perhaps in the color Of
the hair and the eyes. Behold, here
are two women but for their hair and
eyes were one. Tell me what you
know Of the other" He bent forward
with subdued cagerness.
"Do you think it possible?" l cried
excitedly.
Not only possible, but probable. She
is princess; at least, she should be-"
Then | told him what knew about
Phyllis.
America! Born in America! 1t can.
not be-" lie was battied.
Il have known her for eight years" !"
said |. "She was born in America as
certainly as | WAS"
But this likeness! This rumor Of
another daughter! All, there is some
thing here l dU not understand. And
this uncle Of hers, this Wentworth
| Who is hep
"a retired banker, very wealthy and
at present with the American ministry
at your own capital"
Ito him we must go, then" He rose
and walked the length Of the room,
stopped moment at the chess table in
the corner, then resumed his chair
"You are wondering, no doubt, what it
IL to me, all thisF
81 confess you have read my mind
correctly"
"Then listen. l am prince without
principulity-a prince by courtesy,
my brother ruling the principallty of
Wortumborg. Thus being without a
principality, l am necessarily without
revenues. / must replenish my very
low eycheQuer by q marriage--a mar
riage not so distasteful as it might be"
He met my darkening eyes with seren-
ity. "Since Thursday night have not
been so certain Of my wife'S dowry. If
there are two princesses, twins, they
must govern jointly, or one may abdi-
cate in favor Of the other. Her serene
highness the Princess Hildcgarde ls
the one who will be most likely to re-
linquish her claims to IIohenphalia. If
your friend Is proved to be her sister,
He stroked the orchid reflectively.
"WellT 1 cried. my pulse quickening.
"T shall withdraw my claim to the
hand Of the Princess Hildegarde. do
not care to rule half principality or
share half its revenues. There are
better things left than that. 1t Is my
hope, however. that no proofs can be
found and that your banker-diploma-
tist will show conclusively that bis
niece was born in America. Until this
question Is definitely settled my for
tunes shall not undergo any risks.
This is what l wanted to say to you,
why I wanted to know who your friend
was. Will you help me to get at the
bottom of things? We are both con-
cerned. The result will mean all or
nothing to you and me. All, believe
me, but you are favored mortal. The
friendship Of the one and the love or
the other No. do not look angry. With
all my sins, 1t cannot be said that !
lack frankncss and truthfulness. You
love the Princess IIIllrgarde. offer
you an equal chance to win her. Is
not that remarkably good nature? Till
the affair is settled my marriage Is
postponcd. Now. to our personal af-
fair. You cannot blame me If | give
you oil my honest hatred. am at
YOUR service after, Of course. the re.
spective positions Of the princesses are
assured. should take more pleasure
in shooting you or running SWORD
through your body than | took in the
affair with your friend. His courage
was truly admirable. had notbiug
against him. But you have grievous-
" wounded my self love. We forgive
all wrongs uut that. | warn you that
the affair will not be conducted after
the French mode. You have perhaps q
fortnight in which to improve your
craftsmanship. The matter Which
shall carry us abroad will conclude
within that time. shoot and fence
with my left hand as well as did
with my right"
Il shall he only too happy to meet
you." | replied. 81 prefer the pistol,
there Is less eXertiOn. and ii is quick
er."
You shall have every advantage,
said the prince. "You will have that
to nerve your arm which | shall not
huve-a woman's love" With bow
which was not without certain dig
nity and grace he walked from the
room.
Phyllis Il princess. Gretchen free!
| sent for my coat and hat and went
out forgot all about my appoint
mrnt with Colonel j of the Queen j
Light and that had left Pembroke
piuying billiards III Il strange clll''
whrr, myself had been hut Il guest.
The crisp October mir blew in my face
a. rapidly walked UP the mall. ana 1t
cooled the fever in my veins. But my
mind ran on rather wildly. Gretchen
free, PHYLLIS Il princess. Gretchen