The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1901-06-21
By Harold MaCGrath "
CONTINUED from last week.
CHAPTER xxi.

about the dramatic enulnS OF lTlHce |
Ernst's engagement to the Princess
Hndegarde. Twice ] had called at the
Hohenphalian residence TO pay my re-
spects. Once | was told that their
highnesses were at the palace. The sec
ond time ! was Informed that their
highnesses were indisposed. ! became
gloomy and disheartened. | could not
understand. Gretchen had not even
thanked me for my efforts in saving
her the unhappiness of marrying the
prince. And Phyllis, she who had call
ed me Jack" she whom / had watch
ed grow from girlhood to womanhood,
she. too. had forsaken me. | do not
know what would have become of me
but for Pembroke's cheerfulness.
Monday night l was sitting before
the CRATE reading for the hundredth
time Gretchens only letter. Pembroke
was buried behind the covers of mag
azine. Suddenly a yellow flame leaped
from n pine log, and in it l seemed to
read all. Gretchen was proud and Jeal-
Gus. She believed that l loved Phyllis
and had made her a princess because !
loved her 1t was the first time l Aad
laughed in many an hour. Pembroke
looked over his magazine.
"That sounds good. What caused itF
~ story" answered. "Some day
shall tell you all about it. If you will
excuse me, cousin mine, I'll make
call on her serene highness the Prin-
cess Hlldegarde."
Just then the door opened and Penn
broke's valet came in. He handed a
card to me, and l read upon it, Count
Won Walden" | cast ii into Pembroke's
lap.
That's the man. He is the insep-
arabic of the Prince of WOrtumborg.
Then to the valet, SHOW him up.
The count grayely passed over the
threshold.
Good evening"" he said, with look
of inquiry at Pembroke.
"This gentleman" said ! as | intro
duced him, Twill second me IN the at
fair tomorrow morning. l suppose you
have come to make the final arrange
mentsY
Pardon me-" began Pembroke, but
do not understand
ooh. | forgot You are" | respond
ed. 40 be my second in a duel tomor-
row morning. Should anything hap
pen to me it were well to have friend
near by, better still a relative. Well
COUNT
"The prince desires me to inform you
that he has selected pistols at your re
quest and despite the fact that he has
only the use Of his left hand he per
I,f
will be one Sh. the firing TO D'
drawn for on ads. The time
is 6. the pac, one nile out on thu
north road in the rear of the Strass
burg inn ! trust this is entirely sat
isfactOry TO You"
at is" answered.
"Then allow me TO bid you gCoC
night" He bowed and backed TOWARD
the door He remained a moment witt
his hand on the knob, gazing into IN.
eyes. | read in his mixture o
amusement and curiosity. GOO,
night" And he was gone.
Pembroke stared at me in bewilder
ment What the devil'-
at is a matter Of long standing,
said l.
"But a duel" he cried impatiently
"Hang me if I'll be your second or le
you fight! These are not the days o
Richelieu. 1t is pure murder. 1t
against the law
"But l cannot draw back honorably,
/ said Il cannot
"Tu notify the police and have then
stop it, le said, with determination.
"And have US all arrested and laugh
ed at from one end of the continent {
the other My dear cousin, that ma
shot the dearest friend | had in tn
world. ! am going to try to Kill him
the risk of getting killed myself. II
has also insulted the noblest woma
that ever lived. If l backed down,
should be called coward. The PEE
pie who respect me now would clos
their doors In my face"
"But you have everything to los
and he has nothing to gain"
at cannot be helped" said l. "Tl
woman / love once fought duel f
me. l cannot do less for her. You w
be my secondY'
Eyes. But if he wounds you woe
him."
Every well. I'll leave you" said 1.
1t was not far to the residence
their highnesses, so l walked.
The liveried footman took my card.
present 1t to her highness the Pri
cess Hildegarde," ] said as l passed
to the hall.
"Her serene highness has left town
believe, your excellency. Her sere
highness the Princess Elizabeth is iii
ing at the palace"
"GoneY said /.
ayes, your excellency." lie examin
my card closely. "Ah, allow me TO {
liver this note to you, which her sere
highness directed me to do should "
call"
Ny hands shook as l accepted I
missive. and the lights began to way
! passed out into the cold air. Con
And why? / walked back TO the rool
in feverish haste. Pembroke was 81