The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1910-08-25
A Prince Prisoner
BY FREDERICK BINGHAM
Copyright. 1910 by American Press
Association


and dukedoms. These former rulers
are still called princes and dukes, but
their power has been merged In the
king There was formerly grand
duke OF one Of these little territories
whose power was absolute and who
used It simply to crafty this poison
passion which pervaded Italy at that
time. He had a way at a feast of
honoring guest In this wise: He
would send his glass to the guest with
his compliments. proposing to change
glasses with him, The guest who &C.
cepted the honor would then rise. bow
and drink from the dukes glass. The
wine In 1t would be poisoned and the
last the guest would ever drink.
The dukes domain took In a princi-
pality adjoining ON the south, the duke
having poisoned all the members Of
the reigning family--save one princess
and then appropriated their domin-
ion. This princess he brought to his
capital and desired to, marry her that
he might unite the two countries un-
der common dynasty. She was un-
willing. and through motives OF policy
he preferred to wait rather than force
her into the proposed marriage
One night while the grand duke was
sitting at table on q raised dais, a
number OF guests seated at tables be-
meath him, the door opened and a
| stranger walked In. unannounced and
unlimited There was vacant chair
beside the princess. and after deferen-
TALLY asking her permission he accept
ed 1t and at once entered upon an ami
mated conversation with her.
The grand duke looked on aston
ished and mad with jealousy. While
he was homely and misshapen, tho
stranger was astonishingly handsome.
He paid no more attention to the host
than IL he had not been present. The
duke turned to one Of bis attendants
and ordered a glass Of wine The at
tendant, who was the official poisoner.
went out and In few moments re-
turned with glass OF wine on a
salver.
Take 1t to the stranger" said the
duke, with my compliments, and say
that | would pledge him with an ex-
change of glasses"
The glass. with the message. was
carried to the stranger, who took the
former from the salver, arose and adj
dressed the duke;
at would be boldhess indeed for me
to drink your hIghness' wine when the
lady whom you are expected to honor
with your sovereign hand Is beside
me. VIII therefore pass the cofnpli-
lnent to her"
Holding the dukes glass In one hand
and his own In the other. he was about
to offer the dukes to the princess when
the duke Numbered: {EGl
who are you who dares insult us
by refusing our ducal favorf"
The stranger set both glasses on the
table and replied:
81 ask your highness' pardon. Have
l offendedTS
"You have"
Then I apologize. The offense was
unintended."
Taking one Of the glasses from the
table, he placed 1t on the salver, and II
was taken to the duke, who, half In.
toxicated as he was and irritated with
the man who might have cost the
princess Der life. as soon as he saw
that the stranger had pledged him
drank it down. In a few minutes bis
eyes were starting from his bead. hi:
face became purple his tongue pro
truded, he fell over dead.
Then at signal from the stranger
several men from among the guests
starting from their seats. drew theft
swords and stood beside him.
'My friends" said the stranger, ad
dressing the company. Il am the only
legitimate living male heir to one bali
this dhkedom. For years have been
waiting for the tyrant to ALLEVIATE you
his subjects. that might reclaim my
own. BY sleight Of hand changed
the glasses after setting them 90 the
table and sent him back bis own glass
He has come to his end by drinking
his own poison, announce myself
Prince of O.. which | declare n sep
arate principality. and these gentle
men who have gathered around ms
ara my ministers The princess. ms
cousin. will return with me to my cap
ital." de
Then the stra nger offered his arm t
the princess. the men who had joined
him surrounded them, and they walked
out Of the room They had not reached
the door before the company, glad Il
be rid OF the ducal poisoner and i'm
pressed by the noble mlen OF tn,
Prince Of O., broke forth in actlama
lions
BY the time the pop1lace learnes
that the duke was dead the Prince Of
G., his cousin and bis supporters hat
mounted horses that were STANDING
ready and were galloping across The
border. At sunrise from severa
towers" as those medieval strong
holds were called, the prince was pro
claimed sovereign OF c.. and his al
hsrents sprang TO arms to enforce BIZ
claims.
But tbs dukedor, remained united