Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-06

II.
| At 3 o'clock in the morning they were
out again AS the sun rose, the Whole Worlo
seemed to swim in golden light. The spires
were bathed in rose-color, the trees were
shimmering green, and the dew-washed
roofs were opalescent beneath the trans
| figuring rays.
| "A fairy city for my princess thought
Hamilton whimsically.
| The lady of the violets opened the door
before Hamilton could ring.
Come in she commanded and led them
to a back room lighted by a pink-shaded
lamp. Then Hamilton saw her face. He
had been prepared for beauty-for are not
all princesses like those of the fairy tales?
But he had not thought to find such youth
full loveliness.
II can trust YOU she said; but he
caught the CULVER of fear in her voice.
You have trusted me-" he said gently,
land am here because of that trust
The earnest force of his manner seemed
to sweep away her doubts. She put out
toward him two fluttering hands.
Then Hamilton, modern, cynical did
strange thing. He dropped on one knee and
carried the appealing hands to his lips,
Let me serve you,' he cried, my
She drew back from him with terror in
her eyes.
How did you know?' she stammered.
How did you know was a princess?
Il saw FurSt and the others, said Ham
ilton. and told his story; and when he had
finished she told her own.
did they tell YOU" she said, that they
intended to force me to marry the prince of
another provfnce-my cousin-to a man al
ready morganatically allied to a woman
he loves. To force me, who have breathed
the breath of freedom in the forests-to
shut me up in a dreary castle, loveless ana
uulOVpd? | could not stand 1t ana ran
away"
"Alone?"
mo. 1 made Miss Guthrie my American can
governess. come with me. She loves me,
and 1 love her, but after We reached here
we could plan nothing. think she grew
afraid and this morning she has gone TO
me to go back to my kingdom; that is why
1 appealed to you. 1 won't go back.
won't go back
you shall not" said Hamilton, earnestly.
He unfolded a plan that had matured IN
the quiet hours of the morning.
"In the lumber regions of the north,' he
said. Il have a house-rude outside, but
comfortable within. For neighbors there
are an old lumberman and his wife. In the
winter l stay here in town, but when the
summer comes l live there alone, with the
birds and the little wild beasts. / fish and
hunt. and when I get tired of it all l come
back to civilization-neve for long. how
ever. l can't breathe well in the city" And
he expanded his broad chest with mighty
sigh.
Il know. 1 know she said, with quick
sympathy.
IF could take you there he said, they
could never find you"
Let US go at once she said, and began
to gather up her belongings feverishly.
Thus 1t came about that late that night
a tall man and a slight boy, the latter clad
in long rain coat that reached to his
heels. ran up the steps Of the south-bound
sleeper
I'VE will go SOUTH" Hamilton had ex-
planned. then will make loop to the
north. They will not care to make public
inquiries. and so can escape them
1t was Crook who gave them away, how
ever. Hamilton had turned him over re-
luctant and mournful to the baggage man,
and he was being led down the platform.
when the runaways, watching from the
sleeper window, heard the excited whisper:
It's the dog, Furst."
The princess. forgetting her disguise,
covered back in her seat.
They have found me-" she shivered.
Go and stand on the back platform of
the observation car. and smoke a cigar
ette," he commanded, and handed the prin-
cess his case and match box.
But" eXpostulated the astonished prin-
cess.
Go" he repeated. and she went, and
when the three excited foreigners came
through the train they glanced only once
at the slender lad, who, with his collar
pulled up about his ears, was smoking nom
chalantly as he looked out upon the pelting
rain.
They are not here" said Furst, almost
touching elbows with the boy.
Just then the gong sounded and through
the train came the first culver of move
nient.
Eve must get out" said the dark man,
and they rushed to the steps of the sleeper,
where they bumped into Hamilton looming
tall and unconcerned in the door.
YOU said Furst, joyfully. Then he
spoke quickly to his companions Il will
stay on and follow him. 1 can wire from
the next station"
The two older men stepped from the train
and Furst leaned over to wave to them.
Then Hamilton's arm shot out, and with
wonderful strength he lifted the little man
down and out and swung himself back on
| the platform as the train got on her speed
| and rushed out of the depot.
Then he went swiftly to the observation
car and helped white-faced boy back
| into the sleeper.
Courage" he whispered, as he took a
| flask from his bag; courage, little princess.
| Here's to safe journey and a short one"
and he poured the golden liquor into the
cup.
The journey that carried them to the far
north however, was a long and weary one,
but at last they rode together through the
| wide green aisles OF the virgin forest. Be-
| hind them Crook trotted, making side runs
now and then into the tempting under
| brush. There was no sound but the soft
| calls of the birds and the pad-pad of the
horses feet on the grass.
| Still clad as a boy, the princess dropped
| YEARLY as she rode. Her cap was off and
| her hair tumbled over her shoulders in a
/ mass of shining curls.
"And this is to be my home" she said, as
| her eyes took in the glories of the wood
| land, my beautiful home
4 n M cafd 10 Inn