Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1905-04-19
5N UT, your highness," I inter-
lS posed, raising my hands in con-

Jo1 poSeu raising my nanuS In con-
sternation, 'there will be war
81 you do not marry the Princess
Olothilda. And, besides, it was your
venerated fathers wish that you
should wed her."
Am heir to all my fathers whims
and fancies" exclaimed Prince ANA
gon, bringing his dainty foot emphat-
dcally down on the floor "Shall l
marry woman whom l have never
yet seen, who has never yet seen me,
who may be ugly, who"
But your highness," 1 again sug-
Igested, mildly, "the Princess is said to
be very beautiful"
Beautiful, indeedv' he cried, mock
dngly. "Why, all princesses are beau
tlful. There was our sister Of Cloves,
who of all women was the most ill-fa-
vored. Yet even she was said to be
beautiful. Else how would our poor
brother OF England-poor Henry
ever have been brought to marry herr
This Clothilde, likely enough, is just
such another ugly, fat person,
With cast in her eye,
and her mouth all awry,
as the old rhyme goes. But even II
she were beautiful as the day and bril-
liant as the sun, would not wed her.
For when l marry l shall take me a
wife Of my own choice"
"But what shall tell the Princess,
since she is already in the palaceY I
asked, helplessly.
"Oh, tell her anything-anything to
set rid Of her." he answered, careless
", as If getting rid Of the Princess
were the simplest matter in the world.
But wait" added, as was about
to go; "there is still something else I
wish to tell you. Now, know" he
began, thoughtfully, Ticking the flies
with his riding whip, "it is time for
me to get married. I owe it to my
people and my realm. But I shall
choose wife who suits me, whom 1
Sove and who loves me for myself as
well as for my possessions.
Therefore, l have determined to
Disguise myself as common working
man and go among my people in
aearch of such q woman. l shall set
out tomorrow morning and you shall
accompany me. So, after having per-
formed my commands as regards the
Princess, also assume the garb Of a
laboring man and meet me in the
market place by the fountain. You
will know me by q green patch upon
my sleeve. That Is all. You may now
60"
The final words were accompanied
by significant sweep Of his arm
towards the door.
There was nothing more to be said.
the audience chamber.
However, had no intention OF let
ting the Prince have his own foolish.
sentimental way. 1t is true, tbs said,
that stubborn beast must take his
own path. But in this case the mule
may be pardoned for my irreverence
was dragging along with himself to
destruction two kingdoms, with their
several hundred thousand inhabitants,
besides bringing ruin to myself, his
ihumble Prime Minister-which latter
fact you may be sure, was by far the
most important to me.
Therefore, as l proceeded to the
Princess Clothilde's apartments, pom
dered in my mind how l could bring
about the marriage Of the Prince and
Princess, and at last hit upon q plan
by means Of which, congratulated
myself, this much-to-be-de event
could be accomplished.
Finally, after hurrying through the
winding passages Of the palace,
reached the Princess ante-chamber
whence, upon mentioning my business,
j was Immediately ushered by rosy
checked, laughing little maid Of honor
&nto the audience chamber itself.
AS l entered, a tall, Venus-like
young woman, presumably the Prin-
cess, came towards me with an eager,
radiant smile.
You come from the Prince, do you
not" she asked.
bowed a funeral bow, and said,
Gn most tragic tone:
II do indeed come from the Prince.
But would that did not, for the mes
sage that l bear from him is but a
sorry one. Your highness," contin-
ued. 1.-THE Prince has been seized by q
sudden madness. In spite of all 1 can
say or do, he insists that he will not
marry you. Nay, he will not even see
your highness nor hear your name
mentioned"
AS l spoke. the Princess drew her
self up haughtily, and her face lost all
ats sunshine.