Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-09
PRINCESS MARTHA
BY PERCY BREBNER.
C1@
BY PERCY BREBNER.
Copyright. 1905, t. J. Mcbride & Son.

how to fulfill their destiny. woman's des-
tiny. They are trying to teach me-
You? Then
YES I'm one of the girls there and I've
played truant. .and-yes think l shall go
back presently, when 1 have taken my fill
| Of freedom and this glorious morning.
And will get punished, am afraid" said
Ellerey.
Perhaps; but it will not be very heavy
punishment. 1t IS strange, but they rather
like me there, in spite of everything"
Il do not think that is strange at ALL"
mo. you wouldn't; you're man." she an
swered quickly, and men are weak where
attractive women are concerned, all the
world over"
! Such declaration coming from a truant
school girl somewhat startled Ellerey, and
yet. as he looked at her, he was more con-
| scious of the woman than the girl
| "Oh, yes, l know | am attractive she
| went on, and there was no deepening of the
| color in her face as she said 1t. Il am
| glad that it is so. My looks will help me
| when the work of my life begins in earnest,
| when l have played the truant from school
| for the last time, and do not go back.
Then you intend to run away event
i ually?'
Yes unless another way should seem
better That shocks you. l often shock
them down at the white house yonder, and
they excuse me because l am a foreigner.
You English are so polite. You do not
| seem to expect foreigners to know how to
behave. and you make excuses for them. 1t
| Is very funny. 1t makes me laugh" and
she laughed so merriy that her former
gravity seemed more unnatural
You speak English perfectly. / should
not have taken you for a foreigner" said
Ellerey.
"And French, and German, and my own
tongue, / speak them all perfectly. / have
lived in all these countries. 1t was neces-
sary.'
And you do not like England nor Eng
| lishmen?''
II have not said So" she answered; but
| here in England / am being taken care of,
| kept out of mischief, and sometimes 1 feel
| like a prisoner. 1t is only that which
| makes me dislike England. OF Englishmen
l know little but l have read about them,
| and they have done some good, brave deeds.
They are, perhaps, just a little conceited
with themselves don't you think? There
| is no one quite like an Englishman, 1t would
SEEM
There are all sorts, good and bad" said
Ellerey carelessly. AT the best he wants
lot of beating; at the worst well, he
wants lot of beating that way, too. How
is it you feel like a prisoner"
The girl drew herself up to her full height.
There was something naughty in her de-
meanor, occasioned, perhaps. by the care
less way in which he asked the question.
She felt that he treating her rather
like spoilt child. while she felt herself a
determined woman.
"In my own country l am princess she
said.
"Indeed?'
You do not believe me?'
''Why not? You look every inch a prin-
cess he answered.
ut is so like man to say what he thinks
will please she returned with a flash in
her eyes. You do not believe me, but you
are afraid to say so. Go down there and
ask them"
Il do not disbelieve YOU said Ellerey
quietly.
The girl relented in moment
I'VE should be very good friends, you and
1, If we knew each other You have ambi-
ton. l can see it in your face"
Il had, Princess
Hush no one calls me that here. Why
do you say you had ambition?'
You would not understand"
''Try me and see," she said. standing close