Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1909-04-16
THE BRIDGE ACROSS
THE YEARS

The climax came. as all climaxes must
come. 1t was a day of brooding storm
and wind whipped seas. l took my we'll
accustomed way along the cliff path, and
saw her there, her skirts afutter in the
wind. her hair tossed hither and thither
the sport of every gust. How / envied
the boisterOus gale, that fondled her
radiant cheek with such grim kindness!
There was a sadness in her voice, and
mistiness in her eyes that gave me
warning of what was to come. She was
going away!
Going away, Eean-Miss Gressen?"
| stammered.
Yes. | have received orders to return
to my home" She was looking at me
meaningly, as though to hold me back
and check the words on my lips.
But but shall meet again?'' !
demanded. She shook her head sadly,
and her face, turned away now, quivered
| could see a peai|y drop glow ON her
dropping lash, and flung caution to the
winds
"You mustn't 90"
Hush! must. | have a duty to
perform"
You mustn't &C. Eleanor. | love you,
dear heart Stay with me- Be my wife
You are all the world to me, beloved"
1t was her fright and her-yes, ] think
it was also her love, that brought her
into my arms. There | held her rev
erently for as long as one might count a
score; them kissed the little tendrils
over her white neck
You will stay, Eleanor" As if the
kiss had brought her back to the world,
she struggled free. and turned her flushed
and fear-enyeloped face to me-
STAY" she commanded imperio,tsly-
Fl should never have let you speak 1t
is good to hear you say YOU love me,
and | must not listen. l have something
to say to you. | am not Miss Eleanor
Gressen, Lord Arbuthstroke | am the
Princess Eleanor of Limara"
You are my queen!" | said defiantly.
That's more than a princess"
She smiled pathetically at my ardent
words, but maintained her distance.
Cant you understands" she asked.
"Oh, try to understand"
You're Princess Eleanor of Limaria,"
| said duly. Yes. | understand that"
"But-don't you ever read the papers ?"
All! | remembered then. "A marriage
had been arranged, and would shortly
take place, between Princess Eleanor of
Limaria and the Crown Prince of Mer-
vitz Strettoff." And a sudden spasm of
Ioathing shook me in every fiber.
NO. no" | cried inpetuously No"
She shook her head wistfully
It's absurd, girl | cried 1T mustn't
be. It's an evil thing" For l knew
Prince Germain by repute. His name
was the signal for a curled lip or a broad
OUTLAW.
1t mustn't be- said again
1T is arranged, my friend" She re-
| piled. We've of a royal house are not
as others We have no free will 1t
was to forget the-the-to forget this
coming marriage that | came here to
England. had better have died"
Why | asked breathlessly, the dawn
of great hope in my soul, But she
gave me no clue to her meaning then.
This man-this prince | said, what
do you know of him?"
"All there is to know" she answered
fearessly but slow red flush crept over
the place where | had pressed my lips
and mounted to her broad white brow.
| But what would you, my friend? 1t is
arranged. The world looks on these
| things as unavoidable, and IL am of
the world. No. | have never seen him
| shall do that all too soon But he
says he loves me. and | am to become
Queen of Mervitz- Strettoff when the old
King dies. So all things will work to-
gether for good. Two peoples will be
welded together, peace will be assured
where before was war, and-that is all
But your own heart. girl-what of
that?"
All! my heart, yes; but, then. we
princesses must have no hearts We
give peace and happiness to our sub
ieets, no matter what the price. And
maybe we reap our reward-who
knows :"
But this is too much to bear | said
bitterly. Eleanor, listen Forget this
man who would have you for his wife.
Your radiant youth would be ruined.
your Joy would he killed Come away
with me. What does it matter that the
world looks askance on such as me as
a mate for your ! love you, girl love
you, and by that love l vow to leave no
stone unturned TO make your happiness
assured. Come away with me Let nv
love shield you; let my alteration close
around you and teach you that life is
something more than one long sacrifice
Nou-surely you don't love this mans"
Love-" she whispered Loves All
no. | do not love him, But my duty
points the way, and down that way /
must tread even to the last bitter mile.
stone. Love? Why, sir, what has
princess to do with love? II is a thing
apart. With us duty stands for love.
and all our lives we strive to 10 that