The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1903-05-07

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II will do so at once. -
AT that moment there came a mes,
senger from the prince asking Miss
Baxter to meet him in the library. The
girl glanced up at the princess. "Have
I your permission to go?" c...e said.
The princess looked at her steadily
for moment, just the faintest suspi-
cion of frown on her fair brow.
Il do not suppose you need my per
mission" Her highness spoke with slow
deliberation. "My husband condescends
to take considerable interest in you.
Passing along the corridor this morn
ing, l heard your voices in most ami
mated conversation.
"Had you sufficient interest in our
discussion to stop and listen to what we
said Princess Won Steinheimer?"
"Ahl Now you are becoming inso-
lent, and / must ask you to consider
your engagement with me at an end. y
"Surely you will not dismiss me in
that heartless way, princess. think l
am entitled to months notice, or is
1t only week'sf"
81 will pay you years salary or
two years, if that will content you. ]
have no wish to deal harshly with you,
but desire you to leave at once, " said
the princess, who had little sense of
humor and thus thought the girl was
In earnest when she asked for notice.
Miss Baxter laughed merrily and re-
piled when she was able to control her
mirth. II do hate to leave the castle
just when things were becoming inter
esting. Still don't suppose l shall need
to 60 away in spite of your dismissal,
for the prince this morning offered me
ten times the amount Of money you are
paying
"Did her.
"Be assured he did. If you don't be-
lieve me, ask him. I told him he was
fool but, alas. we live in cynical age,
and few men believe all they hear, SO
fear my expression of opinion made lit
tie impression on him.
81 shall not keep you longer from his
highness, said the princess. with freez-
ing dignity.
"Thank you SO much. am just dy-
ing to meet him, for / know he has
something most interesting to tell me.
Don't you think yourself, princess, that
man acts rather like fool when he is
deeply in lover
To this there was no reply, and the
princess left the room. Miss Jennie
jumped to her feet and almost ran to
the library. She found the prince walk
ing up and down the long room with a
telegraph message in his hand.
''You are most wonderful young
woman" he said "read that"
81 have been told so by more observ-
ing men than you, Prince Won Steinhei-
mer,' said the girl. taking the tele-
gram. It was from the manager of the
bank in Vienna, and it ram Especial
messenger leaves with package by the
Meran express tonight
"Just as thought, said Miss JeD-
ME. 1.-The diamonds never left the bank.
suppose those idiots of servants which
the princess has round her didn't know
what they took away from Vienna and
what they left. Then, when the dia-
monds were missing they completely
lost their heads-not that any one in
the castle has much wits to spare.
never saw such an incompetent lot"
The prince laughed.
"You think, perhaps, have not wits
enough to see that my wife cares for
me, Is that it? Is that why you gave
me my own letters p
"Oh, you are we'll mated The prin-
cess now does me the honor of being
jealous Of me. Think Of that AS if it
were possible that l should take any in.
terest in you, for l have seen real men
in my time.
The prince regarded her with his most
b'vere expression.
"Are you not flattering yourself
somewhat, young lady3"
ooh, dear, mol l take it as the reverse
OF flattering to be supposed that l have
any liking for such a ninny as you are.
Flattering indeed And she has haughti-
ly dismissed me, If you please"
1.-THE princess has9 What have you
been saying to herr
| ooh, made the most innocent re-
mark, and it was the truth too, which
shows that honesty is not always the
best policy. l merely told her that you
had offered me ten times the amount of
money she Is paying me. You needn't
jump as If somebody had shot off gun
at your ear. You know you did make
such an cffer."
"You COMPOUNDED little mischief
uiakerr' cried the prince in anger
did you tell her what it was for p
''No. She did not ask.
II will thank you to apply the clev-
erness you seem to possess to the undo
Ing of the harm You have 30 light
heartedly caused
| ''How can II l am ordered to leave
tonight, when did so wish to stay and
see the diamond denouement.
| 'You are not going tonight. / shall
speak to the princess about 1t If that
should be necessary. Your mention Of
the diamonds reminds me that my re.
spected father-in-law. Mr.. Briggs. in.
| forms me that celebrated detective.
Il