Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1907-08-10

scarcely expect me TO NEEDLE with
your private affairs. You are the last
person in the world / thought to meet
this night, l represent the United
States In this country. and though l
am Unfortunately young, / have ac-
CURED the habit OF attending to my
own affairs
From the angry face In front OF me
] turned to the dismayed face beyond,
There must have peer u question In
my glance. The young woman drew
herself up proudly.
Il am the Honorable Betty Moore"
(The princess schoolmate in Eng.
iandi)
Her highness stood biting the
knuckle of a forefinger, undecided as
10 what path Of action to enter. to
reach a satisfactory enc My very
%rudeness convinced her more than
anything else that | spoke the truth.
"How. then. did you select this par
ticular rosd?"-stili entertaining some
doubt.
at is a highway. free to all. But |
have already explained that" | an.
swered quietly. | moved deliberately
toward the door, but with a cat-like
movement she sprang In front of me.
"Well, your ~highness?'
watt she commanded, extending
an authoritative arm ~(lovely. too!).
"Since you are here. and since you
know who | am, YOU must remain"
"Must?' | repeated. taken aback.
Must My presence here ought
not to be known TO any one. When
you witness that which shall take
place here tonight. you Will under
stand" Her tone lost its evenness; II
trembled and became a bit wild.
IN what name may | be of serv
ice to your highness?" | asked pleas
antly, laying aside my gloves and cror
again. Il a easily give you my word
of honor as a gentleman not to report
your presence here; but II | am forced
to remain, | certainly demand
Desire" she corrected, the old fire
in her eyes.
THANK you. / desire, then, TO know
the full reason: for | can not be O
party to anything which may reflect
upon the consulate. For myself, dc
not care" What hare-hrained escapade
was now in the air?
The princess walked over to the
mantel and rested her arms upon It
staring wide-eyed into the fire. Sew
eral minutes passed. i waited patient
!, ly; but, to tell the truth. | was on fire
with curiosity, At length my patience
was rewarded.
You have heard that ] am to marry
the Prince of Doppelkinn ?" she began
nodded.
!, Doubtless you have also heard o.
my determination not TO marry him?'
she went on.
!, Again I nodded
We'll, l am not going to marry
him"
was seized With the desire to laugf
bat dared % What had all this K
do with my detention in the castle?
Betty" said the princess, turning
imploringly to her companion swhat /,
changel), you tell him"
"I?" The Honorable Betty drew
back.
(Had they kidnapped old Doppel
kim? ! wonderedD
Il can not tell him." cried her high
ness miserably, Il simply can not. Yol
must do it, Betty. II is now absolute
ly necessary that he should know
everything; II is absolutely vital .hai
he be present. Perhaps heaven ha;
sent him. DO you understand? Now
tell hint"
And, wonders TO behold she WHIT
but a few minutes gone had beer 3
princess in everything, cold, seeing
tranquil, she fed from the room. (De
cidedlT this was growing interesting
What had they done9 Thus, the Hon
orable Betty Moore and his excel
lency, the American consul at Bar
scheit, were left staring into each 9th
er's eyes fully a minute.
You will, of course, pledge me your
word 0s honor?" She VINO had recent
ly been timid now become cool and
eyen-pulsed.
IF in pledging 1t 4 am asked to dc
nothing to discredit my Office. j an
not an independent individual, "-smil
ing TO PM her more at ease. Q haven't
the least doubt that l would have com.
ulitted any sort Of folly had she re
quired ii of mel
You have my word, sir, that you
will be asked to do nothing ~dishonor-
able. On the other hand, you will con
fer a great favor upon her highness,
who is in deep trouble and is seeking a
way TO escape It,"
Command me-" said / promptly.
Her highness is being forced into
marriage with a man who is old enough
to be her grandfather. She holds him
in horror, and will go TO any length to
make this marriage Ia 1mpossibility.
For my part, J have tried to convince
her of the futility Of resisting her
royal nncle's will" (Sensible little
Britisher!) What she Is about to do