Evening star., 1909-06-20

on his immense spectacles read it.
That is about what she said to me said the
Margrave signing and smiling. Il wish she had
written it! Let me keep the note 1t is not adj
dressed to you. | will make myself believe it was
written to me- and how happy shall be! III kiss 1t
every hour in the day!
Henry regretted to part from the note, for it would
make him happy, too; but if she had used the Ian
guage of the note to the Margrave the words referred
by the Princess might be those uttered by Henry
on behalf of Fritz at The Tabagie. Henry was be
ginning to doubt the meaning of the note, and
not have been the right one He did not want the
Margrave to know that he greatly valued the writ
ing SO he said
Keep it, Margrave.
A DOLPH tried to kiss Henry's cheek; but could
not reach it by ten or twelve inches, SO he kissed
Once more ! am happy. No longer am jealous
| thought for a moment that you had fallen in love
with her, and that she had fallen in love with YOU
but now know was wrong. To lose her and to lose
nv friend both in moment would have broken
my heart"
Henrys conscience smote him when he considered
the truth of the Margraves suspicious and the stead
fastness of his affection You at least have lost
your friend Margrave' said Henry.
No., returned Adolph; but | wish l could
change my rank and title for your form and face
Then you would never win the Princess
swered Henry, laughing.
That is true, true returned Adolph, signing
After moment reverie, he continued, i am going
win not only her but her love! told you should
when first met you at the inn l thought then
loved the Princess but, lieber HinrD'el my friend
| did not know the meaning of the word Now
know it all too Well and | do believe Ill die if
fall"
You said you would not marry her against her
will, if she did not love you suggested Henry.
Yes, and l meant it at the time, returned
Adolph signing and rubbing his face with the great
red handkerchief II should mean it now too. if my
sacrifice would save her. but listen, friend listen.
She had better marry me than to be cursed all her
lifelong with Weissenfes. | am you see the less of
two evils. am, in fact the least of all the evils that
beset the Princess .Ach GoH !" continued the Mar
grave laughing and shaking his head with disgust
there's an honor, there's privilege, there's glory,
for you! To be the least of all evils Who could ask
more? have always thought that mans ambition
should prompt him to be great even though he can
be only great evil like Grumkow Weissenfels;
but here am |; SO fallen and SO degraded SO humbled
by love, that am content, ah, delighted to be
the least of all evils! What very publican l am
Again Adoph paused in revere, holding his
handkerchief halfway to his face. He breathed
sigh and continued his speech, which had become
is it worth while, this life we all strive to live:
Did God really do us kindness in placing here,
and, when pray to live, should we not rather say
with the priests Thy will be DONE and the quicker
the better? Is DEATH after all, evil, it the
greatest blessing that come to us, and
constantly running from 1t to our own undongs
Ach Goh! don't know and don't care. But this
| do know, that poor suffering humanity would have
missed infinite deal of pain, trouble, and degrada
tion if the Creator had seen fit to leave love out OF
hearts and imagination out of our brains. But
have the proud distinction of being the least of all
evils and if the Princess does not love me,
clearly my duty to marry her and her from the
worst of all evils. | have spoken-nuch."
WILL the King force her to marry Weissenfels if
w YOU refuse the hand of the Princess?" asked
Henry
The King is determined to have both his daugh-
tiers married very soon answered Adolph. II am
sure the English marriage is broken off forever
Nothing that the Queen do will change his Maj
estys purpose. The official notice of withdrawal
will be sent this week, and the Princess will be given
xf
tween Wessenfels and me-
The Margrave paused and turned appealngly to