Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1901-02-27
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| has returned. Now, then, innkeeper,
| come with me-"
"With you. and wherew asked the
innkeeper. If there was one thing for
which he could not account, 1t was the
presence Of Hillars at the inn.
"Never mind where, but come" an
swered Hillars gayly. He bent and
whispered something into the old fel
lows ear. 1t was something which
pleased him. for he screwed his lips
into a smile and took the white hand
Of the whisperer in his brawny fist and
nigh crushed 1t.
"Well, we'll! 1t doesn't matter where
you came from. Here, you" to the
| trio behind him. "go back to the sta
bles." They filed out. Then the inn
keeper took Hillars by the arm. "Come
along: time passes"
"And where are you goingT" asked
anxiously. Eilears should not have
passed from my sight but for Gretchen.
"We'll be back shortly" he answer
ed. "You will know all about 1t then.
my son."
he stood on the sill Of the door, a
handsome picture. His gray eyes SPAR
kled, his face was full Of excitement
and there was a color in his cheeks.
There was no sign here Of the dissipat-
ed man Of the nigl before. 1t was
Hillars as I had seen him in the old
DAYS. But for his nineteenth century
garb he nigh. have just stepped down
from a frame-a gallant by Fortuny.
who loved the awakened animal in
man. The poise was careless. but grace
full, and the smile was debonair. His
eyes were holding Gretchen's. A mo-
ment passed, another and another:
then. "Long live and God bless her Sc
rene highness the Princess Hide
gardcw And he was gone.
And as he disappeared a shadow of
some sort passed before my eyes, and
something dull and heavy pressed
upon my heart. Presently came the
sound of beating hoofs. and then all
became still.
Gretchen and 1 were alone. Gret-
chen appeared to be studying the blue
veins in her hands which she listlessly
held before her. An interval Of three
or four minutes passed; still she re-
mained in that pathetic attitude, silent
and motionless.
"Gretchen," said L. "have you moth
ing to say?"
EYES," Her eyes raised to the level
Of mine, and saw that they were
deep in tears Herr. l shall say to
YOU that which | have never said to
any man and that which I shall never
say to any man again. | may say 1t
now because it is sinlesS love you!
l love you. and. loving you, God knows
what the future without you shall be.
Yes, l love you. Take me once in
your arms and kiss me and let me 60
forever"
Then, with a smile which partly
shielded a sob. her arms went around
my neck and her face lay close to
mine. Heaven knows which was the
greater, the JOY or the pain.
"Gretchen, think" | cried distract.
edly. what is a prince or a king to
you and me. who love?
"There is honor" gently. She caress-
ed my cheek with her fingers.
Honor I cried vehemently. "Is
it honorable to marry the man you do
not love and break the heart of the
one you do?''
She did not answer. but her arms
fell from my neck, and she approach
ed the window. The passing river was
reflected in her eyes. Her reverie was
a short one.
Listen. herr. l will tell you why
it Is honorable. The prince and the
king? fear the one as little rs | do
the other. 1t is not the prince. it is not
the king, it is not the principality.
Herr, | have come near to being
very wicked woman. who was about
to break the most sacred promise a
sovereign can make. Before | came
here a delegation of my people ap.
preached me. On bended knees they
asked me not to voluntarily return the
principality to the king. who was like
ly to give them a ruler rapaciouS or
cruel or Indifferent. And. while they
understood what Il sacrifice ii meant
to me. they asked me to bend my will
to the kings and wed the prince, VOW.
ing that | alone should be recognized
as their sovereign ruler. Since my coro'
nation they said that they had known
the first happiness in years. Herr, it
| was so pathetic! love my people.
who after all, are not adopted. since
was born here. So gave my prom
ise. and. heaven forgive me. | was
about to break 1t!
"There are some things. herr. which
the publican does not understand. One
Of these IS the duty sovereign owes
to the people. The woman in me
wishes to follow your fortunes, though
they carry her to the ends of the
world, hut the sovereign sees but one
path-honor and duty. What is one
human heart to q hundred thousand?
A grain Of sand. Herr. let mine be
broken. I shall not murmur. Alas, to
De prlnceSS. puppet Ill ILLS llhSe'
show of kings and queens! 1t Is my
word and the kings will which have
made my happiness an impossibility.
Though I love you. wish never to see
you again. | shall be wife but In
name. yet may not have lover.
am not woman of the court. | am
proud Of my honor. though the man
who is to be my husband doubts that"
"No. Gretchen" said !, "he does not
doubt It. but he wishes me to do so.
believe in your innocence as | believe
In your love"