Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-02-27
CHAPTER III-Continued.

1T is only a sound. my dear. do not
let il delude you. Herbeck advises this
alliance. and while l realize that his judg-
ment is right. my whole soul revolts
against it. But al depends upon you"
Would it benefit the people? Would it
be for the good of the state"
Here was reason. Yes. my objections
ara merely personal said the duke.
For the good OF my country. which l
love, I am ready to make any sacrifice.
J shall think it over
Very well, but weigh the matter care
fully. There is never any retracing a
step of this kind He stood up. his
heart heavy. Saying no more he moved
toward the door.
She gazed after him, and suddenly and
silently she stretched out her arms. her
eyes and face and lip, learning with love.
Curiously enough. the duke happened to
turn. He was at her side in moment
holding her firm in his embrace.
You are all l have. girl with a bit
OF break in his voice.
My father She stroked his cheek.
When he left the room il was with
lighter step.
The restoration Of the Princess Hide
garde of Ehrenstein had been the sensa-
ti0n of Europe. as had been in the earlier
days her remarkable abduction. For sin
teen years the search mad gone on fruit
lessly. The Cleverest aGyenturesses on
tie continent tried devious tricks to palm
themselves off as the lost princess From
France they lad come. from Prussia
Italy. Austria. Russia and England. But
the duke and the chancellor held the Sc
oSet. unknown to any one elsa loclSet.
In garnet in Dresden the agents of
lierbeck found her. a singer in the
chorus of the opera. The newspapers
acd Illustrated weeklies ragged about her
f4r while elaborated the story of her
struggles. the mysterious remittanceS
which had. from time to time saved her
from direst poverty, her ambition. her
education. which. by dint of hard work.
she had acquired. II was all very puz-
zlIng and interesting and romantic. For
THAT purpose had she been stolen. and
" whom? The duke accused Franz of
Jugendheit. but he did so privately.
Search as they would, the duke and the
chancellor never traced the source. Of the
r>mittances The duke held stubborniy
that the sender OF these benefactions was
moved by the impulse of guilty con-
acience. and that this guilty conscience
was In Jugendheit. But these remit
tances, argued Herbeck. came long after
the death of the old king. He lad his
agents. vowed the duke. Herbeck would
rot listen to this. He preferred To be-
lleve that Count Won Arnsberg was the
nan.
There was endless tangle of red tape
before tie girl became secure in her
rights But finally, when William of
Prussia and Franz Josef OF Austria con
graduated the duke. everybody else fell
tito line. and every troop in the duchy
came 10 Dreiberg 10 the celebration. Then
the world rar away in pursuit OF other
adventures and forgot all about her Sc
rene highness.
And was she happy with all this gran
ceur. with all these lackeys and attentions
and enyirons? Who can say? Sometimes
she longed for the freedom ard lack-care
Of her Dresden garnet. her musician
friends, the studios. the crash and glitter
of the opera. To be suddenly deprived
Of the fruits OF ambition. TO reach such
a pinnacle without striving. TO be no
longer independent, somehow II was all
tasteless with the going of the novelty.
She looked like a princess. she moved
and acted like one. but after the manner
OF kindly fairy princesses In story books
All fell in love with her. from the groom
who saddled her horse TO the chancellor
VINO up 10 this time was known never &c
have loved anything but the state.
She was lovely enough to inspire fervoi
ana homage and love in all masculine
minds. She was witty and talented. Car
nichaeI said she was one of the most
beautiful women In Europe. Later ne
nnodified this statement by declaring tina,
she was the most beautiful woman in Eu