The Grit-advocate., 1907-10-18
Copyright, 1905. Bobbs- Merrill Coz
SYNOPSIS.

principality Of Europe. tells how the
reigning grand duke had tried to find
Princess Hildegarde, finally decreeins
that she wed the Prince Of Doppelkinn,
an ugly old widower ruler Of the neigh
in the country for six months the Ameri-
can consul had never seen the princess.
While horseback riding in the country
night overtakes him and he seeks accom-
mediation in dilupidated old castle In
It he finds two women and an old serv-
itor, who feed him and his horse. One
announces herself the Princess Hide
garde, the other as the Hon. Betty Moore
of England. The princess insists that he
remain as a witness to Il meeting to be
held in the castle that night.
CHAPTER IIi.-continued.
Must! My presence here ought
hot to be known to any one. When
you witness that which shall take
place here tonight, you will under
stand" Her tone lost it's evenness; it
trembled and became bit wild.
IN what manner may be of serv-
ice to your highness?" l asked pleas
antly, laying aside my gloves and crop
again. Il can easily give you my word
OF honor as gentleman not to report
your presence here; but if 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 a
party to anything which may reflect
upon the consulate. For myself. do
not care" What harebrained escapade
was now in the air?
You have heard that l am to marry
the Prince of Doppelkinn?" she began.
l nodded.
Doubtless you have also heard of
my determination not to marry him?"
she went on.
Again l nodded.
We'll, am not going to marry
him.
was seized with the desire to laugh
but dared not. What had all this to
do with my detention in the castle?
Betty" said the princess. turning
imploringly to her companion (what
changeD. you tell him
.1?" The Honorable Betty drew
back.
Had they kidnapped old Doppel-
kim? l wondered)
Il can not tell him." cried her high
ness miserably, Il simply can not. You
must do it. Betty. 1t is now absolute
ly necessary that he should know
everything; it is absolutely vital that
he be present. Perhaps heaven has
sent him. Do you understand? Now,
tell HIM"
And, wonders to behold! she who
but few minutes gone had been a
princess in everything. cold, seeing.
tranquil, she fled from the room. (De-
cidedly this was growing interesting.
What had they done) 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 minute
You will, of course, pledge me your
word Of honor?" She VINO had recent
ly been timid now become cool and
even-pulsed.
IF in pledging it I am asked to do
nothing to discredit my Office | am
| not an Independent ndividual,"-smil-
ing to put her more at ease q haven't
the least doubt that would have COM
mitted any sort of folly had she re-
quired it Of me.)
You have my word. sir, that you
will be asked to do nothing dishonor-
able. On the other hand you will con-
fer great favor upon her highness,
who is in deep trouble and is seeking
way to escape it."
Command me-" said l promptly.
Her highness is being forced into
marriage with man who is old enough
to be her grandfather. She holds him
in horror, and will go to any length to
make this marriage an impossiblity.
For my part. have tried to convince
her of the futilty of resisting her
royal uncles will" (Sensible little
BritisherD What she is about to do
will be known only TO four persons.
one of whom is downright rascal"
"A rascal?' slipped my lips, half
unconsciousy. Il trust that | haven't
given you that IMPRESSION" l added
eagerly. GA rascal? The plot was
thickening to formidable opaqueness.)
No, no. she cried hastily, with a
flash of summer on her lips what
is more charming than an English
woman with clear sense of the hui
morous) You haven't given me that
impression at all"
Thank you" My vanity expanded
under the genial warmth of this knowl-
edge. 1t was quite possible that she
looked upon me favorably.
ITO proceed. There is to be kind
! of mock marriage here tonight, and
you are to witness it, She watched
me sharply.
l frowned