Evening star., 1909-05-30

speak of such matters to a stranger. but-but
since your timely help to my brother cannot
help feeling and hoping that you our friend.
We need friend. for. saving katt and Keith.
whose friendship IS stronger than their ludg-
ment we have no friends in all the world Even
the Queen, who loves dearly. is constantly
bringing trouble upon us Again the Princess
paused to regain composure 1t seems that
your days in Berlin have been days of triumph.
You have accomplished the wonderful feat OF
winning my father and my brother. and be-
lieve that IN all the world there is not another
man who could win both.
II thank your Highness and hope you are
right in saying that have won both the Prince
and the King. said Henry
II do want to say, continued the Princess
that when you win my brother. you of course
win me, And am you will not in anyway
misunderstood my words; but" again the
Princess paused. and Henry feeling that she
had not finished speaking. remained silent
but am wondering if it IS fair to allow you
who know nothing of the perilous conditions
here at court. to bear the dangerous burden OF
two such friendships Ny father and my
brother are to each other as oil and fire and be-
tween the two you will perish unless your ludg-
ment and discretion are greater than-than 1t
seems possible any man S can be.
Again the Princess paused ." suppose you
do not care for my advice, and cannot tell why
wish to you. but with all the need my
brother and have for your friendship. which.
for some reason. | am ready to believe Is true,
I do advise YOU not to remain in Berlin unless
you wish to take your stand on my father side
and against US Great misfortune surely awaits
us and all our friends. If you feel that the-the
curse of our friendship is to fall on you urge
you to leave Berlin without delay.
THE Princess with difficulty. finished speak
ing. and her words fell 50 heavily on Fritz
Henrys heart that he could not at once reply
Don't Care was right Nina certainly made
men pity her One at least was completely car
red off his feet by his yearnng to help the rare.
beautiful girl whose life was darkened by SO
much grief and trouble Presently he spoke in
low, earnest tones.
Il hope affairs are not SO bad as you sup.
pose but if they were thousandfold worse II
my life was in hourly peril. | should still remain
for the sake of being near your Highness. to
render what help could give In case OF need
The girl looked up to his face with surprise IN
her eyes. There was also gratitude; but she
did not speak and Henry continued.
II had heard your praises sung long before |
thought of coming to Berlin, but the song
poor tribute to-to-"
Il supposed you had come to Berlin invoun
tarily. interrupted Nina with evident desire
to change the subject
You right answered Henry II and
an old servant were surrounded by company
of rascals in the mountains when we were on
tourney There were SIX OF them and two OF US.
and was unarmed so surrendered uncondi-
t1OndHy MY servant was sent no1ne-d iOIlS
journey-to tell my father had been captured
by brigands. and was carried off having no
knowledge of my destination. | did not know
the reason for being taken till / met the Mar
grave of Schwedt at an inn few miles from
Berlin The Margrave's shrewd wits-shrewder
far than they appear to be-discovered the
truth and | learned from him that | was in
tended for the Grenader Regiment All Eu-
rope. of course. has heard of your fathers pc
culiar methods of recruiting for his favorite
regiment When learned that Berlin was my
destination and that had been kidnapped to
be made Grenadier was relieved of all fore
bodings. because knew could at once obtain
my release by disclosing to your father my
identity, and-and my nationality
Fritz Henry did not wish to reveal his iden-
tity to the Princess: but he felt that he must.
in way. follow up what he had saId concern
ing himself. even though he should mislead her
by untruth. SO he continued
Knowing that your father had recently had
trouble because of having kidnapped one of
King Georges subjects. felt sure he would be
only too glad to avoid similar complication
with the King of England, and knew he would
release me at once on my demand.
The Princess glanced swiftly at Henry's face
He thought she intended asking him if he
an Englishman, and. wishing to prevent the
question, he hurriedly continued:
Before seeing the King and-and yourself
in the Mirrored Chamber, | had made up my
mind to refuse to enter the regiment: but after
after seeing YOU A mans mind may take