The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1901-01-24

! Wise SuOulO Oe DrOuBut UuCh ouu Ach-
given. and no one would know. In q
certain sense am valuable. The Ho-
henphalians love me. I am something
Of an idol to them. The king appreci-
ates my rule. 1t gives him knowl-
edge that there will be no internal
troubles In Hohenphalia so long as
matters stand as they now do. Still
there are limits to the kings patience,
and l am about to try them severely.
But monsieur hesitates. He will with
draw his promise"
mo, your highness," said l. 81 have
given my word. AS for the scandal, 1t
is not for myself that care. 1t will be
jolly adventure for me, and then l
shall have such clever story to tell
my friends at the clubs"
Size saw that l was offended. "For-
give rae, monsieur. l know that you
would do no such thing. But let me
explain to you. At the station we will
be intercepted by two trusted and high
officials at court"
"Whatw exclaimed. do they
known
mo, but shall write to them anony-
mously. the note to be placed in their
hands Immediately we leave the prem
iSeS."
looked at the woman in wonder.
"But this is madness" cried.
directly you will see the method in
the madness. Without their knowing
there could be no scandal They will
try to stop us. You will overpower and
bind them. There will also be several
other witnesses who will not be par
Elephants. Through them it will be-
come known that l have eloped with
an American. Oh, it is a well laid
plan"
But supposing 1 am overpowered
myself. thrown into Jail and l know
not what" All this was more than
had bargained for.
Nothing of the kind will happen.
Monsieur will hold a pistol in each
hand when the carriage door is open
ed. You will say: 4 am a desperate
man. One of you bind the other or |
fire. 1t will be done. You will spring
upon the remaining one, and will help
you to bind him likewise. Oh, you will
accomplish it well. You are a strong
man. Moreover, you are rapid"
sat in my chair. speechless. Here
was woman of details. l had never
met one before.
well, does monsieur accept the ad-
venture or does he politely decline?
There was subtle taunt in her tones
That decided me.
Your highness, should be happy to
meet thousand uhlans to do you serv-
ice. What you ask me to do is quite
simple" knew that should lose
my head in case of failure. l rose and
bowed as unconcernedly as though she
had but asked ME to join her with a
cup Of tea.
"Ah. monsieur, you are a man" And
she laughed softly as she saw me
throw back my shoulders. There was
unmistakable admiration in her eyes,
"And yet" with a sudden frown,
there will be danger. You may slip
+ You may become injured. Yes, there
is danger"
"Your highness," said l lowly. COM
polling her eyes to meet mine. lit is not
the danger Of the adventure or it's re-
suits that l most fear" l was honest
enough to make my meaning clear.
She blushed. Il said that trusted
monsieur's honor" was her rejoinder.
Come" with a return of her imperi-
BUSINESS, "it is time that we were gone"
She drew on her cloak and dropped the
veil. ~ might add" she said. that
we will remain in France one hour
From there you may go your way. and
shall 60 secretly to my palace"
And the glamour fell away like the
last leaves Of the year.
had to wake up the driver. who had
fallen asleep.
Where shall sayT' asked.
''fo your hotel. l shall give the driv
er the remaining instructions"
But you haven't told me-" said l, as
took my place in the carriage. how
am to become guest at the dinner to-
morrow evening"
II spoke to the king this morning. l
said that l had caprice. He replied
that If would promise it to be my last
he would grant it. l promised. said
that it was my desire to bring to the
! OluueT d pcTSOu WHO though WITHOUT
rank was a gentleman, one who would
grace any gathering kingly or other
wise. My word was sufficient. knew
before l asked you that you would
come. Twenty-four hours from now
we-that Is. you and Twill be on the
way to the French frontier. I shall be
ever in your debt"
Silence fell upon US. knew that
loved her with love that was burning
me up. consuming me. And the adven-
ture was all so unheard of for these
prosaic times! And SO full of the
charm of mystery was she that had
not been a man not to have fallen
victim. What possibilities suggested
themselves to me as on we rode! Once
across the frontier l should be free to
confess my love for her. A princess?
What Of that? She would be only
woman-the woman l loved. I trem-
bled. Something might happen so that
she would have to turn to me. If the
king refused to forgive her. she was
mine! All. that plain carriage held
wonderful dream that night. At length