The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1902-01-24

"Ah," said Wallace, with some bitter
ness, "it is hard to be without power
or money! Elsa, you have been too
kind. You have given me a wound
from which no nursing will enable me
to recover. Yet | am poor and would
not ask you to share my miserable con-
dition. In happier days may l hope
that some of the love l feel for you
will be reciprocated?
A vivid blush overspread her face.
She was about to reply when the wife
Of Volner entered. Elsa, in her confu-
sion, turned away and put her hands
to her cap, as if to arrange it. But she
touched it with too heavy hand. 1t
fell to the floor, and q mass of beauti-
full brown hair fell in lovely profusion
to her waist. 1t made a great change
in her appearance. Wallace, unmind-
full of the presence of Volner's wife,
stared, thought and started in embar-
rassed astonishment to sitting pos
ture.
"Ah, ah! Am l dreaming? he gasp
ed. "You bring to my mind the face,
"Yes," said the farmers wife, with
some energy; sit is time this farce was
played out. l know everybody means
well, but there are limits. This is
Princess Marie"
'Oh, forgive mep cried poor Wal
lace. 81 would not have spoken had 1
known. Why did you come? 1 can
ho VIII; lox
seemed an insult to you. But forget
them and forgive me. did not know"
"Of course you did not know" re-
piled the exposed princess, with a
roguish laugh. ''That would have
spoiled it all. And you thought 1 was
ungrateful all along"
''No; | did not say it," demonstrated
Wallace. "Forgive me and go back to
the castle. Let me remember you as
my pretty nurse"
''And not the Princess Marie?'
'Ah, no! There is too wide gulf
between us. AS my nurse you were
more my equal"
Tears gathered in Marie's eyes. Roy
atty sat lightly on her young shoul-
ders, yet she understood it's rights and
privileges.
"For one brief moment l rejoice In
my position and the etiquette of
courts" she said. She took his hand
in hers and looked down into his eyes
with an expression that made the blood
leap through his veins as it had not
done since he fell. GAS you say, am
a princess. While you believed ne a
simple nurse, you spoke worus OF non
est love- You have withdrawn them
since you discovered my identity. But
it was not because you had ceased to
love me, was it? 1t was because, as
the princess, you thought would not
accept the love that nurse might ac-
cept."
Eyes, yes," said the half maddened
Wallace. Il could never cease loving
you, though thousand miles kept us
apart"
''Then do not take back the words"
she said. Il have been courted by
princes and men Of power, soldiers and
diplomats. Not for myself, but be.
cause 1 was Princess Marie of Denes-
liza. 1t is sweet-oh, how sweet-to be
loved for love alone. And do you
think have learned nothing each day
we have been together? 1 have learn
ed the same lesson of love. Now you
are my patient and my prisoner.
shall write to Charles tonight"
y
The letter Wtich Marie wrote to the
castle did not surprise her brother in
the least. He had feared some such
result Of the madcap scheme of his
sister by which she wished to show her
gratitude toward the brave American.
He had taken time by the forelock and
had cabled long inquiries to his rep
resentative in America. In reply he
received short cable message and a
letter following. So it happened that
Prince Charles, two days after he got
the note from Marie, walked into Vol.
ner's house carrying a large official
looking epistle.
Il have come to offer my congratula-
tions," he said, mot to one, but both.
This affair promised something like
this, and l took the liberty to inquire
as to the standing of NJ. Wallace. In
reply l get word that he is in every
sense gentleman. Not only that, but
he has been searched for all over the
earth-eXcept in Deneslia. 1t seems his
uncle has died, leaving him heir to a
vast American fortune. Marie, your
prank has been providential in it's for
tunate ending. God bless both of you
wherever you may have your home. If
in Deneslia, palace and park shall be
yours. And l make it my only condi-
tion to your wedding that at least five
months in the year you live at Trolle."
He shook Buckford's hand, kissed
Marie and strobe out.
"Marie-princess-my love, my love-"
began Wallace, How can p
Tut! You are no longer poor. 1t is
l who must beg. You are now the
great NJ. Wallace. Shall l take back
my wordsT
No answer was needed. He held out
both his hands, and she took them.
Ibid you ever!' said Volners wife to
Volner few hours later. "That Amer
lean is getting well very fast now."
80 would l." grunted Volner, "if I
had a sweet wife and fortune waiting
for me. Let them alone. They can
take care of themselves. 1t makes me
young again."