The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1901-01-31
By Harold MacGrath -

and elevating his feet. trick he bad
acquired while being reared in his ma
tive land. which was the state Of ILL
nOis, in America. You want to be
careful. Every one burns his fingers
or singes his wings around that can
die"
What do you know about her?"
asked
"A little. You see. about six months
ago l discovered all regarding Hillars
and his fall from grace 1t was through
the Reuter- agency. Hillars got badly
singed. An elopement of some sort
between him and the princess was nip
ped in the bud. He was ordered to
leave the country and warned never to
return at the peril of his liberty. A de-
scription of him is with every post on
the frontier. AS for the princess, she
is an interesting character. She was
educated in this country and France.
She speaks several languages. She Is
headstrong and willful, and her royal
guardian is only too anxious to see her
married and settled down. She mas
querades in mems clothes when it
trooper. she fences and shoots. she has
fought two duels. and heaven alone
knows what she has not done to dis
turb the tranquility of the court. For
a man she loved she would be merry
comrade. | saw her once in Paris.
She is an extraordinarily beautiful wo-
man. A man takes no end of risk when
he concerns himself with her affairs.
can tell you. Hillars-well, l suppose
it's none of my business. He must
have had an exciting time of it" con-
cluded the young man.
"I'll leave you in charge for a week
or so,' said |. What little news there
is at the houses you can cover. I'll
take care of anything of Importance
that occurs abroad. l might as well
pack up and get out tonight. A boat
leaves Dover early in the morning"
Then | picked up the third and last
letter. 1t was from Phyllis. 1t con-
tanned the enjoyable news that the
Wentworths were coming abroad and
B. where Mr.. Wentworth had been
appointed charge d'affaires under the
American minister. They were to visit
the Mediterranean before coming to
London. They would be in town in
October The mere thought of seeing
Phyllis made my heart throb. The
next morning put out from Dover. 1t
70 hot of
the year. and came near being sea-
sick. A day or so in Paris brought me
around. and l proceeded. AS passed
the frontier | noticed that my pass
ports were eagerly scanned and that
was closely scrutinized for some rea-
son or other.
A smartly dressed officer occupied
half of the carriage compartment
with me- tried to draw him into con-
versatiOn. but he proved to be untalka-
tive: so busted myself with the latest
issue of the Paris ILLUSTRATION.
never glanced in the direction of the
officer but what | found him staring
intently at me. This irritated me-
The incident was repeated so many
times that | said:
81 trust herr will remember me in
the days to come"
"Eh:" somewhat startled. l thought.
81 observed that you will possibly
remember me in the days to come. or
perhaps resemble some one you
know"
Not in the least" was the naughty
retOrt.
shrugged and relit my pipe. The
tobacco had purchased in Paris. and
it was of the customary vileness. Per-
haps l could smoke out mein herr.
But the task resulted in a boomerang.
He drew out huge china pipe and be-
gan smoking tobacco which was even
viler than mine, if that could be pos
sible. Soon let down the window.
Does the smoke disturb herr?' he
asked. puf..ng forth great clouds Of
smoke. There was a shade of raillery
in his tones.
1T would not" l answered, eff it
came from tobacco He subsidized.
Whenever there was a stop Of any
length, l stepped out and walked the
platform. The officer invariably fol-
lowed my example. l pondered over
this each time l re-entered the car
riage. At last my irritation turned
into wrath.
Are you aware that your actions
are very annoying?"
"How. sir?" proudly.
You stare me out of countenance,
you refrain FROM entering into CONVEX
sation and by the way you follow me
in and out of the carriage one would
say that you were watching me. All
this is not common pOlteneSS."
Herr jests." he replied with a
forced smile. "If desire not to con-
verse. that is my business. AS for
getting in and out of the carriage, have
no rights as passenger"
1t was l who subsidized. A minute
passed.
But why do you stare at me?"
asked.
y do not stare ct yon. have no
Daner and tried &C .cs. ye,sss a: a ,;is.
lance. l am willing to apologize for
fhotO