The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1910-08-12
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When the Princess Chooses.
BY NELLIE CRAVEY GILMORE

swered.. choking down q sob, I'm three
months time it IL decreed that I be-
come his-wife." -.
The chauffeur regarded her mechan:*
ically for few seconds. DO you love
him. Barbara" he asked abruptly,
"this-gentleman?''
The Princess laughed in q grating
little fashion that did not in the least
belong to her.
1--WE Just a bit Of a right to the
question. haven't I. Princess. at the
-last?"
Love him." she cried, "why-why
I've never even looked upon him!"
And yet he Is willing to accept you
under those conditions"
''Oh, it is all arranged for US. Our
forefsthers were kind enough to put
themselves to that trouble. Over here.
we mortals are spared the necessity
Of attending to our own-love affairs"
TIE man was grave for a moment.
Presently he said: II happen to know
the duke very we'll indeed. as a man.
and I do not believe he would let you
marry him without the one great es-
sential. Right now. he is on his way
to Lorrimer house to-"
II know" she cut in sharply. "but
it is no use. l shall never marry him
If that is how he feels, for shall lack
the one essential for all time"
"The duke is different from lots of
men OF his class, Barbara. AS late
as six months ago. he never dreamed
that fate would conspire to place
coronet on his head; and therefore,
he has been little spoiled by pride Of
position"
The princess" looked up quickly.
"I-don't understand. His is an old
family, with famous pedigree"
There is quite an interesting bit
of romance connected with the new
dukes Inheritance Of the title. 1t
came to light only recently that Rob-
ert, fourth duke of ReveriV, had Sc
cretly married beautiful American
girl, concealing his identity even from
her during the short time she lived
10 months. He returned to New York
from visit home. to find, his wife
buried and the child vanished. 1t took
80 years to find the missing heir"
The "Princess' sighed deeply
Nothing can matter now" she inter-
posed, drearily. "Ah, 1t was a haplcss
day that inspired my adreaturesome
visit to America! If only I had been
the simple little girl you first thought
ME, instead-instead-"
Instead of a princess" be supple,
mcnted wistfully.
Not exactly princess" sac smiled,
"although you would have It SO. But
-" She paused, at suddes, loss for
words.
The chauffeur waited second, then
pulled cut his watch and st:died its
face intently. 1T is late. Pris:cess. We
had better START"
The girl hesitated little, then
without word, she moved toward the
big scarlet car that belongrd TO the
duke OF Reverly. Somehow, her foot
caught IN tangled bit Of grass and
she tripped. The chauffeur caught her
In his arms. For a momeS.t he held
her close, so close that be could feel
the quick throbbing Of her heart
against his own; the tremulous rush
of her warm breath against his cheek.
The touch Of her, helpless In his en-
brace, thrilled-intoxicated him, swept
away the last vestige of self-controi,
and he covered her eyes, her hair. her
lips, with kisses. I'm spite OK all, you
do care, you do!" he cried faercely, as
she struggled an instant, then yielded
herself to his caresses.
The Princess" opened her eyes at
last and met the mans own. II care
so much" she whispered, that shall
never, never marry the duke of Rev
erly."
The chauffeur released her reluctant
ly, and for a moment held her from
him with his eyes buried in hers. 1T
will mean the giving up Of a coronst,
Princess. Remember the risk you are
running when you choose me; obscur-
ity and checkered life"
A row of soft, pink t1nger-tips
stopped the words on his lips.
"A coronet fora crown" she
breathed. Jack! What is there for a
women to risk-when she becomes the
wife other king?"
Tho chauffeur bent and touched her
forehead reverently with his lips. Aft
erward, he drew from his pocket a
card and scrubbed few hasty liz -
across the back of it. This he fast
ened to the forward cushion of the
wrecked auto, and assisted the "Prin-
cess into the dukes car.
Several hours later, when the ex-
asperated Lord Henry returned from
his frHitless quest, he CHANGED upon
the following:
Dear Boy:
Il picked your sister up safe and
sound. We are on our way to Lori.
mer house. Will send the car back at
once
In haste. BEVERLY"