The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1904-07-15

am Princess Louise of Altenburg,
and this is my daughter, Princess Mary
who Wor!d like you to give her lessons
While we are here.
'Of course | replied that l felt great
lE honored and should do my very best
to give satisfaction.
Princess Mary, a beautiful young
girl of twenty, in the most cordial way
told me how she had enjoyed my con-
certs. and it was arranged that I
should call three times a week, for
which l was to receive a price which
was rather lower than what l used
to get. l did not know then that the
princess was very poor-in fact. had
hardly any income at all.
Il found in Princess Mary a violinist
of unusual talent, and soon thoroughly
enjoyed the lessons, and as the older
princess very often was suffering with
migraine and left us alone, we We're
| soon like old friends.
But playing duets with a young,
sweet girl is dangerous when you are
only twenty-three, even if she happens
to be a princess, and | soon became
aware that what l felt for her was
more than friendship. My love for her
was returned-of that l felt sure,
though no word was ever spoken be-
tween us Her eyes could no more lie
than mine.
The summer passed only too quickly,
and l noticed that the princess grew
more and more sad though she never
told me why.
''One afternoon as we were playing
her mother came in and told me that
our duets would have to stop, as she
and her daughter We're going to leave.
She handed me an envelope containing
my salary and letter of introduction
to Count Harden. the German ambas-
sador which later proved of great
value to me. She thanked me heartily
for what had done for Princess Mary,
| and told me that she was sorry that we
| had to part.
AS 1 came outside, Princess Mary met
| me in the garden and l thought l saw
tears in her beautiful eyes. She took
| my hand and slipped simple ring with
| a black pearl.
Take this ring. Monsieur Palma, in
memory of a sincere friend" was all
she could say before she rushed into the
| house.
Two weeks later her engagement to
| the grand duke of Geroldstein was an
nounced.
Fifteen years passed. and I had
! gained name for myself, when gave
a concert at Gero!dstein. which was
honored by the presence Of the grand
! duke and duchess.
AS was sitting in my apartments the
| next Qay a messenger from the court
/ brought me letter from the grand
/ duchess, who wanted to see me In the
| afternoon. l was received in private
| audience by her highness, and found
| her the same sweet hammered woman
] as at Schweningen, fifteen years before,
| but hardly would have recognized her
again. Her black hair was already be-
4 ginning to show silver threads, and her
manner and expression were so sad that
| it made tears come into my eyes. Her
eyes sought and found the black pearl
! ring which was still where she put it
herself, years ago.
Monsieur Palma" she said softly,
| you have not forgotten me; I knew
| you would not. But give me back my
! ring. 1t has brought you happiness, 1
/ hope, as wished it would. To me hap
/ piness is a stranger, but if you give it
i back it may still bring me some. In
return 1 will give you a sign of my un-
! happiness"
She took the ring. which held out to
1 her and babe me goodby.
In the evening a chamberlain brought
! me small box. 1t contained the Grand
Cross OF the B,ue Eagle and card
| with the words
"a cross is all have to give.
Mary"
] looked at my friend. A tear