Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-05-08
WHAT HAPPENED AT STARKENFELS
Copyright. by Joseph B. Bowiss.,
By IAIAIL MIArINI

and not to my ambitions. that fell victim?
 For months worshipped her from afar, as pious ones worship saint reverently, ecstaucally. Despairing. too. was my love for her, realizing that while she was heiress to the throne of Lchtenstein. was but one of the minor satellites of the court.
 My princess was chosen by the states of Sachsenberg and Lichtenstein to become the wife of King Heinrich of Sachsenberg. Few were there at the Court of Vaduz that were not privy to this. and few whom the princess fiat refusal to enter into the alliance did not fill with consterna- tion. She had never seen the king of Sachsenberg, and she openly vowed that she never wished to see him; that she would not be bestowed like unto chattel for purposes of state.
 Then did it occur to me that haply heart to another. Could it be, asked myself, that my ardent glances had not been in vain?
 I will not dwell here upon details of our' flight; they scarce concern my story. But so we'll did contriye that in three days my mistress sat safe within the walls of her castle of Stark enfels. We were prepared for . siege, and I had victualled the place so that score of people might hold out for year, if need be.
 On the eighth day of our coming to Starkenfels held barley with one who rode up in hot haste to the very edge of the moat.
 From the battlements inquired on what errand he was come, and in an- swer he pompously announced that his business was with the Princess Yola of Lichtenstein. Then there came the rustic of a gown beside me, and the princess was at my elbow, gazing down upon that leather-clad clown.
 Who is this, Geristein?"
 'I know not, madame. It pleases him to be mysterious"
 But he is wounded!" she cried, a look of pity glorifying her matchless eyes And you leave him at the gate?"
 The graceless dog, perceiving her, doffed his grey beaver decked by broken goose quill, disclosing face that was very pale.
 Lady" he began, then stopped ab ruptly. The hat fluttered from his grasp; he sank forward upon the withers of his horse, then rolling from the saddle, lay inert upon the turf.
 See to him, my lord" the princess cried. "He has tainted, Have him brought into the castle.
 The wound was' a mere scratch, though much blood had flowed, as his sodden sleeve bore witness. With her own kerchief she bound 1t up.
 Poor lad" she murmured, he hath lost much blood"
 As she spoke he stirred; sigh es- capped him. and he opened his eyes. to find the princess mirrored in them. Then from those eyes of his there flashed with returning consciousness a look of such wonder and bold ad- miration that my lady's dignity was aroused by it.
 My lady's brow grew dark. and stern her eye.
 Come you on behalf of King Hein- rich?"
 Nay, your highness, on my own. and a sorry traitor do I hold myself. Yet, madame, that which is a foot seemeth to me SO foul thing that had no longer esteemed myself a gen. tleman had I, Anthony Won Turgen, not ridden to warn you"
 What is this warning that keeps you a gentleman yet makes you a traitor?"
 Lady. the prince. your father. ac- companied by the king of Sachsenberg. is on his way hither with thousand men"
 There was a moments pause. and white grew the Princess Yola's cheeks.
 But despair not, lady. You may yet escape. leaving your castle gar risoned. Bid your men hold out for a month. and then surrender the empty nest to the prince. But. lady. you must hasten. for he draws neari"
 Yola put her hand to her heart. and looked about her with eyes that for a moment told of fear. Then
 Here will I remain" she said. "un- til these tyrants shall have starved me. Do you save yourself. sir. and take with you my thanks for your noble effort"
 At the princess command a fresh horse was brought him In this there was some delay. and when at last he was mounted it was too late. The princes force was within a couple of hundred yards. and I could not sanc- ton the lowering of the bridge
 With a careless laugh von Turgen dismounted and flung the reins to a servant
 For a month set the Prince Of Licht- enstein and the King of sachsenberg bssiezing us. and in my whole fife [ can recall no other month in which suffered half % much. GradualIy. almost imperceptibly thz; vile rufier out of Sschsenberg- for such I ever have. and ever shall hold him to be-xormed himself by a score Of vilss into the good rraoss Q.