Evening star., 1909-06-13

friendship was OF the quality tnat does battle LOT a
friend assaied. You see, continued the. Mar
grave, striving to be cam but almost out of breath
from excitement for he loved his friend, =" you
see, is man. and must go when the Princess says
'Comei"
Notwithstanding the Margrave's ort to calm
himself, his excitement grew upon him, and he
danced about with agility little to be expected
in a short mountain of flesh. 1T is this way, my
Princess, he continued, We'll say that you are
Wen say that am beautiful woman, and
and Nina and the Crown Prince could not re-
strain smile. "Yes, yes, it is funny know it is
If were womani" Adolph laughed nervously
"Lieber HimmeH What sight should be, if were
woman! People would travel long Journeys and
would pay mark to see me- two marks for good
seat Yes, yes, it is funny! I'll change the meta
phor If you were man-we' II leave that stand as
it is. Aeh! if you man, my Princess, other
any woman. Then could take your hand-and-'
The Margrave reached out eagerly for the hands of
the Princess: but quickly drew back without touch
ing her Pardon my Princess Ny love will not
obey This evening he is a foolish fool
Is not love always foolish fool!' asked Nina
smiling
the wisest fool on earth, answered the Margrave
There is middle ground of mere commonsense
for the little rascal; and he who lacks commonsense
is always fool though there wise fools in the
world. Unfortunately, my Princess, it the
foolish fool Love that took up his home in my poor
heart But-but-to come back If your Highness
man, and the Crown Prince here were a
woman and if the woman should say to you, My
friend don't fail to meet me at the west fountain IN
the garden-no, the new garden IN the west
aeh! l am foolish-at the new fountain in the west
garden, what would the woman mean? Love
foolish love You, being man, could not turn away
your face as woman may and, felgn1ng modesty
when you feel disgust say, with downcast eyes, Oh
1 may not. l fear-I fear my hard, cruel father
would be angry. Oh, dare not! No. You could
make no excuse,-two penalties man must pay tor
being He must forego the love he wants but
cannot have, and may not refuse that which he does
not want, but still must take.
Then too he must endure silence the little lies
the woman tells about him. He cannot say, 1t is
so when she insists that he is desperate for love
of her Woman has her burdens; but Of fine
honor also has burdens which are the lighter be-
cause h, may, if he wishes, throw them off. He will
often carry heavy burden rather than explain at
woman's expense If Captain Henry met the Prin-
cess he did SO because he had no alternative God
has given me but few talents, very few, but every
day am thankful that He has given me to know
true man when see him, and to trust true trend
when l have Captain Henry is both have
sald-much.
Neither the Prince nor the Princess responded to
Adolphs long speech and after moments silence
the Crown Prince said
MY dear Margrave, what you have said is very
interesting; but pray leave me with my sister that
we may have a few words privately together, 1t is
privilege seldom enjoy"
The Margrave at withdrew, greatly humili
ated not by the Princes words, but because he
Adoph the Shrewd. had not earlier caught the sig
nails OF dismissal
WHEN Adolph had left, Fritz said hurriedly. :
w am glad you told me about our new friends
meeting with Don't Care. Stumpys great favor
made me suspicious and this intimacy with
Don't Care convnces that the new Captain is not
to be trusted. I'm sorry to be forced to the belief
hell, and intended taking the new Captain into my
confidence, l hoped to have his help; but now"
Don't try to run away!" pleaded Wilhemina. al
most wailing out her words If you go, / shall be
entirely alone You are my only comfort, my only
joy Pray do not leave me- If you do, / shall die!'
THAT is a selfish request Nina" answered the
Crown Prince petuantly. You, of course are
bound hand and foot here 1t is impossible for you
to escape unless you go as the wife of of the
bcstal old creatures Old Stumpy has chosen for you
But if you were generous you would not wish me to