Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1907-05-18

nOW lONSly pOOI SCAuIIJGF WCulG %
without YOU"
TheckIa sighed not without impa-
thence.
"But my life is simply imprison-
ment! l am not sure if It was not
better in the clock tower-for at least
l could be alone there. Cedric, tell
me-you have been married-need be-
trothed couples see quite as much of
each other-it's awful"
1T will be better after you are mar
ried. The business of life will re-
turn to take the place of romance. l
think Frau Schnitter will lead the
busiest of lives"
She left him abruptly with stormy
brow, but it was stormier still at din
ner, for Schnitter, wearied out with
formal courtship, had tried to overlook
her hand and kiss her lips. Prince
Cedric read the signs of the times,
and from that time the Schwindel-
geizen became noisily turbulent. The
palace hummed like a hive with ru-
mors of the outrageous doings of
those riotous spirits. Prince Cedric
went about in his uniform, looking
every inch soldier. The widest ru-
mors circulated and Theckla, who
had found existence very dull of late,
felt her spirits rise with a bound
Cedric watched her and was well
pleased.
There may be some sort of
skirmist-you will not mind, Theck-
lap
Mind, with you and father here!
/ am soldiers daughter"
What about Schnitter? 1 am afraid
he may not like a fuss; he is not a sol
der, you recollect."
But he has the spirit of one! Look
at his poems; they are on fire with
martial ardor.
The grave Cedric blushed with gen.
! uine pleasure, but Schnitter's martial
ardor did not seem compatible with
an exceedingly pale face as the noise
in and about the palace became more
suggestive to his quick imagination.
There appeared to be disgraceful do
ings in the grand ducal palace He
thought of wild Indians as the discord-
ant cries drew so uncomfortably near,
and it was observed that he stood
rather behind Theckla than protecting
ly and CALAMITY in front of her.
| Cedric gave him a sword, and it
shook visibly in the hands of one so
little accustomed to the practice of
war. 1t was Cedric himself who put
the finishing touch to his discom
future.
BY the way, Schnitter, were you
not once a Schwindel-geizen your
self"
81 used to drink beer with them
once" stammered the other.
"The only difficulty is that if an
entrance should be forced and they
find you here-a court favorite-they
may think you renegade; in that
case-they are so hot-blooded-we
should be terribly grieYed but natu-
rally we must think of their serene
highnesses first"
Schnitter's sword fell with a clat-
ter, for it certainly sounded as though
the palace were being taken by storm;
falling on his knees behind Theckla.
he caught her dress. Cedric coldly
| l&S clasp, Willie 1nCChld
stood lost in wonder at this extraor-
binary sight of man who was a
coward
''You are not fit to touch the hem
of her highness' garment. | promise
to spare your life if you will confess
that you stole the poems from the
coat my valet de chambre sold you,
and that you published them as your
own.
Schnitter eagerly assented to the
whole indictment-fo the rabble were
coming nearer and nearer, until the
very hall where they were became
filled with masked men, They
pounuced upon the unhappy Schnitter,
who appealed vainly to Prince Cedric.
81 keep my promise-your life will
certainly be spared, but tar is
healthy preparation, land feathers once
worn by an honest goose will not hurt
dishonest one"
Then he handed over the victim.
Garry out my instructions, but the
general public is to know nothing of
this
He was obeyed to the letter.
The next morning Theckla address
ed her cousin in the august presence
of the grand duke himself
Cousin, l should like to ride with
you through the town and into the
country beyond; am tired of being
shut up
When they had left the town behind
them and reached the open country
Theckla put a question.
"Those poems of yours, Cedric;
they are so excellent that / want to
know if 1 inspired them-or some
others lady2"
They were written years ago,
Theckla, when You were little gold
en-haired child. AS to my inspiration
ON my honor cannot remember the
particular divinity. Do you forgive my
honestly"