The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1901-01-03
CHAPTER Nv.

My mission was important and took
me to the British legation, where l am
well known. l was most cordially in
vited to attend a ball to be given the
~next evening. The notables Of the
Rourt were there. For a few moments
the king let his sun shine on the as
semblagc. 1t was brilliant spectacle.
At midnight l saw for the first time
remarkably beautiful woman was
looking we'll myself that night. All
women like to see broad shoulders in
man. 1t suggests strength-some-
thing they have not. Several times
this young Woman's eyes met mine.
Somehow, mine were always first to
fall. There was a magnetism in hers
mine could not withstand. Later an
attache came to me and said that he
wished to present me to her serene
highness the Princess Hildegarde Of
let us call it Hohenphalia. He whis-
pered that she had commanded the in
PRODUCTION. l expected to see some
red faced dowager who wanted to ask
me about my country and bore me
with her cultural accents. To my in.
tense pleasure, found myself at the
side Of the beauty whom had been
admiring. There was a humorous
light in her eyes as she put some ques-
tons to me.
do you speak German?" she asked
in that language.
"Poorly, your highness," l answered.
"Perhaps, then. you speak French?"
Gas do my mother tongue" said I.
81 am interested in Americans" she
said.
"Collectively or individuality" tried
to say this with perfect innocence, but
the smile on her lips told me that l
had failed
Eyes, was sure that you would in
terest me-" She tapped the palm Of
her hand with the fan she held. "Shall
I tell you why desired to. meet your"
1 nodded
Il have heard it said that the Ameri-
can bows down before title, and 1
am a woman and curious"
Said |, laughing: "Your highness has
been misinformed. We never bow down
to title. 1t is to the wearers that we
bow
This time her eyes fell.
'This sort Of conversation is alto
gether new to me-" she said, opening
the fan
81 hope that have not offended your
highness," | said.
Indeed, no. But it seems so strange
to have any one talk to me with such
frankness and elaboration. Have you
no fear"
There is seldom fear where there is
admiration. If you had used the word
awe, now
Soft laughter rippled over the fam
She had the most wonderful eyes.
care all Americans brave like your
self?' she next asked
Brave? What do you call braveY"
'Your utter lack of fear in my pres
ence, in the first place. | am called
dangerous. And then your exploits in
the Balkistan, in the second place.
Are you not the NJ. Hillars whose BRAY
cry not so long ago was an interesting
topic in the newspapers? know you
This is truly remarkable" said l.
THE only thing did was to lead a
regiment out Of danger"
THE danger was annihilation.- If a
captain or colonel had done it, we
should have thought nothing of it, but
an utter stranger, who had nothing in
common with either cause-ah, believe
me. it was very gallant thing to do"
This is positively the first time |
was ever glad that did the thing" t
placed my hand over my heart But,
after ALL that is not half so brave as
what am doing now"
81 do not understand" said she, puz-
zled.
e.. why, it is simple. Here l am talk
, ing to you, occupying your time and
keeping those fierce generals at bay.
See how they are gnawing those fierce
mustaches and biting their lips and
asking one another who | am There
- are as many as five challenges waiting
for me the moment depart from your
side"
There was mischief in her eye
''Then you shall stay with me, find
me an ice and waltz once with me, for
if anything happened to you should
always have myself to blame"
! waltzed with her, and the perfume
Of her hair got into my head. and
grew dizzy. When the dance came to
an end. went into the smoking room.
Suddenly it went through my brain
that the world had changed in an in
credibly short time. tried to smoke,
md for the first time in my life tobac-
co was tasteless. l was falling in love
with princess. / confess that it did
not horrify me. On the contrary. I
grew thrilled and excited There was
a spice here which hitherto had been
denied me. The cost was unspelled
4 fell as far as could fall The IN
certainty of the affair was in itself an
.nnchantment -l..
Well, the next day l strolled up the
Avenue Of Legations and saw her on
horseback. She was accompanied by
an elderly man with face like an
eagles. There were various decora-