Evening star., 1909-06-27

:,
to him. DO not weep; but take the joy that
has been vouchsafed to us. 1t is all that we
shall ever know. This moment and its memory
will help to sweeten the rest of our lives. DO
not lose one drop from the precious cup 1t of
fers. Drink it. my love. and believe me that in
all your life to come its memory will fill your
heart with gladness that no one can take
from you"
My heart is full of gladness now,' answered
the girl. There Is room for nothing else. My
tears are tears of joy; for | love you and !
know that you love me. | have often dreamed
of moment like this | suppose every girl
does; but | never hoped it would come to me.
Now | am ready to meet my fate. Even God
cannot rob me of my joy, and know He would
not for He has sent it to me to give me strength
against the misery that is in store for me-"
HENRY and Wilhelmina drank from their
cup of joy till the music in the house
ceased then they rose, intending to return to
the Crown Prince. When they were leaving the
summerhouse, Henry clasped the girl in his
arms and was kissing her lips, when Adolph
suddenly appeared on the scene.
"Aeh GoHE' exclaimed the astonished Mar
grave mopplng his face with his great red hand
kerchief Il did not tell you to do that So
this is the way you keep faith with friend!'
Henry's surprise completely damned the cur
rent of his thoughts, and for a moment his
mind was blank. Wilhelminas faculties all
came swarming to her rescue.
Sit by me. Margrave, and / will tell you
all, she said, drawing Adolph down beside her.
Henry stood, dimly wondering what she was
going to do.
Your friend, who is indeed your friend, has
kept faith with YOU. she said taking Adolph's
hand, and has complied with your absurd re-
quest to the letter. He told me of your love. of
which | already knew, and he repeated your
beautiful words. Ah Margrave. there is no one
else who can speak SO beautifully you'll
1t will be perceived that Wilhelmina could
when the occasion demanded, use art for her
purposes,
possible proof of my confidence and esteem.
she continued, turning earnestly to Adolph
This man loves me and love him; but our
love can be only source of pain to us, for we
are as far from each other as if he was on one
side of the world and on the other
"Aoh, yes, it is too bad!' said the gentle Mar
grave, forgetting his own pain in the trouble of
his friends.
"Yes, it is the greatest misfortune that God
can send to u.s. said Wilhemina; but we
must endure it, for | can never be his wife
You already know that l shall soon be forced to
choose husband, and that my choice will lie
between you and the Duke of Weissenfels. |
cannot give you my heart Margrave; that is
beyond my power either to give withhold
but when the time comes, will give you my
hand and be your wife. Therefore have pity on
me and do not betray my secret"
RETRAY your secret!" exclaimed the Mar
grave still mopping his face; You do not
know yet-already. Betray your secret
Your request, my beautiful Princess is almost
an insult. know full well that if you love this
man, 1T IS because you cannot avoid it. He
| know, is my friend. If he loves you, it is be-
cause he has not the power to withhold his love.
There others-one other, at least-who
know that terrible truth by heartily heart!"
:" intended to tell you, if l married you"
continued Wilhelmina: but now you know it
all, and when | am your wife this man will
leave me and shall never see his face again. =.
The girl covered her face with her hands and
began to weep.
"When you are my wife he shall leave you =
said the Margrave, speaking gently, almost
dreamily. Aye when you my wife; but
but that shall never be-" A long pause ensued
then the Margrave continued. still speaking al
most would speak in sleep. IL
should bring unhappiness to you. If you were
to marry me. loving another. your heart would
ache to the day of your death. No, no, my
beautiful Princess, you do not know me. | shall
go to his Majesty tomorrow, before he offers me
your hand, and tell him that will not accept"
Then I'll fall to the Duke of Weissenfels,
said Wilhemina, vista of trouble sud-
denly opening up before her.
That is true; what shall do? Lfeber
HimmeL! What fate for a woman to face,
Weissenfels or mel Well. I'm better than Weis-
senfels, and if the worst comes to the worst
shall accept you and | have itl' cried
Adolph joyfully. Your father will order you
to choose between Weissenfels and me- You
oh, Wa oil II for