Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1904-10-19
HER Il!GIINESS
lOriginal.1

Some forty years ago an American
who had made fortune in organizin:
wrecked railroads appeared at Bader
Baden. Germany. Baden Baden a
that time was what Monte Carlo |,
now, the gambling resort for all Eu
rope. The American, Benedict Wuf
fies, was In fact smart fellow. He
had unlimited means, with which ht
set TO work to break the bank al
Baden Baden. and 1t was not long be
fore he found the secret Of how to dc
so. His play soon attracted universal
attention, and his operations were
watched intently by every one present
till lie had accomplished his object
Then Mr.. Wuffles suddenly sank into Il
condition of ennui, awaiting some 9th
er point Of attack for his tremendous
brain.
One morning he was sitting on a
bench in the grounds where the casino
stood, when lady with her maid
came and sat on a nelghboring bench.
The women spoke In the French Ian
guage, and Mr.. Wufiles did not under
stand what they said. but there was
one word he had learned while gaping
at royalty In Paris, the prefix high
ness" or "altesse," in French. Wufiies
noticed that the lady's maid constantly
addressed her as "altesse." The first
time she did so Wuffles pricked up his
ears. The second time he moved rest
lessly in his seat. and after that he got
up and walked before the lady in or
der to observe her face. He saw a
very beautiful woman. Then he sat
down again. Presently her highness
arose and moved away. leaving her
on the bench. Wuflies
seized 1t and followed her, appearing
suddenly ~ her side holding his hat
IN one hand and in the other the hand
1erchef.
"Oh. monsieur" exclaimed the lady
md followed UP the exclamation by
-attling OFF lot Of Preach.
Il don't understand, altesse. / don't
speak French. am an american"
"Oh, see replied the lady in bro
Ken English. Il am much obliged for
ny handkerchief, but | am troubled
hat you should know my rank. | am
travelling incognitO."
Well, TO make long story short, the
ady turned out TO be the Princess Ma
lie Ernestina Amelia Wilhelmina Of
sake Weimar- Holstein - that Is, she
vas the princess to Wuffics and her
maid, though to all else at Baden she
vas plain Fraulein Won Witzenburg.
he was stopping at hotel, but soon
ftcr Wuii'cs met her rented for Il
Month small furnished villa. She had
lcard of Wui;ics' coup at the casino,
nd, all Europeans being either gam
lers or Interested in gamblers, she
OnccNed Il great admiration for the
american. She invited Wufiies TO her
lila. and WHITES plumed himself in
he anticipation Of love affair, but
he soon showed him that, although |
lie permitted him to call on her, she |
i'll not forget the difference in their |
INK. An attendant Of some sort was
ways present ut their meetings.
Her highness desired to know Wuf
es' method of breaking the bank, and
e tried to explain It to her, but she
ouldn't understand 1t, and, to tell tho
nth, the success was largely due to
is unlimited means, which he knew
Y instinct how to handle.
You shall break the bank again"
lid tile princess. Il will be there to
,e, and after 1t is all over you shall
,me to sup with me, and we will cele
rate the event"
WufIics agreed. and the next evening
2 appeared at the gambling tables,
lille the princess sat behind watching
IN. lie would bet on one card. losing,
I'd continue to bet without change on
Ie same card. doubling the amount,
II he won. This was all Of his plan
at was apparent, the rest Of 1t being
lsed on certain mental calculations Of
Nevertheless he seemed
nfdent that he would break the bank
I'd did so about O'Clock in the morn
z. He stuffed his winnings in his
'ckets. The princess slipped her little
md within his arm and led him to
n carriage. In ten minutes they
ere in her supper room before table
nded with delicacies. Two or three
quaintances were also present for
oprlety's sake.
Wufies was in glory. Once he forgot
e difference in rank between himself |
ID his hostess and squeezed her hand,
It was sharply recalled to himself by
hauteur that chilled him to the mar
W. I
Pardon me, your highness," he said.
forget myself" [
The princess smiled kindly and in I
Ken Of her forgiveness offered him 6
r own unfinished glass of wine. s
uflles drank it off In an ecstasy. -,
The next thing Wufiles knew 1t was
,rning He was I'm bed, and a man
Is standing over him with paper in r
! hand. 1t proved to be an unpaid d
for rent for the villa. made out in ,
name. /
But where is He must not give q
the princess and hesltated. =
oh, they've gone. The woman took @
, house IL your name. She said size n
8 your wife, but knew better than -
It. She's been here before" -
Vufiies stared at the man a few mo- r
nts. Then it rushed upon him that
had been "donc." But he was good
t, and his pride kept him up.
All right" he said. "Tll pay" ri
Ie knew well enough that his Win q
gs Of the night before were gone .,
did not look for them. Instead. he u
the man to come to his hotel later Il
and he would receive his money. h
ore Wuiiles left the villa he had =,
, agreed to pay for the supplies "t!c h
lcess" was indebted for-shc had .,