Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1901-01-25
By Harold MacGrath =

iul shots 3nl NNofuNliltn on TIE CONT
nent and that IL had any particular
regard for my epidtrmiS | would cease
niy attendance on the princess at once.
THIS OF course made me more attentive
than ever. for can hold my own with
any man when il comes to pistols, ami
| can handle the raplcr with some sue
cess.
II was one night ut the opera that
the climax was brought about. sat
in one of the stalls d!agonally across
from the royal box where she sat. She
saw ne and gave me the barest nod of
recognition. Perhaps she did not wish
To attract the attention of the royal
pcrsonages who sat with her. for the
nod struck me as clandcStine. Between
the first and second acts Il note was
handed to me. Ii was not addressed,
neither was it signed. But it was f1r
me. The bearer spoke my name. As
near as | can remember the note CON
tanned these words:
a carriage will await you two
blocks south. 1t will be without lights.
You will enter it exactly ten minutes
after the opera is ended
That was all. but il was enough.
When | returned to my seat. | found
the princess gazing intently at me. |
made an affirmative gesture ana was
rewarded with smile which set my
blood to rushing | made little out Of
the last act. could not dream what
the anonymous note had behind il. |
suspicioned an intrigue, but what use
had she for me. an American, Il very
nobody? Something unusual was about
to take place. and was to he Il wit
ness or participant of it. That was
as far as my talent for logical dcduc-
ton went. Promptly at the stated
time stood ut the side of the carriage.
1t was the plainest sort of an affair.
Evidently it Lad been hired for the oc-
casion. The door opened.
step in. monsieur" said low voice
in French. l obeyed. The horse start
ed. AS we spun along the pavement n
light flashed into the window. The
princess sat before me. There was Il
ringing in my ears, and breathed
quickly. But said no word. 1t was
for her to speak first.
Monsieur is an American" she be-
gan. The American is of a chlvalric
race"
"That should be the aim of all men,"
Ircplcd.
But it is not so. Monsieur. ! Lave
been studying you for the past week.
Tonight place my honor and my fame
in your hands. 1t is for you to prove
that you are knight. | trust you.
When | have said what | shall say to
you. you may withdraw or give me
your aid, as you please"
Il am grateful for your confidence,
your highness." said |. what is it
that you wish me to do
Have patience, monsieur, till the
ride is done" she said. do not speak
again till permit you. | must think"
The journey was accomplished in
half an hour.
cit is here. monsieur. that we alight,"
she said rs the carriage stopped.
| was glad that her opera cloak was
of dark material and that she wore
veil
The building before which we stood
was on the outskirts of the city. Far
away to my left | could see the flicker
ing lights OF the palaces. A yellowish
haze hung over ALL Once within the
building l noted with surprise the lux
urious appointments. Plainly it was
no common inn, a resort for the middle
and travelling classes. Whether it was
patronized by the nobility l could only
surmise.
I'VE shall continue to speak in
French" she said as she threw back
her cloak and lifted her veil. Mon
sieur has probably heard that the Prin-
cess Hildegarde is a creature of eX-
travagant caprices, and he expects an
escapade."
"Your highness wrongs me- | pro-
tested. 81 am an obscure American
Your highness does not share your
that is
| stopped, not wishing to give the
term escapade to anything she might
do. AS a matter of fact she has caus-
ed her royal guardian, the king. no end
of trouble. She went to Paris once I'M
attended. At another time she roamed
around Heidelberg and slashed fenc-
ing master. She had donned stu
dents garb. She is said to be the finest
swordSw0man on the continent. Yet
notwithstanding her caprices she is
noble minded woman. She does all
these things called social vagaries be-
cause she has fine scorn for the in
nate hypocrisy of the social organiZa-
ton of this country. She loves free
dom not wisely, but too well. To go
on:
Monsieur wrongs me Also she said
''1n what are termed my escapades |
am alone. You appealed to me-" with
a directness which amazed me. be
cause of your handsome face, your ele-
CANT form, your bright eyes. You are
man who loves adventure which has
the spice of danger in it. My country
mem She crooked one of her bare
shoulders, which shone like yellow ivo-
~ in the subdued light. This rank flat
terry cooled me. A woman who has any
regard for man is not likely to tiatter
him in respect to his looks on so short
ana slight an acquaintance. Mon
sleur," she proceeded this is to be nc
escapade, no caprice. ask your aid
as desperate woman. At lrt | can
md no one to succor me save at the
peril Of that which is dearer TO me
than my life. Among the commoners
who would dare? An Englishman? 1t
S too much trouble. A Frenchman? |
would trust him not quite so far as the
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