The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-07-16

thing to live for, gentlemen. I've seen her but three times, and I don't seem able to shake off the spell. You've never seen such hair. Cad, it's as near like the kind that Henner painted as anything human could be, except that it's more like old gold, if you can understand what I mean by that Not bronze, mind you, nor the raw red, but-oh, well, Pm not a novelist, so I can't halfway describe it. She's rather tall-not too tall, mind you five feet five, I'd say-whatever that is in the metric system. Slender and we'll dressed-Oh, that's the strangest thing of all! Well dressed! Think of a princess being weHdressed! I'd say she's twenty-two or twenty-three years of age-not a minute older. l think her eyes are very dark gray, almost blue. Her skin is like a-a-oh, let me seei What is there that's as pure and soft as her skin? Something warm, and pink, and white, dye see? Well, never mind And her smile. And her frown! You know, I've seen both of 'em, and one's as attractive as the other. She's a real princess, gentlemen, and the prettiest woman I've ever laid my eyes upon. And to think of her as the wife of that bIithering little ass, that nincompoop of a Karl Brabetz! She loathes him, Pm sure-I know she does. And she's got to marry him.! That's what she gets for being grand dukes daughter. Brabetz is the heir apparent to some duchy or other over there and is supposed to be the catch of the season. You've heard of him. He was in Paris this season and cut quite a fgure-a prince with real money in his purse, you know. I won- der why it is that our American girls can't marry the princes who have money instead of those who have none. Not that I wish any of our girls such bad luck as Brabetz! I'll stake my head he'll never forget me!' Chase concluded with a sharp, reflective the escapade which inspired it was be- ing slyIy discussed in every embassy in Europe.
 But to return. The advent of the princess put fresh life into the slow going city and court circles. Charm ing people whom Chase had never seen before seemed to spring into ex- istence suddenly; the streets took on a new air., the bands played with a keener zest, and the army prinked it. self into a most amazingly presentable shape. Chase could hardly believe his success. He lifted up his chin, threw out his chest, banished the look of dis content from his face and announced to himself that Thorberg was not such a bad place after all.
 For days he swung blithely through the streets, the hangdog look gone from his eyes, always hoping for an- other glimpse of the fair sorceress who had worked the great transfor- nation. It was two weeks before he saw her the second time. He was more enchanted by her face than be- fore, especially as he came to realize the astonishing fact that she was kind enough to glance in his direction from time to time.
 It was during the weekly concert in the Kursaal late one night. She came in with party, among whom he rec ognized several of the leading person ages at court.
 Chase sat at table with the French attache just below the box occupied by the princess and her party. In spite of the fact that he was a gentle man born and bred he could not con quer countless impulses to look at the flower face of the royal auditor.
 Gradually the program led up to the feature of the evening, the rendition of great work under the direction of famous leader, a special guest of the music loving duke
 Chase arose and .cheered with the assemblage when the distinguished di- rector made his appearance. Then he proceeded to forget the man and his genius-in fact, everything save the rapt listener above him. She was lean- ing forward on the rail of the box, her chin in her hand, her eyes looking steadily ahead, enthralled by the mu- sic. Suddenly she turned and looked sQuarely into his eyes, as if impelled by the magnetism they unconsciously employed. A little flush mounted to her brow as she quickly resumed her former attitude. Chase cursed himself for a brainless lout.
 The number came to an end, and the crowd arose to cheer the lowing, smil- ing director. Chase cheered and shout ed "BravoH' too. because she was ap- plauding as eagerly as the others. She called the flushed, lowing director to her box and Publicly thanked him for the pleasure fH had given. Chase saw him kiss her hand as he murmured his gratitude. For the first time in his life he coveted the occupation of an orchestra leader.
 The director was a frail, rather good looking young man, with piercing black eyes that seemed too bold in their scrutiny of the young lady's face. Chase began to hate him. He was un- reasonably thankful when he passed on to the box in which the duke sat.
 The third and last time he saw the Princess Genevra before his sudden, spectacular departure from the grand duchy was at the dukes reception to the nobility of Rapp-Thorberg and to the representatives of such nations of the world as felt the necessity of hay ing man there in an official capacity