The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1901-02-07

you will have to remain till this after
noon, when the count will put In ap-
pearance. / dare say 1t Is possible that
), / have made q mistake. But could
not do otherwise In face Of my instruc-
tions."
i "The princess seems to me more
trouble than she Is worth"
sit is possible that you have never
seen her highness?' he said, limiting a
smile. "She is worth all the trouble
In the world"
"If man loved her." suggested.
"And what man does not who has
seen her and talked to herY' he replied,
pacing.
''The interest, then, you take in her
discovery is not all due to that impos-
ed upon you by Count Won Walden?'
! could not resist this thrust.
'sThe subject is one that does not ad-
NIT discussion" squaring his Shout
ders.
Suppose we talk Of something that
does not concern her. All this is a
| blunder for which you are partly to
blame. have bad lump on my head,
and you have black eye; but, as you
did what you believed to be your duty
and as l did what every man does
when self preservation becomes his
first thought, let us cry quits. Come,
what do you say to game of cards?
Let us play ecarte, or will teach you
the noble game of poker. To tell you
the truth, am becoming dreadfully
bored"
Believe me. bear you no i'll WILL"
he said, ''and am inclined to your
side of the story. Whoever you are,
you have the bearing of a gentleman,
and now that we have come to an un-
derstanding l shall treat you as such.
l have pack of cards down stairs.
I'll go and get them. This is not my
house or l should have placed you in
better quarters. shall leave the door
unlocked question in his eyes.
"Rest assured that l shall return to
the city as came-in carriage-and,
to be honest, am anxious to see the
Count Won Walden, who poses as the
princess watchdog"
And when he came back and found
me still sitting on the pallet his face
cleared. We played for small sums,
and the morning passed away rather
pleasantly than otherwise. The young
officer explained to me that he held an
important position at court and that he
was entitled to prefix baron to his
name.
1.-THE king is getting out of all pa
thence with her highness." he said
''This makes the second time the mar
rage has been postponed. Such oc-
currences ARE extremely annoying to
his majesty, who does not relish having
his commands so 1agrantly disregard
ed. shouldn't be surprised if he fore
ed lser into the marriage"
"When he knows how distasteful
this marriage is to her. why does he
not let the matter go?' 49,"
ut is too late now. Royalty, having
given it's word, never retracts it.
Events which the king wills must
come to pass or he loses apart of his
royal dignity. And then king cannot
very well be subservient to the will of
subject"
"But has she no rights as petty
sovereign" l asked. j..
"Only those which the king is kind
enough to give her. She is but tenant
the rulers of Hohenphalia are but
guests Of his majesty. It is to be re-
GREETED. but it cannot be Helped
That afternoon. as l lay on my pal
let, it seemed to me that in some unac-
countable way l was destined to be-
come concerned in the affairs of her
serene highness. had never seen the
woman. not even a picture of her.
Certainly she must be worth loving,
fnasmuch as she was worth trouble.
l have always found it to be the trou-
blesome woman who has the largest
train of lovers. Troublesome, they are
interesting; interesting, they are low
able.
1t was more than year since last
l saw Phyllis. Yet my love for her
knew no diminution. l began to I'M
derstand why Hillars travelled all over
the continent to get a glimpse of the |
woman he loved. With the pleasant |
thought that should see Phyllis again |
dozed l was half asleep when l |
was aroused by loud voices in the cor
ridor. 49,.
"But do not believe him to be the
man." heard my jailer declare.
bah! know there is no mistake"
roared voice which was accustomed
to command. Hes been trying to-.
hoodwink you. Watch the surprise in
his face when he sees me. the cursed
meddler and scribbler. 1t would be a
pleasure to witness his hanging. Come.
show him to me-"
eyes; come along. my dear old war
horse" | murmured. turning my face
toward the wall. There is nice little
surprise party in here waiting for you"
The door opened.
'Unlockedr' bawled the count. What
does this mean, .baron?'
''He gave his word as gentleman"
was the quiet reply.
"Gentleman? Ach! I'll take look
1T the gentleman" said the count, STEP
ping up to the pallet and shaking me
roughly by the shoulder. wake upw
! sat up so as not to miss the comedy
which was about to set it's scenes upon
The grim visage of the count As his
,voS mot rnir,o hfc 90 Foil = l.