Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-02-04

| Most wise persons she cried with a
mecking bow toward the workmeia. Now
we shall have to find carriage
There is hamlet through the WOODS
he suggested. Eve shall have to waihs
She turned in mute answer. The moon
had risen in a cloudless sky, lighting even
the dim aisles of the forest. The way was
| clearly shown and the princess. her poise
regained, was inclined to look upon the ad-
venture more pleasantly.
A deer. frightened by the unwonted noise,
rushed past them, crashing through the UNI
derbrush With cry the princess caught
Jacks arm.
II am afraid, Jacques" she whispered
"but not now" she added. as she slipped
her hand down his arm and placed her fin
gers conddingly within his palm.
Like two children they pushed ahead,
hand in hand. That cry of Jacques,
echoed in his ears liks the reverberat1on
knew. to be forgotten on the morrow in
the rigid etiquette of court life, but he
would enjoy 1t while he might.
The intoxication of the moment was upon
his shoulder with an affrighted gesture
the boot of an owl awoke the echoes, he
| summoned all his fortitude to resist the
temptat ton to kiss that frightened face
turned so trustingly toward his own.
Once again temptation came to him when
they had to cross the little stream which
wound Its way through the woods There
were stepping stones across the brook but
out a word he stopped and caught her up,
making his way from stone to stone as
lightly as though he were carrying child
she lay confidingly in his arms. her head
upon his shoulder, her warm breath fam
ming his cheek. for few moments the
world stood still for Winsow.
slowly. regretfully, he set her down upon
the other side, pausing for a moment to re-
| gain his breath, and In that moment the
temptation to fold her again in his arms, to
! tell her of his love, to urge her to give up
| the trumDery ceremonies for true man $
love. was almost irresistible
Then sanity came again and he stretched
cut his hand. Shall we go on?" he asked.
You are so strong" she said wonder
| ingly. as she took his hand again. Winslow
wondered If she had any thought of the
moral strength required of him to resist
| carrying her off bodily and defying the
| whole kingdom of Majesteria.
The little settlement came into view all
| too quickly. Winsow realized, with sink
| ing heart, that here was the beginning af
| the end. A fve-mile drive to Ergarda and
| the Princess Sophie was as much lost to
| him as though she lay in the smouldering
| wreck.
He had no appetite for the simple fare the
| peasants offered them while the horses
were being put into the sled. Only the urg-
! ing of the princess induced him to swallow
a hot drink as preparation for the long ride.
There was no covered sleigh in the vii
lage, but they piled long box sled with
straw and heaped it with rough fur rugs
driver cracked his whip. and somehow her
hand crept into his they sped along.
The lights of Ergarda were just coming
| into view when, with sinking heart, VIM
slow perceived a covered sleigh approach
ing. Instinctively he knew that 1t was for
her they were coming. She put his thoughts
in words.
"They are driving out to the wreck to see
| if they can find me- she exclaimed. Now
| we shall have to finish the drive in state. 1
| did want to drive up to the palace in this
sled
| The two vehicles stopped. and a footman,
| a mass Of furs. approached. Deferentially
| he sought to assist her to alight, but VIM
slow was before him. 1t was he who
tucked the robes about her, the footman
meanwhile climbing to the box again.
The princess made room at her side on
the seat, but Winslows decision was quick
ly made. Far better was parting here on
the country road than an anti-climaX of
fulsome thanks and praise from courtiers
and sycophants. He leaned forward and
for one fleeing instant their lips met in
a caress of remuneration and farewell. Then
Winslow slammed the door shut, the sleigh
dashed down the road again, and her
serene highness, the Princess Sophie of
Majesteria, had passed out of an American
romance
Winslow stood in the plaza the following
morning. The princess went to the cathe
dral to give thanks for her miraculous es
cape He would look once more upon the
face of the woman he loved, then he would
return to Paris. An agent could arrange
the business for him.
There was q stir in the crowd and
company of cavalry dashed past, followed
by an open sleigh in which sat the prin-
cess and her companion of the train.
Winslow drank in the beauty of the face
of his love and never noticed that in the
train was the elder man Of the party Of the
day before. Col. Kerval threw the reins to
an orderly and painfully slipped from his
horse.
He limped over to Winslow, but not until
his hand fell upon Winsows shoulder did
the enraptured lover turn.
L thought your leg was broken he
cried as he recognized the veteran.
Kerval laughed. Il thought l was not
mistaken in the face he declared genially.
1T was only a bad bruise. The king is
most anxious to give you his thanks in
person."
Winslow held back. It was playing with
fire 1t were better for his peace of mind
that he keep away from the palace. 1t
would open old wounds.
Kerval noticed the hesitation. The prin-
cess will never forgive me If l let you
escape he pleaded.
He WINGED as Winslow gripped his arm.
(Which is the princess" he demanded
hoarseIy pointing to the sleigh, which had
now drawn up before the cathedral en-
trance. The companion was standing in
the sleigh bowling her thanks to the greet
ings of the populace.
THAT is the princess standing answered
Kerval. Il thought you knew. The other
is her friend. the Countess Marie
IF you want receipt in full to date for
all rescues and other incidentals,' cried
Winslow, you take me to the Countess
Marie just as fast as that game leg will
carry you. Never mind the princess!'
And Kerval never understood until a
week later, when the betrothal of this in
explicable and energetic American to the
Countess Marie was announced.