Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-03-24
CHAPTET XX.-Continued.

CHAPTET XX.-Continued.
Her highness was dreaming. She had
fallen into this habit Of late. flame in
the fireplace. cloud in the sky, a dash
of rain on the window, all these drew her
! fancy. What the heart wishes the mind
| will dream. Sunshine was without. clear,
brilliant; shadow was within. mellow.
| nebulous. But today her dream was
short. A maid Of honor announced that
the young woman Gretchen sought her
presence.
admit her. She will be a tonic" said
Hildegarde.
Gretchen appeared, red-eyed and dis
| hcveled. Instantly she flung herself at
the feet of the princess.
why, Gretchen
| They will not let me see him, high
| ness" Gretchen choked.
What has happened, child?"
They have arrested him as spy from
Jugendheit. and he is innocent. Save him.
highness!'
How can / save him."
He is not a spy
| That must be proved, Gretchen. 1
cannot go to the stein-schloss and order
them to liberate him. She lifted
1TetCHcH TO ueT Ieet.
Il have been there and they will not
| let me see him. love him so!''
Il can arrange that for you. 1 will go
| with you myself to the prison.
Thanks. highness, thanksv' Gretchen
! was hysterical.
| The stein-schloss had been the feudal
keer; now it served as the city prison.
Its grim gray stones were battle-scarred
NlnH Of <2NAv, 4r,v
| huge bolts and bars and narrow Sits in
| the stone for windows. The prison was
both civil and military, but was patrolled
| and sentineled by soldiers. The king and
on the ground floor. These cells were
| dry. and light entered from the modern
| windows in the wall of the corridor. The
| princess and her protege were admitted
| without objection. The sergeant in charge
| of that floor even permitted them to 60
| into the corridor unattended.
| Voices.
"Hush.'' whispered her highness press
ing Gretchen's arm.
''Ach! Wall dear nephew, beat your
hands upon the bars. curse, waste your
breath on stone. Did 1 not warn you
| against this very thing when you pro-
posed this mad junket? Well, there are
two of us. A fine scandal! They will
| laugh at us for months to come
| Woe to the duke for this affront!'
Gretchen started to speak, but the prin-
cess quickly put her hand over the goose
girls mouth
"Ha! So war is gathering in your
| veins?"
81 will have revenge for thisr'
Good! Bang-bang! Slash and cut!
War Is great invention-on paper.
Come, my boy: you were sensible enough
! when they brought us here. Control your
self. Be king in all the word implies.
For my part, L begin to see.''
And what do you see?"
| Il see that the duke knows who we
are. even if his police do not. He will
| keep us here day or two. and then mag
| unanimously liberate US with profuse
apologies. We shall be escorted to, the
frontier with hOnors. His highness loves
| a jest too well to let this chance escape.
| ian hand of Herbeck. 1 have always
| heard that he was great statesman.
| Swallow your wrath, even IL your tongue
| goes down with it..
"Gretchen, Gretchen said the king
Gretchen could stand it no longer. She
:yrenched herself free from the grasp OF
the princess, who. with plying heart, I'M
derstood all now. Poor, unhappy
Gretchen! sfse
Here / am. Leopold the goose girl
| cried, pressing her body against the bars
| and thrusting her hands through them.
The devil!' murmured the man In the
other cell. e1s
..sYou here. Gretchengf The king COW
Yes, yes! They have made q dreadful
| mistake. You are no spy from Jugend-
| heit."
mo. Gretchen" said the voice from the
next cell. HE is far worse than that.
| He is the king. Gretchen, the king
'Uncle! in anguish.
LET us have it over with" replied
Prince Ludwig. sadly.
The king;' Gretchen laughed shrilly.
The king, still holding her hands, look
| ed down.
Leopold" plaintively.
| Still he did not speak, still he averted
his head. But God knew that his heart
was on the rack.
The princess. remaining in, the back
ground, not daring to interfere, felt the
smart of tears in her eyes. An, the poor
| tender little goose girl. The pity of it.!
This king was scoundrel.
Leo. look at me! You are laughing!
Why, did we not work together in the
vineyards. and did we not plan for the
future? All, yes! You are a king only
to me. l see. But it is cruel jest, Leo.
pold. Smile at me! Say something's"
Gretchen was hanging to the bars now:
her body, held in the wise Of growing
terror. was almost dead weight.
Gretchen, forgive met despairingly.
He asks me to forgive him. DULY.
For what?"
For being a villain! Yes" his voice
| keen with agony. II am the King Of
Jugendheit. But am I less a man for
that? All, God help me- I have right
| to love like other men! Do not doubt me,
Gretchen: do not think that played with
you. l love you better than my crown;
better than my honor!.
Take care. nephew" came Prince Lud-
J wigs warning. Some one else is near"
II care not! Before all the world 1
! would gladly proclaim it. I love her. l
swear that I shall never marry, that my
heart is breaking. Gretchen, Gretchen.
My God. she is falling! Help her! wild
| ly. and he shook the bars with super
natural strength till his hands were
| bleeding.
| But Gretchen did not answer.