Evening star., 1909-06-20
A GENTLE KNIGHT
OF OLD NDENBURG
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Continued from page 10

| looked wistfully into his face, and after long
pause went on, " Put my love out of the queS-
| ton. | am willing to die for her or to live for
| her ask you to tell me which | shall do
God only knows, my noble Adolph! an
swered Henry. If Weissenfels is her only
alternative, you must marry her.
Il agree with you, returned Adolph sorrow
| fully. Il have pondered much the question.
| l have even prayed,-yes, |, who do not believe
| in prayer, have prayed,-and l have come to
this conclusion agree with you. Poor girl
| and-and lieber HimDreU poor mel"
Noble you! Grand you'll said Henry,
| taking the Margrave's hand.
Don't. DON'T" pleaded Adolph, snatchlng
his hand from Henrys grasp. Don't speak
SO to me, or III cry like woman like baby!'
HENRY, too, for many reasons, was deeply
- affected, and, wishing to change the sub
| ject to that would be Indifferent to him,
said, You say the King has determined to
| have both his daughters married? Whom has
| he selected for Princess Charlotte?'
"Ach my friend, now may be sorry for you.
You have, fear, learned to love the little Prin
| cess
. am happy to say that your fear is ground
less, and that do not stand in need of your
sympathy" answered Henry.
"Of course you would deny it y returned the
Margrave, winking knowingly at his friend
Il might deny it even if true, said Henry;
but it is not true, and l assure you that
L
care whom she weds l am simply curious to
know who has been selected for her husband.
| 1t is matter of indifference to me.
mo one has been definitely selected" re-
turned Adoph; but l heard the Queen say
she would be content with one the King has
mentioned, one with whom Princess Charlotte
seems delighted, the hereditary Prince of Bay
reuth.'
THE new topic was less Indifferent to Henry
than he had supposed it would be. 1t was
| so intensely interesting that he could not for
| moment grasp the thought. The offer OF
| Princess Charlotte's hand to the hereditary
| Prince, if made, would have to be accepted, or
| Frederick Williams heavy hand would fall
on helpless Bayreuth. Our Henrys life was
| becoming complex but the last evil that
| threatened him would, if it came to pass,
effectually solve all problems and reduce all
| complications to a painful state of simplicity.
When, where. and how, in Gods name, did
! the scheme of marriage with the Prince of Bay
| reuth originate?' asked Henry, trying to speak
| calmly.
Il believe it was suggested week ago by
Princess Charlotte herself" answered Adolph.
The King told her he intended to have her
| married soon, and she, very much pleased, said,
Oh do find me husband! There is the heredi-
| tary Prince of Bayreuth, who, have heard, is
a large and very handsome - The very
| mani cried his Majesty. What says Feekln!
asked the King, turning to his wife. The
| Queen for once in her life, agreed with her
| husband, and after discussing the question for
| a few minutes it easily settled between
| their Majesties and the Princess. Don't Care
is much more stubborn and wilful than her Sis
| ter, and Frederick William knows that he might
kill the little Princess, but he could not force
her to marry against her will Even the King
is powerless when Don't Care says / WON'T!
| and he is practically helpless when she says
will!' Therefore. in choosing husband, their
Majesties will consult her; for her consent will
be an essential element"
"Have negotiations been opened?" asked
| Henry anxiously.
| Il think not returned the Margrave. Ne
gotiations of that nature usually are born and
discussed in The Tabagie. There was men
tion of it last night, you know Princess
| Charlotte is only seventeen. and perhaps the
King is not in SO great hurry to marry her off
as he thinks he is. The thought has got into the
| Princess head, and she will probably bring the
marriage about, she seems to have heard that
| the hereditary Prince is rare. fine fellow.
understand that he is very poor, very long, very
| lean. and very stupid,-dull and heavy in the
| head. you understand"
| Henry nodded to intimate that he under
stood. and the Margrave continued:
| If the Princess learns that the hereditary
| Prince is a disagreeable person and fool, all
| negotiations will be broken off, for thousand
Frederick Williams could not force that little
| mite of girl into marriage that did not suit
L bar cba1 fha truth