The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1903-05-14

almost sure to do, would doubtless be
regarded as an objectionable liberty
AS she swayed gently back and forth
in the gaudy rocking chair she thought
Of confessing everything to the princess
and asking her assistance; but, ponder
ing on this, she saw that 1t was stalking
everything Oh enc throw Of the dice. II
the princess refused, then the scheme
became impossible, as that lady herself
would answer the letter and decline the
invitation. Jennie soothed her accus-
ing conscience by telling herself that
this impersonation would do no harm
to Princess Won Steinheimer or to any
one else. for that matter, while it would
be of inestimable assistance to her own
I journalistic career. From that she drift
ed to meditation on the inequalities Of
this life, the superabundance which
some possess, while others, no less de-
serving, have difficulty in obtaining the
scant necessities. And, this consoling
train Of thought having fixed her re-
solve to take the goods the gods scat
tered at her feet, or rather threw into
her lap, she drew long sigh Of deter
mination as there came gentle tap at
the door Of her room and the voice Of
the princess herself said. "May l come
| inP"
Jennie, a rapid blush flaming her
cheeks. sprang to her feet, flung the let
tiers on table and opened the door.
The visitor entered, locking charm
ing enough to be prime Of fairyland,
and greeted Miss Baxter NEST cordially
II am SO sorry you are leaving, she
said. Cannot you be persuaded to
change your mind and stay with me :
Where could you find more lovely
view than that from your balcony
here'"
cor more lovely hostess9' said the
girl, looking at her visitor with undis
guised admiration and quite ignoring
the view.
The princess laughed, and as they
now stood together on the balcony she
put out her hands, pushed Jennie gently
into the rocking chair again. seating
herself jauntily on its broad arm, and
thus the two looked like pair Of mis-
chievous schoolgirls, home at vacation.
thoroughly enjoying their liberty.
"There Now your are my prisoner,
about to be punished for fattery," cried
the princess. II saw by the motion of
the chair that you had just jumped up
from it when disturbed you, so there
you are back in it again. What were
you thinking about2 A rocking chair
lends itself deliciously to meditation.
and we always think of some one very
particular as we rock"
81 am no exception to the rule,
sighed Jennie. 81 was thinking Of you
princess.
"How nice Of you to say that, and, as
one good turn deserves another. here is
proof that certain young lady has been
in my thoughts. -
AS she spoke the princess took from
her pocket an embossed case Of Russia
leather, opened it and displayed string
of diamonds lustrous as drops Of liquid
light.
~ want you to wear these stones in
remembrance Of our diamond mystery
also confess that l want you to think
Of me every time You put them on. See
how conceited ami One does not like
to be forgotten that is why chose dia-
monds.
Jennie took the string, her own eyes
for moment rivaling in brilliancy the
sparkle of the gems; then the moisture
oh ro1 81 hn
ally poured the stones from one hand
to the other, as If their scintillating
glitter hypnotized her. She tried once
or twice to speak, but could not be sure
of her voice, 30 remained silent. The
princess, noticing her agitation. gently
lifted the necklace and clasped it round
the girls white throat, chattering all
the while with nervous haste.
"Therel You can wear diamonds,
and there are SO many to whom they
are unbecoming l also look we'll in
diamonds; at least SO I've been told
over and over again, and I've come to
believe it at last. suppose the young
men have not concealed from you the
fact that you are strikingly good
looking girl, Jennie. Indeed, and this
is brag, If you like. we two resemble
one another enough to be sisters, nearly
the same height, the same color Of eyes
and hair. Come to the mirror, Miss
Handsomeness, and admire yourself.
She dragged Jennie to her feet and
drew her into the room, placing her
triumphantly before the great looking
glass that reflected back full length
portrait.
''Now confess that you never saw
prettier girl, cried the princess glee-
fully.
II don't think I ever did," admitted
Jennie, but she was looking at the
image of the princess and not at her
own. The princess laughed, but Miss
Baxter seemed too much affected by the
unexpected present to join in the merri.
ment. She regarded herself solemnly in
the glass for a few moments, then
slowly undid the clasp, and. slipping
the string Of brilliants from her neck.
handed them back to the princess
"You are very, very kind. but can.