The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1909-09-09

our scene. o. 11Fse you could net
have known w1e - was.r
81 thought be was a. But In any
event, your highness, he was annoying
you," supplemented Chase eagerly.
You will forgive me II I've caused
you even greater, graver annoyance.
What can I do to set the matter right7
I can explain my error to the duke.
He'll understand"
"Perhaps--perhaps you'd better go
at once" said the princess. rather pa
thetically. my father viii not over
look the indignity toto my-to his
future son-in-law. am afraid he may
take extreme measures.
Forgive ms." muttered the hapiess
Chase.
ut would not be proper in me to
say that could bless you for what
you have DONE. she said. so naively
that he lifted his eyes to hers and let
his heart escape heavenward.
1.-THE whole world will call me a
bungllng, stupid ass for not knowing
who he WAS" said Chase, with a
wretched smile.
"If were you I'd never confess that
/ did not know who he was" she said.
LET the world think that you did
know. 1t will not laugh then IL you
can trust your friend to keep the Sc
cret am sure you can trust me to do
the same"
Again Chase was speechless-this
fiy,o xrtxb fo~ 2hA uyouII chfoId htr.
from ridiculel
"And now please go! 1t grieves me
to feel that may be the unhappy
cause Of misfortune to you"
mo misfortune can appall me now"
murmured he CALAMITY. Then came
the revolving realization that she was
to wed the little musician. The
thought burst from his lips before he
could prevent: " don't believe you
want to marry him. He Is the dukes
choice. YOU
"And am the dukes daughter" she
said steadily. touch of hauteur In
her voice. Good night Goodby.
am not sorry that 1t has happened"
She turned and left them, walking
swiftly among the trees. A moment
later her voice came from the shad.
ows. quick and pleading.
Hasten" she called softly. ~rhey
are coming can see them.-
ITS a devil of a mess" sighed
Baggs when they were far from the
walls "rm sure 1t will cost you your
Job, II nothing else. You'll be relieved
before tomorrow night. my word for
1t. And you'll be lucky II that's ALL
The DUKES a terror. l don't for the
life of me see how you failed to know
who the chap really Is"
An Englishman never sees q Joke
until 1t is too late, they say. This
time 1t appears to be the American
who is slow witted. What don't un-
derstand Is why hs was leading that
COMPOUNDED band"
my word. Chase, everybody In Eu-
rope except you, knows that Brabetz
Is a crank about music-composes. di
reefs and all that. He's a COMPOUNDED
little bounder Just the same. He's
mad about music and women and
doesn't care hang about wine-the
worst kind, don't you know. / say It's
a shame she has to marry him. But
that's the way Of 1t with royalty, old
chap. You Americans don't understand
1t. They have to marry one another
whether they like 1t or not But,
say, you'd better come over and stop
with me tonight 1t will be better If
they don't find you just yet"
Three days later q man came down
to relieve Chase OF his office. He was
unceremoniously supplanted In the
duchy of Rapp-Thorberg.
1t was the successful pleading of the
Princess Genevra that kept him from
serving a period In durance vile.
Continued Next Week