The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1901-05-17


at was 90 years ago" said the
prince. 1T is beyond the recall. But
let me proceed. Not many years ago
there was n prince. very bad fel-
low"
Most OF them are"
"He married a woman too good for
him." went on the prince. as though
he had not heard.
another is about TO do likewise"
"There was some scandal. When
the princess was born, her father re-
fused to believe her TO be his child.
Now, 1t came to pass, as they say in
the Bible, which assure you is very
interesting book, that there were
vague rumOrs Immediately after the
birth of Princess Hildegarde that an
other child had been born"
what" was half out of my chair
"Another childY
"Another child. The fact that the
prince swore that when children came
he would make them counterparts Of
their kind and loving father lent color
to the rumor that the princess had had
threatened contamination. And one Of
the nurses was missing. Whittier haG
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 adj
visedly If there had been a son, the
mother would have retained him. Two
10 In. iyc ha
princess died, and dying, confessed the
deception But the curious thing is no.
body believed her. Her mind was not
strong. and il 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
wish subdued eagerness.
do you think it possible?" | 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-" He was ballled.
II have known her for eight years."
said l. She was born in America as
certainly as | was"
But this likeness? This rumor of
another daughter? All, there is some
thing here do not understand. And
this uncle Of hers, this Wentworth.
Who is he?
"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 n moment at the chess table in
the corner, then resumed his chair.
You are wondering, no doubt, what it
is to me, all this?"
Il confess you have read my mind
correctly"
Then listen. | am a prince without
principality-a prince by courtesy,
my brother ruling the principally of
Wortumborg. Thus being without a
principality, | am necessarily without
revenues. | must replenish my very
low eXchequer by a 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 wifes 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 Hildegarde is
the one who will be most likely to re-
linquish her claims to Hohenphalia. IL
your friend is proved TO be her sister,
He stroked the orchid reflectively.
"Well?" | cried, my pulse quckening.
81 shall withdraw my claim to the
hand Of the Princess Hildegarde. | do
not care to rule half principality or
share half it's revenues. There are
better things left than that. 1t is my
hope, however that no proofs can be
found and that your banker-diploma-
fist will show conclusively that his
niece was born in America. Until this
question is definitely settled my for
tunes shall not undergo any risks.
This Is what | wanted to say to you,
why 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 a favored mortal. The
friendship Of the one and the love Of
the other! No, do not look angry. With
all my sins, it cannot be said that
lack frankness and truthfulness. You
love the Princess Hildegarde. | offer
you an equal chance to win her. Is
not that remarkably good nature? TIL
the affair is settled my marriage is
postponed. Now, to our personal at
fair. You cannot blame me If l give
you all my honest hatred. l 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 n sword
through your body than | took in the
affair with your friend. His courage
was truly admirable. | had nothing