The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1901-01-24
hardened, despite the airy tone he

hardened, despite the airy tone he
used.
81 see that there is nothing to be
got from you" Then the prince di-.
rected his glance to me. .tAnd you,
Sir; what is she to you?r What is her
serene highness to your
-s 'She is everything in the world to
sme," said l.
r. The CONSERVATION which followed
r. cannot bo described here The count
stepped back dumfounded. Hi11ars re-
garded me as though he thought l had
suddenly gone mad. The countenance
Of the prince alone remained unrufied
Count" he said, laughing, at seems
that the princess gathers lovers as a
wooden coat does teasels. Her lovers
there must now be a legion" -
"You lier' said Hillars, in an oddly
suppressed tone "You know that you
lie."
The princes lips drew to 4 thin line,
but that was ALL ''Still. who will dis
prove it?' he asked.
eff you will allow me-" said voice
behind us
We beheld the princess framed in
the doorway. There was pallor and
look of utter WEAKNESS in her face
At the sight of her the count uncov-
cred and the prince rose.
"You-e arrival is quite timely" said
he. Here are two champions of yours
Come which do you love?''
A fury sprang to my head, and
in our patience. l warn you that
have no fear Of the sabers back Of
you
The same sabers leaped from their
scabbards and fell stifly against their
owners shoulders instinctively.
HAS it come to this" said the prin-
cess a superb scorn in her eyes, "that
my honor must needs be defended by
strangers and aliens?' For the brief
est space her glance plunged into my
eyes. She moved toward the prince.
"And you. sir, are to be my husband"
ut is the will of the king" said the
prince a hooking smile Oh his lips.
How l lusted for his blood!
and, though my honor is doubtful"
went on the woman l loved, you still
would marry me?"
"Your highness," said the prince,
with bow which entailed the sweep
ing of his hands, Il would marry you
were your honor as
"What!" roared Hillars in English.
But he was a moment too late My
hands were around the throat of Prince
Ernst Of Wortumborg, and l was
shaking him till his teeth chartered
on each other like castanets. Surely
would have throttled him but for the
intervention of the count and the cav
alrymen. The count swung his arm
around my neck, while the cavalry
men, their saber points at Hillars'
breast, wrenched loose my hands. I
stood glaring at him, painting and fu-
rious. He leaned against the table,
gasping and coughing. Finally he re-
covered his composure.
Count, I was wrong; you were right.
These fellows are dangerous"
II will fight you on any termsv' I
fired back at him.
II shall send you one Of my lackeys,"
he replied. ''Take them away, and
shoot them II they resistW
Hibernate the gentlemen said Gret-
chen.
The count gazed at her in amaze
ment.
"Lberate them?' he cried.
Il command itr'
"You?' said the prince.
Eyes. This is my principality; these
are my soldiers. l command here"
This was coup indeed.
But we represent his majestyv'
cried the count, still holding me by the
throat. I was all but strangled my
self.
II care notwhom you represent" said
Gretchen. II am obedient only to the
king, not his minions Release the
gentlemen"'
The counts arm slowly unwound.
Hillars pressed down the saber points
with his hands and shook off the hand
of one Of the cavalrymen.
eff it be your highness WILL" he
said, I'VE will throw these intruders
into the road. Might is right waving
his hand to the door which led to the
barroom. The innkeeper and three
others filed into the room grimly and
silently. They were armed For the
first time the prince lost patience.
This is all very we'll, your highness,"
he sneered. 'sYou misunderstood the
limits of your power to command"
'Not in any part" said Gretchen. II
am sovereign here Notwithstanding the
kings will is paramount to my own.
These people are my people; these SOL
diers are fed of my bounty; this is my
country till the king takes it back.
You will act further at your peril"
CHAPTER XIV
bar of sunlight suddenly pervaded
the roonl-red sunlight-lighting in it's
passing tableau I shall never forget
Gretchen stood at her full height, her