The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1901-06-21

have nothing to gain. II IL is your de-
sire. | shall be happy TO explain that
YOU wish 10 withdraw. But say the
word"
He knew what my reply would be.
"Withdraw," said |. "and have you
laugh AT me and tell your friends that
acted the poltroon? Really, you do
me injustice
"And do you hate me so very much
mockery in his eyes.
"Not now. did hate you, but hatred
is n thing we should not waste any
more than love. / have taken the bird
and the nest from your hands; that is
more than enough. You are merely an
object for scorn and contempt and in
difference now. No; have no wish TO
withdraw"
"You read between the lines he
said. Indeed, | should like nothing
better than 10 have the privilege or
calling YOU "A poltroon and a coward
and TO tell your princess Of IT," lie
sauntered back 10 his place leisurely.
Aim the slightest TO the left" whis-
pered Pembroke; "the wind will carry
it home"
pressed his hand. A moment later
| stood facing the prince. lifted the
! pistol and fred. Had the prince been
ten feet TO the right he must have been
bit. | threw the smoking pistol aside,
let my arms fall and waited. | could
see that Pembroke was biting his lip to
hide his anxiety and disappointment.
Slowly the prince leveled the weapon
at my breast. Naturally ! shut my
eyes. Perhaps there was prayer on
my lips. God. how long that wait SEEM
ed to me! 1t became so tedious that L
opened my eyes again. The pistol arm
Of the prince appeared to have frozen
in the air
ut is getting cold" | cried "Shoot,
for Gods sake shoot, and end it,"
In reply the prince fired into the air,
took the pistol by the barrel and flung
it at my feet. The rest Of us looked on
dumfounded.
"They are all Of the same kidney,
count, these Americans" said he.
"They would be dangerous as nation
were it not for their love Of money"
Then to me- 600 tell your princess that
, | have given your life to you"
THE devil take youw l cried. The
strain had been terrible.
! "All In good time" retorted the
} prince, getting into his coat and furs
yesterday morning | had every inten
/ ton of killing you. This morning II
= was farthest from my thoughts, though
/ did hope to see you waver. You are
] a man Of courage SO was your friend
1t is to be regretted that we were OF
J. different sides. Devil take the women
| Good morning"
= After the count had gathered up thu
e pistols the two walked toward the inn
Pembroke and followed them at ;
:. distance.
|, 81 wonder if he had any idea Of wha
a poor shot you were?" unused Penn
- broke. 1T was a very good farce"
j. Il aimed ten feet to the right" sai'
;. l.
It "WhatY
Eyes"
l "Then you knew
It pembroke" said l, 81 had no inten
ton of killing him or even woundini
d him. And / never expected to leav
e this place alive. Something has occur
red during the last "a hours which W
IS do not understand"
"He was taking great risks"
D at shows the man he is" said l, an
the remainder of the distance was gon
in silence.
The carriages were in the road
Il, 40 In L
/, and | got into ours. AS the prime
placed a foot on the step of his he turf
% ed once more to me.
+ Pardon me-" he said, "but | cam
d near forgetting to tell you why l di
e. not kill you this morning. In som
y way your princess came into III
n knowledge that we were going to figl
o it out as they did in the old days. Sh
10 came TO my rooms and there begge
O me to spare your life. There was
= condition. 1t was that she get dow
- on her knees to sue-down on he
~ knees. All, what was your life con
pared to the joy Of her humiliation
- Not in the figure Of speech-on her liz
o. ing, mortal knees. my friend-her Ii
ing kneesr The carriage door bange
I behind him.
. 1t was only because Pembroke tire
his arms around me that did not lea
- out Of the carriage.
"Sit still. Jack. sit still If she be-
e ged your life, it was because she love
ar you"
And, full Of rage, saw the carrias
ro Of the prince vanish. AS the carriaG
nj vanished. so vanished the prince fro
the scene Of my adventures.
Arriving at our rooms. we four
M them in possession OF a lieutenant
the guard hussars. He was drummir
ee on the hearthstone with the end Of
al sword scabbard. AS we entered
rose and briefly saluted us.
ng (Which Of you two gentlemen
Herr Winthrop he asked.
re- 81 am he" said l.
lis ellis majesty commands your ina
M date presence at the palace"
"The kingf
nd Eyes"