Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1907-08-24
CHAPTER VIII.

SffFNF Gh VIZ
Shortly before six o'clock-dlnner
in the palace was rarely served until
half.after eight-the Honorable Betty
sat down to her writing desk In her
%boudoir, which opened directly into
that belonging to the princess, to write
a few letters home. A dinner was to
be given to the state officials that
night, and she knew from experience
that after that solemn event was CON
cluded 1t would be too late for the de-
parting mails. She seemed to have
no difficulty In composing her thoughts
and transferring them to paper. There
were times when she would lean back,
nibble the end of her pen and smile
In a dreamy, retrospective fashion. No
doubt her thoughts were pleasant and
agreeable.
She had completed addressing three
envelopes, when she heard the door
leading into the princess boudoir open
and close. She turned to behold the
princess herself.
why, Gretchen, where are you 60
ing ?"-noting the gray walking-dress,
the gray hat, the sensible square-toed
shoes.
= Il am going to visit a sick nurse"
replied her h~ighness, avoiding the 9th.
er's eye.
But shall you have time to dress
for dinner?"
THAT depends. Besides, the official
dinners are a great bore" Her high
ness came forward, caught the dark
head of the English girl between her
gloved hands, pressed 1t against her
heart, bent and kissed it. What a
lovely girl you are, Betty always I'm
RULED, always even-tempered. You
will grow old very gracefully"
II hope SO; but l do not want to
grow old at all. Can't | go with you?'
eagerly.
Impossible; etiquette demands your
presence here tonight. If | am late
my rank and my errand will be my
excuse. What jolly times VIZ used to
have in that quaint old boarding school
in st. Johns Wood! Do you remem-
Der how we went to your noble ia
theirs country place one Christmas? I
went incognita. There was a children's
party, and two boys had a ~fisticuff
over you. Nobody noticed me those
days. | vas happy then" The prin-
cess frowned. 1t might have been the
sign of repression of tears. Betty,
with her head against the others
bosom, could not see. Il shall be
lonely without you; for you can not
stay on here forever. If you could. it.
would be different. I shall miss you.
Somehow you possess the faculty of
calming me. | am so easily stirred
into a passion; my temper is so sur
face-wise. Some day, however, l shall
come to England and spend a whole
month with you. Will not that be
fine?"
How melancholy your voice Isl"
cried Betty. trying without avail to re-
move her highness' hands.
mo. no; | want to hold you just so.
Perhaps l am sentimental tonight, |
have all the moods. agreeable and dis
agreeable. Do you love any
body?"
Love anybody? What do you
mean ?'-rising in spite of the pro-
testing hands. do l look as if were
in love with anybody"
They searched each others eyes.
ooh, you ~islandersl Nobody can
fathom what is going on in your hearts.
You never make any mistakes; you al
ways seem to know which paths to
pursue; you are always right, always,
always, I'd like to see you commit a
folly. Betty; it's a wicked wish, l know,
but l honestly wish it. There is GER
tainly mor Spanish blood in my veins
than German. | am always making
mistakes; l never know WHICH path is
the right one; l am always Wong. DO
you believe it possible for a woman of
birth and breeding to fall in love with
a man whom she has known only
| three days?"
Three days! Are you crazy, Hide
| garde?"
Call me Gretchen imperlously.
Gretchen, what has come over
| you?"
Il asked you q question"
"Well,'-a bit of color stealing into
| her cheeks,x-'it is possible. but very
| foolish. One ought to know something
| OF a mans character" went on Betty.
before permitting sentiment to enter
into ones thoughts"
That is my opinion, wise little
white owl" Her highness took her
friend In her arms and kissed her, held
her at arms length, drew her to her
heart and again kissed her. 1t was
like a farewell. Then she let her go.
If there is anything you need. make
yourself at home with my cases" And
her highness was gone.
Betty gazed at the door through
which dear Gretchen had passed, gazed
thoughtfully and anxiously.
How oddly she acted! | wonder
She made as though to run to the door,
but stopped. as il ashamed Of the doubt
! which flashed into her mind and out