Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-07-18
t at Eidelburg toward those Of the

the court at Eidelburs toward those Of the
blood royal.
Miss Devereux. you hold the fate Of q
dynasty in your hand he said fervently.
"Or the fate Of Elfrida?" laughed WI
mona.
When she had gone the baron knew that
the colonel was right 1t was the question
of the other woman that would weigh with
her. not the fate of a dynasty.
Florenz met her in the palm corridor. AS
he came eagerly toward her she thought
how delightfully."- handsome and boyish he
was.
Il have been waiting since dinner" he
said. laying her white cloak over her
shoulders.
the peristyle and on slowly to the casino
There a faint orange glow between
the hills eastward. Before they reached
the casino the moon had risen like great
tropical blossom. The sea caught the light
hungrily, and each curving wave mirrored
q trembling miniature of the gorgeous.
flame -colored disc. The Pacific lay before
them, dark and mystical and Winona look
ed out over it half wistfully. Somewhere,
far out yonder. the sun was rising on
Eidelburg and on Elfrida. She turned her
head Florenz was watching her silently,
his blue eyes dreamy and tranquil
when do you sail for 'Frisco!
when l am tired of Palo Alto answer
| ed Florenz musngly. I'VE are expected
| home the I'D.
Who expects your
| Every one?" she repeated. softly. And
| --Elfrida.'
| He glanced at her quickly.
"Haufenstein has told you?"
lie and the colonel are worried. Some
| way she wanted to apologize for the court
ly. embarrassed little baron. They are
afraid you may forget the necessity OF the
| consideration of the responsibility of your
position"
She laughed. He murmured something
in German concerning one HaufenSten, and
stood erect before her. Eidelburg seemed
far away. The world was composed Of
boundless ocean. and orange moonlight
and certain woman, with the CLINT of the
sea in her eyes. He answered unsteadlly.
Il am not in duty bound to return wien
all my life and heart lies here
~ GU are in honor bound. Her voice was
low.
Il have not seen her since I was a boy.
1t is a cursed state affair that does not
matter"
He bent over her recklessly
"Winona. look at me. E,lfrida expects to
marry the heir-apparent 1t does not mat
ter in the least to her who the her-appar-
ent happens to be-
Winona looked away from him. There
certain masterfulncss and dignity
about this tall. blond boy that was discon
certing
Does 1t matter to the her-apparent?"
she asked. half in Jest.
His arms closed around her suddenly.
'He doesn't give rap he said.
Up among the palms at the hotel man.
dolin orchestra WAS playing q gay comic
opera air She wondered if IIaufenstein and
the colonel We're on guard. waiting for the
safe return of the prince from the brink of
the chaSm.
Il won't go back to Fideburg" There
ring of defiance in his voice. Il love
YOU and intend marrying YOU, even # III
Europe stood behind Eidelburg and said no.
Strobach and Haufenstcin shall sail alone,
and will found a new kingdom of our
own, sWcetheart.'
"A kingdom of day dreams and air
ties? She looked up at him half wistfully.
A kingdom of love. my Princess
For an instant the fat" of Edrburg tot
tered. She closed her eyes to keep back the
sight of his face and drew away from his
arms.
1T was to be only "A hirtation your high
ness viii remember" She tried to speak
lightly. He could not see her eyes nor the
tell-tale pain in them. 1T always seems so
conliCal to call You that-ynur highness- you
know. You ought to be Tom. Jack. or
something like a real boy. one forgets the
highnesS part sometimes. We had better
go back to the hotel and mother and the
poor little baron: They are playing comic
opera up there 81" followed the music
softly. There is no king but Dodo"
Sh" shook hcr head laughngly and moved
out of reach.
ION. but it is like comic opera. even to
the big orange moon and the palm gardens
ana the sea. Tier" are always those. you
know. and a prince. And you make such
a splendid onc-;t real Cinderella sort You
wouldn't do at all as Mr.. Somebody or
other, on the lookout for plain. everyday
work to support poor little Mrs. Somebody
don't you know" She laid her hand light
" on his shoulders. you must he strong
and true. and go back to 1t all. to Eideburg
and-Elfrida."
He held her hand close to his Hips
And You will forget
She looked out over the moOnlt sea and
prayed for strength to hold the citadel for
the girl who waited his coming in Eid.l-
burg.
1T IS only in them that the prince travels
in stran@" countries and marrIes any little
golden locks who happens to please him.
Really and truly. l." only lifts his hat to l.r
nowadays, and rides by to the true prin-
&c IS"
FIorcuZ was silent. His face looked white
and fun OF newborn strength that comes
a. pride and pain. Two forms shaped
themselves from the duSky shadows Of the
reltstyl" and came toward them slowly.
They Wor" iauf"usteIn and the colonel
The prince turned his back them dc!ib-
eratcl2'.
1t isl't too late yet .' he said leaning to-
ward the tai. slight 'igr,r," in white won't
YoU give M an answer, aHd forget s.V.~.-
thing in tn Wurll hut %oH ntid mo-
Niuuna smi!cd and bowed as the baron
cam" toward her au>iru~jy.
we Wor" say ia. farewell to our t;4vufito
spot in F'Ip Aiio.' -nc I.ugr4:r! ITS
. Yea t..-rs.. ,-, D.