Evening star., 1909-06-06


The Prince and Fritz Henry soon made their
bows to the Queen, and they were passing
out Don't Care ran to Henry side and spoke in
an undertone:
Don't forget Don't Care tomorrow MORN
ing"
Henry glanced toward Nina, and saw that she
had heard Don't Cares words.
When the King and the Margrave had de-
parted, the Queen spoke sharply to Wihelmina,
saying. Why did you give your hand to the
stranger to kiss \ on as good as married to
Prince Frederick.
IF were married mother. answered Nina
there could be no harm in what | did, He
kissed your hand and Don't Cares
Don't answer me: but go to bedp' cried the
Queen.
Nina and Sonnsfeld glad to be dismissed
hurriedlv left the room
NEXT morning, Fritz Henry awakened to a
~ day of trouble because a beautiful Princess
had made trvst with him He cared little for
Don't Cares beauty. and the girl had nothing
else to recommend her On the other hand her
evident i'll feeling for her sister Wilhelmina an
tagonized Henry. He felt that the younger
Princess not only did not love her sister, but, in
a way shared her fathers aversion.
Henry suspected, too, that notwithstanding
her simplicity and vivacity, Don't Care had in
herited at least part of her fathers bad tenn
per, and felt sure that occasion might easily de-
velop it. In short Henry was far from wishing
to meet the little Princess at the new fountain,
even had it not been dangerous adventure. A
secret meeting with one of the royal Princesses
was an honor that none but reckless man
would wish to accept, though there seemed to
be no way for Henry to refuse it. 1t is true that
Berlin was the most democratic court in the
world, and that any rutfian might, under GER
tain conditions, gain access to the royal family:
1t was equally true that Don't Care allowed
to exercise the liberty of a burgher girl, and IN
many instances had been guilty of imprudences
from which burgher girl would have shrunk.
Still she was Princess royal and to meet her
at the new fountain might, if discovered prove
to be costly piece of gallantry. But Henry
could not we'll remain away; SO he determined
to 90 to the fountain. and to act as prudently
as possible within the circumstances.
A LII that is necessary to give of the interview
between the couple IS a small portion to
show the girls feeling toward him. and to
throw light upon its consequences
"Ah here you are!' cried Don't Care, run
ming down the path, looking like the Spirit OF
Morning She came quickly to Henry, placing
her hands farniliarly on his shoulders
He stepped back and bowed respectfully.
'Oh. you need not be SO respectful and dis
tant!" cried Don't Care. smiling and dimpling
exquisitey- mo one can see us The trees and
the shrubbery effectually conceal us.
" But there are leaves on the trees, re-
turned Henry. " and fear may be observed"
Il don't care, and, if that is true, should you
care, Most men would be proud of such
chance with Princess Don't Care.
II should be, your Highness-
Don't say your Highness; say Don't
Care, That is my TOTO you" inter
rupted the Princess. You see, we have ad-
vanced rapidly in-in our friendship"
Il wish dared tell you how highly | value
your Highness condescenson and the favor
you show me. But fear-I fear You must
know that if your father was to discover-was
to know of your great condescension, of your
willingness to grant me the favor of calling you
Don't Care, and the great pleasure of meeting
you here, his Majesty would be angry, and the
result might be ruin to me, perhaps death.
Would you not risk death for your lady
love-" asked Don't Care, looking up to Henry
with an expression in her eyes half mrthful,
half wistful ANY true knight would
Il might risk all, your Highness, if condi-
tions different; but a wise man. though
brave, runs away from danger against which
there is no defense. should not have come to
meet your Highness had listened to the die
tates of prudence. and | beg permission to
leave YOU"
Henry began to walk backward down the
path, retreatng from the fiery little beauty;
but she ran after him, uttering love cry.
Tell me, at least, before you go that you
care-that you would stay if you dared!' whis
pered Don't Care pleadingly.
1t would have been hard and perhaps dan
gerous for Fritz Henry to tell the Princess the
truth; so he evaded direct answer by saying,
"If your Hghness of my rank, or was
of yours, / should be only too glad Oh l beg