The Lamar register. [volume] (Lamar, Colo.) 1889-1952, 1907-10-23
SYNOPSIS.

Princess Hildegarde. finally decreelng
an ugly old widower. ruler. OF the neigh
boring principally. Though he had been
in the country for six months the Ameri-
consul had never seen the prtncess
night overtakes him. and no seeks accom-
il he finds an old seryitor and two
women. the Princess Hildegarde. and a
friend. the Hon. Betty Moore Of England.
They detain him to be witness to a
mock marriage of the Princess to Stein
book, disgraced military officer. as a
means of escaping the marriage with
Prince Doppelkinn. Warrington. the
American consul. Ia hidden behind the
portiers when Steinbock arrives.
CHAPTER Hi.-continued.
heard the crackie OF parchment.
The certificate was being unfolded.
ut occurred to me that while she was
about 1t the princess might just as
well have forged the rascal's name and
wholly dispensed with his services.
The whole affair struck me as being
ineffective; nothing would come of II.
II she tried to make the duke believe
that she had married Steinbock. her
uncle would probe the matter to tn ,
bottom, and In the end cover her with
ridicule. But you can not tell young
woman anything. when she is prir-
cess and In the habit of having her
own way. 1t Is remarkable how stupil
clever women can be at times. The
Honorable Betty understood. but her
highness would not be convinced. Thu,'
she suffered this needless afront. Par
don this parenthesis. but when one
talks from behind curtain the par
enthesis is the only available thing.)
There was silence. | saw Steinbock
poise the pen. then scribble on the
parchment. II was done. / stirred
restlessly.
"There!" cried Steinbock. His voice
did not lack certain triumph. And
now for the duplicated"
Her highness stuffed the document
into the bosom of her dress. There
will be no duplicate" The frigidity of
her tones would have CONCEALED the
blood of an ordinary rascal. But Stein
book was not ordinary.
But suppose the duke comes to me
for verification?" he reasoned.
You will be on the other side Of
the frontier. Here are your thousand
crowns"
The barb OF her contempt penetrated
even thlCh Cpiutl
hardened.
Il was once a gentleman; l did not
always accept money for aiding in
shady transactions"
Neither your sentiments nor your
opinions are required. Now. observe
me carefully" continued her highness.
Il shall give you "a hours to cross the
frontier in any direction you choose.
If after that time you are found in
Barscheit. I promise to hand you over
to the police
1T has been a great day said the
rascal. with a laugh. "A thousand
crowns!"
separated the portieres an inch.
He stood at the side of the piano. upon
which he leaned an elbow. He was
certainly handsome. much sought after
by women of low class. The princess
stood at Steinbock's left and the Hon
orable Betty at his right. erect. their
faces expressing nothing, so forced
was the respose.
Il never expected so great an honor.
To wed a princess. when that princess
il your highness! Faith. it is fine!"
You may go at once" interrupted
her highness. her voice rising a ksy.
Remember. you have only "a hours
between you and prison. You waste
valuable time"
What! you wish to be rid of me so
soon? Why. this is the bridal night.
One does not part with ones wife at
this rate"
Leopold. the caretaker made a warn
ing gesture.
Come, Leopold. I must have my
jest" laughed Steinbock.
Within certain bounds" returned
the old man phlegmatically. 1T is
high time you were OF. You are fool
hardy to match your chances with
justice. Prison stares you in the face"
Bah, Do you believe it,"
1T is a positive fact" added the
princess.
But to leave like this has the pang
of DEATH" Steinbock demonstrated
What! shall l be of without having
even kissed the bride?"
The bargain is concluded on all
sides; you have your thousand
Crowns
But not loves tribute. | must have
that. 1t is worth thousand crowns
BESIDES" with a perceptible change in
his manner. shall l forget the con-
tempt with which you have always
looked upon me. even in the old days
that were fair and prosperous? Scarce.
ly! Opportunity is a thing that can
not be permitted to pass thus lightly"
Then l observed his nose wrinkle: he
was smiling. Tobacco, l did not
know that you smoked. Leopold
BE gonei" cried the old fellow. his
hands opening and shutting
Presently" With laugh he
sprang toward her highness, but Leo
pold was too quick for MIN.
There was a short struggle, and |
saw the valiant old man reel. fall and
strike his head on the stone of the
hearth. He lay perfectly motionless
So unexpected was this scene to my
eyes that for time l was without any
particular sense of movement / stood
like stone. With an evil laugh Stein
book sprang toward her highness
again. Quick as light she snatched up
my crop. which lay on the table. and
struck the rascal full across the eyes,