The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1901-04-26
Continued from last week.
CHAPTER XIV.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES:
81. Copyright, 1900,
j.: By Harold MacGrath.

Gretchen stood at her full height, her
hands clinched. On her face there was
that half smile called consciousness Of
triumph. Hillars was gazing at her
with his soul swimming in his eyes.
And IL had a wild desire TO throw
myself at her feet then and there
Over the hard set visage of the inn
keeper the bar Of sunlight travelled,
over the scowling countenance of the
prince, over the puzzled brow of the
count, and, going, left a golden purple
In its wake, which i'm perceptibly deep
ened. The prince was first to speak.
81 protest" said he.
Against whatT asked Gretchen.
at is the kings will that you become
my wife. He will not tolerate this at
titude Of yours. Your principally is in
jeopardy, let me tell you"
"Does the fact that ! have promised
the king to become your wife detract
from my power? NOT jot. Till you
are my husband | am mistress here
and after"
"As to that we shall see," said the
prince. "Then you intend to keep your
promise?"
ais there man or woman who can say
that ] ever broke one?"
"Ycur highness, what are your COM
mandsY' 1t was the innkeeper who
spoke. His fingers were twitching
about the hammer of his carblne. He
nodded approvingly toward me. My
assault upon the prince had brought
me again into his good graces.
Gretchen did not answer him, but
she smiled kindly.
"Ah. yes" said the prince. 'This
is that Breunner fellow"
The innkeeper made movement
The prince saw 1t, and so did |. Prince
Ernst of Wortumborg was never so
near death in all his life as at that
moment. He knew it too.
"Your highness has n very good
memory" said the innkeeper dryly.
There are some things it were best
10 forget" replied the prince.
a. am pleased that your highness
shares my opinion" returned the old
fellow. The muzzle of the carbine
was once more pointed at the ceiling.
The rest of us looked on, but we I'M
derstood nothing of these passes. Even
Gretchen was in the dark.
"We met long ago." said the inn
keeper.
"Yes, but l have really forgotten
what the subject of our discussion
was" said the prince, regarding the
innkeeper through half closed lids.
perhaps he can explain"
at is very kind of your highness,'
said the innkeeper, laughing mali
ciously. "But am old, and my mem
DRY serves me ILL.,"
The prince shrugged. "But we have
drifted away from the present matter
Your highness, then, promises to bend
to the will Of the king"
EYES," said Gretchen. 81 gave the
king my promise because l had
wearied of resistance, having no one
to turn to-then. / shall marry you
though / detest you. But / shall be
your wife only In name and not in the
eyes of Cod"
of YOU" smiled the prince.
II shall depart this day for the CAPT
tai" continued Gretchen. Il warn yoJ
not to inflict your presence upon me
during the journey. Now go. The all
while you remain is somewhat difficult
to breathe"
The. prince surveyed the menacinG
faces which surrounded him, ther
gathered up his hat and gloves.
81 see that your highness will be
dutiful wife," he said, smoothing thu
silk Of his hat with his elbow. HI
blew into his gloves and carefully drew
them over his hands. "a pleasant jour
ney to your highness," he added
"Come, count. And theseW waving
his hand toward Hillars and me.
''They have my fullest protection"
He smiled villainously, then walked
to the door with measured tread. a
Of rage in his eyes, but he quickly sub
dued it.
"Auf wiedersehenw with q sweepin;
glance which took in all Of us and par
ticularly me.
He passed out, the count following
him soberly. The two cavalrymel
thrust their sabers into the scabbard
with a clank and made as though t
follow.
"Wait," said Gretchen. 81 shall hav
need OF you. You will escort me to tn
station. Now you may CO."
They saluted gravely. They appre
ciated the situation. The princess wa
their bread and butter.
"Your highness," said Hillars, "ther
has been q mistake"
"a mistaken repeated Gretchen wor
deringly.
eyes; they have made you princess
whereas they should have made you
queen. VIII you forgive me the trot
BILE have causedY
''It is i who must ask forgiveness c
YOU" she said, with a sad smile. "Yo
may kiss my hand, sir"
Hillars remained somewhat lon
over it.