The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1901-03-28
CHAPTER XXI.
: Copyright, 1900,
:: By Harold acGrath.


was very unhappy. Three days
passed. and l saw neither Phyllis nor
Gretchen. The city was still talking
about the dramatic ending of Prince
Ernst's engagement to the Princess
Hildegarde. Twice l had called at the
Hohenphalian residence to pay my re-
spects. Once l was told that their
highnesses were at the palace. The sec
ond time l was Informed that their
highnesses were indisposed. I became
gloomy and disheartened. l could not
understand. Gretchen had not even
thanked me for my efforts in saving
her the unhappiness of marrying the
prince. And Phyllis. she who had call
ed me "Jack." she whom had watch
ed grow from girlhood to womanhood,
she, too, had forsaken me. l do not
know what would have become of me
but for Pembroke's cheerfulness.
Monday night l was sitting before
the crate reading for the hundredth
time Gretchens only letter. Pembroke
was buried behind the covers Of mag
azine. Suddenly a yellow flame leaped
from a pine log, and in it seemed to
read all. Gretchen was proud and jeal-
Gus. She believed that loved Phyllis
and had made her princess because
loved her. 1t was the first time l had
laughed in many an hour. Pembroke
looked over his magazine.
THAT sounds good. What caused it?'
"A story" l answered. "Some day
shall tell you all about it. If you will
excuse me, cousin mine. I'll make a
call on her serene highness the Prin-
cess Hildegarde."
Just then the door opened and Penn
broke's valet came in. He handed a
card to me, and read upon it, "Count
Won Walden" cast it into Pembroke's
lap.
That's the man. He is the insep-
arabic of the Prince Of Wortumborg."
Then to the valet, SHOW him up"
The count gravely passed over the
threshold.
Good evening"" he said. with look
Of inquiry at Pembroke.
''This gentleman" said l as l intro
duced him, will second me in the af-
fair tomorrow morning. l suppose you
have come to make the final arrange
mentS?"
pardon me-" began Pembroke, "but
/ do not underestimate
ooh, forgot! You are" l respond
ed, "to be my second in a duel tomor-
row morning. Should anything hap
pen to me it were we'll to have a friend
near by, better still a relative. Well,
countY
"The prince desires me to inform you
that he has selected pistols at your re-
quest. and despite the fact that he has
only the use Of his left hand he per-
mits you to use either of yours. There
will be one shot each. the firing to be
drawn for on the grounds. The time
is 6, the place one mile out on the
north road in the rear of the Strass-
burg inn. l trust this is entirely sat
isfactory to you?"
at is" l answered.
''Then allow me to bid you good
night" He bowed and backed toward
the door. He remained moment with
his hand on the knob. gazing into my
eyes. l read in his a mixture Of
amusement and curiosity. "Good
night" And he was gone.
Pembroke stared at me in bewilder-
ment. "What the devil"-
ut is a matter Of long standing"
said I. Y j.:
"But a duelw he cried impatiently.
~Hang me if I'll be your second or let
you fight! These are not the days of
Richelieu. 1t is pure murder. 1t is
against the law"
But l cannot draw back honorably,"
/ said. 81 cannot"
"Tl notify the police and have them
stop it," he said. with determination.
"And have US all arrested and laugh
ed at from one end of the continent to
the other. My dear cousin, that man
shot the dearest friend had in the
world. l am going to- try to kill him at
the risk of getting killed myself. He
has also insulted the noblest woman
that ever lived. If l backed down, I
should be called a coward. The peo-
PIE who respect me now would close
their doors in my face"
buC you nave everything 10 lose,
and he has nothing to GAIN"
ut cannot be helped" said l. 'The
woman l love once fought duel for
me. l cannot do less for her. You will
be my seconds?
Eyes. But if he wounds you woe to
him." ..1,-.,. ...
Every well. I'll leave you," said l.
1t was not far to the residence Of
their highnesses, SO l walked. ~
The liveried footman took my card.
present it to her highness the Prfn-
cess Hildegarde," said as passed in
to the hall.
"Her serene highness has left town,
believe, your excellency. Her serene
highness the Princess Elizabeth is din
ing at the palace" - % - - . -.
"GoneY' said l. .r.-. >,.,.r ,rs-Hyr., x
Eyes, your excellency:" He examined
my card closely. "Ah, allow me to de-
liver this note to you, which her serene
highness directed me to do should you
call" 81. a. y re'fHtlE'~
My hands shook as I accepted the
missive. and the lights began to waver.
I passed out into the cold air. Gone?
And whv2 I walknd hack Tn fhn r0fIY1s