Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1909-04-29

NM 49, was not lntertile'
That was in the
early dawn of the middle ages. When
Philip of Elster took a notion to build
great castle on one of the tree de
nuded heights above the noisy Naar 1t
stood out in splendid solitude, a noble
work of man denied the crowning
charm which nature alone could fur
nish.
Philip realized all this when his
princely abode was finished and he
and his family had moved into 1t and
all was settled That he had made
mistake he would not admit even to
himself, but he spent hours in looking
down enviously on the great trees
which made a sylvan paradise Of the
lowlands on the opposite side Of the
river.
1t made him unhappy, of course. In
time it would have become his sorest
grief If something else had not stepped
in and forestalled 1t. That something
was the trying conduct Of his only
child and heiress, the Princess Barbe.
1t was not because she was not beau
tiful and clever and altogether salts
factory in most respects. She was all
these. and infinitely more. The Prin-
cess Barbe had one lamentable fault
when it came to choosing a husband
she could not make up her mind. That
of itself is sad weakness even in an
untitled maiden. For princess 1t is
positive calamity.
Sultors flocked to the Naarburg IN
troops. Barbe's beauty and wit were
the lure for all the eligible young men
In the country, and Philip of Elsters
wealth and position did not make his
heiress less attractive They came to
the Naarbsrg prepared to conquer, but
Barbe couldn't or wouldn't get inter
ested in them. She might have had
her pick among the best of them. but
when it came to the test she could not
settle on him.
''Why don't you choose for me?" she
laughed when her father tried to con
vince her Of her danger of becoming
a spinster.
81 am too old a fox TO be caught in
such a trap" he declared. IF that is
the cause of the delay you will die an
old maid sure enough. Choose you a
husband! Not II Not until the Naar
burg stands in a forest of its ownr
The princess was greatly amused at
her fathers vehemence. Should |
wait for that" she said. II am afraid
the habit Of single blessedness would
ha 1frA ho
shake II of"
More in sorrow than In anger Philip
went his way. and almost before he
was out OF sight the princess hit on
plan to divert him from his regret over
the forest and his disappointment over
her dilatorI matrimonial performances
1t came to her as a sort OF inspiration.
and she was so pleased with it that
she resolved to proceed at once to car
ry 1t into effect She summoned her
maid.
-Lisbeth," she asked, with an inter
est that caused the faithful servant
TO marvel greatly, ARE there any suit
ors today"
'More than one, my dear MISTRESS"
answered the maid. Even now the
Baron Bruno of Eppel is ascending to
the castle with a retinue-
HE is persistent" laughed the prin-
cess. II fancied 1 had disposed of
him"
'fHe is very handsome" sighed Lis
beth.
''He Is far too well aware of the fact,
Lisbeth. l am curious to know why
he has returned to the castle. When
he enters tell him that will see him.
Yes. 1 will see him although l told
him I hoped 1 had seen the last of
him"
Half an hour later Bruno was deep
in the business OF convincing the prin-