New-York tribune., 1902-12-21

vide corridor toward the sound of the music.
Ihere must have been some long room running
parallel with the corridor for as he went he was
unable to avoid hearing the conversation of two
people who We're clearly walking up and down
on the other side of the partition wall.
The Prince of Sarmat-Detburg has arrived"
one was saying Il have it from the janitor.
Walking, if you can believe it,"
Hes madr' said the other
Not so mad as Captain Lippelschrm
VIII be, retorted the first, with laugh. Il
never saw so devoted He looks whole
dance of the fair Gretchen. And madam is III
the deuce Of a worry. She expects her dear
prince to be devoured as soon as he appears"
You think there viii he trouble them"
Unless the prince is meeker than any worm.
One can hardly tell. He is an unknown guam
uty-uncommonly1nad,o one would say, from his
methods of conducting his courtship. yes, he
has madams blessing, ne doubt"
And Gretchen"
20, Gretchen will bless whom she pleases
do not think she is quite pleased to be cut off
and barricaded by Won Lippelschirm. But she
likes a brave man, and If the prince is that
one Will see"
Their voices died away as Hessington moved
down the passage. And while he was puZzling
at their meaning a curtain swung apart on
sudden, some functionary inquired his name,
and he was ushered into great hall:
Herr Hessingtoni'
Hundreds of candles lighted it. and the glare
| of them caught his eyes for moment. so that
he saw nothing and heard only the hum of
| voices between the sweet wailings of vions.
Then he became aware of a stout. unmasked
| lady. who had extended her hand to him, and
was directing his attention to some of the
Herr r-Hessfngton-i it not? You will know
how to find partners? Frauein Gretchen is
| yonder.''
Thank you,' said Hessington.
| He was moderately acquainted with the eti-
quette of German public balls. and trusted. as
/ he pressed forward. that the masks would ex-
! cuse the rest He introduced himself to the
/ first likely lady he saw. and started into
waltz. Now and again he caught sight of the
girl whom he had had pointed as Friulen
] golden aJ dancing
beauIifUlly-Gretchen. Princess Lovely
Locks. FOR all he cared. hut evidently the belle
! Of the evening: well guarded by trucuent
/ looking, hurly oficer-if trucuIenCc could he
/ predcated of masked man. Hessngton won
dered what the mad prince was doing. and the
humor took hlm-When he had deposited his
/ partner in safe place-to see if he could not
cut out for a little both the prince and the cap
! tain. 1t with that object that he ad-
| vanced to the girls side as soon as he saw her
! for moment abandoned by her cavalier. and
requested the favor Of a dance. She agreed
without hesitation, locking at him a little cuff
| ouSly- 1t struck HesSingtCn he glided round
! finding that she danced divinely that several
| people were regarding him curiouSly. Why he
could not imagine
That beautiful" said the girl as she
sank down on a chair at The end of the dance
! Perfect" said Hessington, promptly. May
| ] have the next
You really want to" she queried
| Why should j not?'
| Il fancy that | have almost promised IL TO
Captain Won LippeIschrm.'
But he has had so many said Hessington
|
He must almost have conveyed real jealousy
| in his tone, for she laughed a satisfied little
! laugh she yielded him her arm at the striking
4 up Of the musicians.
''Ah, but you had not come" she said.
"Mein GottI''
| Hessington turned at the exclamation to find
| the burly officer in front of him. Offering stiff
podgy arm to the girl.
| My dance. 1 believe he said In surIy
voice
'T am afraid" said Hessington serenely, -you
are mistaken, sir. Fraulein Gretchen is engaged
| for this dance"
ITO whom"
ITO me-
TT is incredible" said the captain, laughing
insolently. Remove yourself, sir!''
Instead, HeSSlngton removed the captain with
a shove that surprised him into gaping speech
lessness. and left a way open into the dance.
| Next moment he was steering the girl through
| the midst of the dancers with an even greater
! pleasure than before. He could see the captain
! gather himself together and stamp off toward
/ the door, and people watching himself and
! frightened
He will challenge you when this dance is
| over Are you good with the sabre?'
Moderately"
! And you think that it was worth it?"
| What Hessington said then he could not after
ward remember. The fortunes of the night had
! mounted to his brain and intoxicated him, nor
| could he recall what she answered what fol-
| lowed next. He vaguely recollected that he ac-
| repted Captain LippelSchirmS challenge to
| fight a duel with sabreS, and the services as
| second of a tall masked MephiStopheles, who
! presented himself briefly and gravcly. This part
| Of tbe business was conducted in ad-
/ posed a speedy adjournment to settle the mat