Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1901-03-22
Y0~DA~wA'
CHAPTER Mi.

black muStache anu an imperial.
look anything like Napoleon HIT
you've hit it, Who is he:'
"They say he's Prince Ernst of Wor-
tumborg." said Hillars. but it is my |
opinion that he's the devil on a fur
lough"
Then lie is the man began.
"He is. Your love affair is all over
once he gets here. unless Dan look
ed at the sky as though he was unde-
cided about the weather.
Unless what" | asked.
"Oh, just unless" said he. I'D give
Is for glass of homemade whisky"
you've got a plan of some Sort"
said l. Speak it out"
at wasn't a plan: it was just an
idea. It's gone now. Maybe it will
come back later. Are you going TO stay
here or come with me and tackle Il bot
tie of the inukeeper's Rhine wine? The
German vinegar used to make you hila
rious."
whats the coach for?" ] asked.
Are they going to carry us off like
couple of chickens|
Il presume it is for her serene high
ness. l wonder how they found out
she was here? Probably the lieutenant
you were going to fight, but didn't. in
formed them. At any rate, the coach
will not be for us. The prince will not
bother with you and me while the
princess is here. don't know what
they will do with us. Possibly moth
ing; possibly put us in Jail. Come
along; I'm thirsty"
1t was late in the afternoon of the
day following. | had not seen her Sc
rene highness the Princess Hildegarde
Gretchen. She had remained in her
room. and all efforts of mine to hold
communication with her had proved
futile | had stood at her door and
supplcated. She had told me to go
away. The innkeeper had scowled
when | suggested that he carry note
to his mistress. He had refused
THE princess receives no notes." he
had said "Gretchen-it was a differ
ent matter"
And Hillars had slept till after noon.
1t had been q bad morning for me.
The wounded lieutenant had been car
red away the night before, and there
had not been anything for me to do
but wander about-waiting.
"Will you help me with the Rhine
wine?" asked Hillars.
mo. My head is fuddled enough as
IT is
Then you must let me do all the
talking"
''And why you?'
81 shall know better how to irritate
take any particular interest in you
when they set eyes on me. Homo sum!
l am the man they are looking for.
They will find plenty of me. | shall
be a syndicate in myself. Where they
expect to find one man they will find a
good sport
What the devil are you up to-"
demanded
"Wait and see; wait and see. Come
let us receive them in the hall. The
affair must be conducted on the line of
court etiquette. First, we shall try to
avert hostilities by the aid of diplo
macy. If that fails, the princess her
self will be made to vindicate us. And
why not?"
"You are not going to drag her in!'
exclaimed.
Tn1 nf hf
prince and the count will do that fol
u.s. You understand that she is con
cerned in all that is to take place, dc
you not? Well, then, it will cost hel
but little"
But this fellow, the prince" | cried
"Let us get out while there is time
Dan regarded me seriously.
"You aren't afraid Of him. What d.
you want to run away for? My son
there will be some very good sport be
fore this is done. You will miss it by
running away"
Its meeting the man who is tt
marry her-the woman | love. Tha
Is the reason"
"To marry her--the woman l love!
he repeated softly eyes, it is hard
But it isn't any worse for you than fo
me-"
Forgive me- Dan! You know"
Eyes, yes; know" GROSSLY. Hans
1t, can't | punch it into your heat
that | am taking all this trouble OF
your account? If it were not for you
do you suppose I'd wait? The prime,
shall never marry the princess. vii
that satisfy you? Now, look pleas
ant as the photographer says, 70
here they are"
The count entered first, then TIN
prince, who was followed by two cav
alrymen. Hillars and / stood SILENT.
by our chairs and waited. The prince
man with a hooked nose, black eye
with half shut lids, regarded me curl
Ously. He had the air Of one amused
When his eyes grew accustomed to tn
semidarliness of the room. the coun
sounded q note of satisfaction.
"Ah, so you are here? You hav
given me a devil of chase"'
II return the compliment, Herr Gen
eral," said Hillars, with good humol
ed smile. But, may ask, what tn
devil have you been chasing me forY'