Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-03-07
COpvriQht 1909, The BO6bs.MerrtH Company.

| you at the end-of a bayonet." solernnly
IF the duke learns its contents the in
| evitable result will be war.
A silence fell upon them and grew
| This was the bitterest moment but one II
! the chancellor's life.
Il believe" she said finally. that il
will not he necessary to read his maj
esty's letter. He declines the honor OF
my hand: is that not t?'
The chancellor signified that it was.
All, with a note of pride in her voice
/ and flash In her eyes. And II?
You will tell the duke that you have
changed your mind" gravely.
DO princesses change their minds like
| this?'
They have often done So
In spite of publicity?"
Yes. your highness.'
And if ! refuse TO change my mind?"
II am resigned to any and all events.
| War. Her face was serious. AND
| what has the king to suggest?
! He proposes to accept the humiliation
Of being rejected by you
/ why, this Is a gallant king. POuf
There goes a crown of thistledown." She
i smiled at the chancellor. then she laugh
ed There was nothing but youth in the
| laughter. youth and giadness. 'Oh.
knew that you We're good fairy. Lister
\ to me declare to you that I am hap
pier al this moment than | have been il
/ days. TO marry a man ! have never
4 seen. to become the wife of man who Is
nothing 10 me. whose looks, character
/ and habits are unknown: why, I have
! lived in a kind Of horror. You did not
| find me soon enough. there are vet some
popular ideas in my head which are
alien to the minds OF princesses. ! an
/ free" And she uttered the words at
with the breath Of spring.
| The chancelors shoulders dropped a
| trifie more. and his hand closed dowr
| over the letter. Otherwise there was nc
notable change in his appearance. He
| al p1lar5ipO MUSCLES IF his
face. Inscrutability is the first lesson OF
/ the diplomat, and he had learned II thirt,
years before.
There will be no war resumed hel
| highness. II know my father: our will:
may clash, but in this instance mine
| shall be the stronger
But this is not the end"
| You mean that there will be other
| kings" She had not thought of this
and some OF the brightness vanished from
| her face.
Yes, there will be other kings. | an
! sorry. What young girl has not heI
not have romances Yours. my child
| must be political marriage 1t is a
| harsh decree.
Have not princesses married com
| moners?'
| Never wisely Your highness will no,
make mistake like that"
| MY highness will will not marry
as she pleases. Am I chattel that
am to be offered across THIS frontier OF
| that
| The chancellor moved uneasily II
your highness loved out OF your class
which know YOU do not. should be
| worried
And if | did," with rebel tilt 10 hei
chin.
! It'll that moment arrives l shall not
; borrow trouble You will, then, tell the
duke that you have changed your mind
| that you have reconsidered?'
| This evening. Now. godfather. you
may kiss her serene highness on the fore
! head"
This honor TO me-" The chancellor
| trembled
! Even So
| He did not touch her with his hands
but the kiss he put on her forehead was
| a benediction
| ..You may 60 now, she said. for,
| shall need the whole room to dance i'll
| ] am free. If only for little wi1ile.
| Outside the door the chancellor paused
/ She was singing. II was the same aria
| he had heard that memorable night when
he found her in the dim garnet.