Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1901-03-13


"No. but during the short time they
have been In the city they have been
mistaken for each other. And why do
you call her my princess?"
"She Is not ours yet. 1t was strange
story, as l remember it. In those days
we had our doubts, as we still have. of
another child. By the way. who sug-
gested the matter to you"
I recounted my interview with the
prince.
"Ah." said the chancellor, $50 1t was
he? He Is a greedy fellow and care
full. | can readily understand bis OBJ
ject. He wants all or nothing. | shall
help you all | can" be concluded as |
reached for my hat.
II ask nothing more." l replied. And
then | passed from the cabinet into the
crowded anteroom. 1t waE filled with
diplomats and soldiers. each waiting
for an audience. They eyed me curious
ly and perhaps enviously as | made
my way to the street "Yes, indeed.
what will the king say?" | mused on
the way back to my rooms. What
could he say?
That night Pembroke and | arrived
at the ministry a little after 10. l
was In a state Of extreme nervousness.
T'm In a regular funk" said Penn
broke. "Supposing your princess does
not Gomez"
1T Is written that she will come"
"Well. I'm glad that looked you
up in London. would not have miss
ed this adventure"
We found Phyllis In a nook under
the grand staircase. gave a slight
exclamation as saw her. had never
seen her looking so beautiful.
"Come and sit down." said she, max
ing room for US. 81 have had curious
adventure"
"Tell us all about it." said Penn.
broke.
81 have had the honor Of being mis-
taken for princess" triumphantly.
"Who could doubt itp' said l, with a
glance | could not help. which made
her lower her eyes.
Moreover" she continued. this time
looking at Pembroke. 1.-THE gentleman
who committed the error was the Aus.
trian ambassador. What a compli-
ment to take homer
"And who was the princess" | felt
compelled to ask. though ! knew per-
fectly well.
The Princess Hildegarde. Do you
recall the night in London" to me,
Lwhen the same thing occurred? l
en- very anxious to meet this princess
who looks so like me-"
You will have that pleasure imme-
Giately after the OPERA" said l.
Pembroke's eyes said something to
me then, and rose.
"There is Mr.. Wentworth. wish to
speak to him. Will you excuse me-?
with pleasure! laughed Pembroke.
threaded my way through the gath
ering throng to the side Of Mr.. Went
worth.
How d'y' do. Winthrop?' he said.
taking me by the arm. Come Into the
conservatory. want you to see some
of the finest orchids that ever came
from South America. The girls are
looking we'll tonight. l suppose you
noticed"
ESPECIALLY Phyllis" Our eyes met.
When we entered the conservatory,
he suddenly forgot all about the or
chids.
"Jack, I'm worried about her-Phyl-
lis. You see, she Is not my niece.
There's long story. This morning
gentleman visited my department. He
was Prince Ernst Of Wortumborg. He
began by asking ME If Phyllis was my
niece. That started the business. He
proceeded to prove to me, as far as
possible, that Phyllis was a princess.
l could not say that 1t was all non-
sense, because did not know. Some
20 years ago a strange thing happened.
| occupied the same residence as to-
day. 1t was near midnight, and snow
ing fercely | was looking over some
documents. when the footman came in
and announced the presence Of q
strange woman in the hall who de-
manded to see me. The woman was
young and handsome, and In her arms
she carried q child. Would |. for hu-
manity's sake. give roof to the child
till the morrow? The woman said that
she was looking for her relatives. but
as yet had not found them. and that
the night was too cold for the child
to be carried around. She was a
nurse. The child was not hers. but be-
longe6 to a wealthy family Of the
south, who were to have arrived that
day, but had not.
"The thing seemed so irregular that
at once consented. thinking to scan
the papers the next day for an account
Of lost or stolen child. She also car
ried q box which contained. she said,
the child's identity. Now, as | am a
living man. there was nothing in that
box to show who the child was-noth-
ing but clothes; not jewel or trinket.
| looked through the papers In vain.
And the woman never appeared again.
Much against my will | was forced to
keep the child. am glad did. for l
have grown to love her as one Of my
own. had married sister who died In
Carolina. SO felt secure in stating that
Phyllis was her daughter. therefore my
niece. And that is positively all
know. And here comes fellow who
says he knows who she Is and. more
over. that she Is princess. What do
you say to that?"
what he said WAS true" gloomily.
Without proofs Gretchen remained as
far away rs ever. ! told him what |
know