The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1908-05-08

TlNeu ut Tue suOtSi.
THE devil, probably. to complicate
matters
i've heard him called so. but a good
looking devil and devilishly pleasant. |
met him in his motor. in which he'd
driven into town from his new toy, the
hunting lodge in
"What. You mean the Prince
"Of Darkness. you've just named
him" Egon gave laugh at his own
repartee. but the chancellor heard nei-
ther. His hard face frightened. That's
WE'LL" said he grimly Here we have
Just the young man to see us through
this bad pass If he's as good looking
as ever and in his usual mood for mis-
chief. If. we can interest him in this
affair, he may save me great deal Of
trouble and you a misalliance.'
But your wedding present to me-
began Egon blankly.
Don't distress yourself. Do what
YOU can to assist me, and. whatever
the md, you shall be my heir, prom
Use you. Is the prince at the hotel
nowY
(, ''Yes. He had been to call Oh you at
your town house, he stopped his auto
mobile to tell me. and, hearing from
me that you would be back this even
ing. he decided to stay all night at the
hotel, so that he could have chat
with you after your return. no matter
at what hour it might be. believe he
has left note at your house.
81 will go to him. and we can then
discuss it's contents together" said
Count Won Breitstein. and the chauf-
feur who drove his electric carriage
was told to go to the Hohenlaugenwald
hotel. .0s
The prince. who would. the chancel-
lor hoped. become the deus ex machina.
was engaged in selecting the wines for
his dinner when Count Won Breitstein's
card was sent in. He was pleased to
say that he would receive his visitor,
and, Egon having been sent about
his business. the chancellor was shown
into the purple drawing room of the
suit reserved for royalty.
AS he entered a young man jumped
up from an easy chair, scattering
sheaves of illustrated papers, and held
out both his hands, with a Welcome.
my dear old friend!'
1t would have been vain to scour the
world in quest Of handsomer young
man than this one. Even Egon Won
Breitstein would have seemed a mere
good looking puppet beside him. and
the chancellor rejolced in the physical
perfection of prince who might prove
dangerous rival for an absent EN-
peror.
"This is the best Of good fortune"
exclaimed Count Won Breitstein. "Egon
told me you were here, and without
waiting to get the note he said you
had left for me l came to you straight
from the railway station"
splendid! And now you must dine
with me- 1t was that l asked Of you
in my note. Dinner early, a serious
talk and an antidote for solemnity IN
a visit to the Leopoldhalle to see Mile.
Felice from the Folies Bergere do her
famous fire and fountain dance. A
box curtains half drawn, no one need
know that the chancellor helps his
young friend amuse himself.
II thank your royal highness for the
honor you suggest, and nothing could
give me greater pleasure If had not
suggestion to venture, in place of
yours, which / believe may suit you
better. l think l know Of what you
wish to talk with me, and l desire the
same, while the business have most
at heart
"Ah, your business is my business,
then?"
81 hope you may so consider it. In
any case it is business which must be
carried through now or never and IS OF
life and death Importance to those
whom it concerns. How it's to be
done or whether done at all may de-
pend on you, il you consent to interest
yourself, and It could not be in more
competent hands. If I'd been given
my choice of an assistant out OF the
whole world l should have chosen your
royal highness."
This sounds like an adventure.
at may be an adventure and at the
same time an act of justice"
Good Although it was not in search
of an adventure that came to you,
any more than it was the hope of game
which brought me oDsa sudden impulse
to my little hunting lodge, still trust
have always the instinct of sports
man"
II am sure of that, and | have the
less hesitation in enlistins your goou
will because it happens that your bird
and mine can be killed with one shot
chancellor, you excite my curios-
ity."
The old man smiled genial!y, but un-
der the bristling browS glowed fame
as of the last embers in a dying lire.
Upstairs" said he, lis pretty Wom-
an, beauty. She claims the name OF
Helen Mowbray. though her right to 1t
is mere than disputabl Her love af-
fairs threaten a public scandal
"Ah, you are not the first one who
has spoken Of this pretty lady since
crossed the frontier this morning" eX-
claimed the young man, flushing. lie
paused and bit his lip before going on,
ne if he wished to think or regain self
control, but at last he laughed not al
together lightly. $50 the lady most
L.11.A.l nln,t for the moment In all