Imperial Valley press., 1911-12-09
A Royal Test
BY EMMA l.. SiANKLlN
Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation, 1871.

The king of Holland-ali this hap
pened several centuries ago-sent Il
messenger to his daughter. the Prin-
cess Sophia. to say to her that his maj
esty commanded her to come to his
cabinet When she reached it her'fa-
to give her in marriage TO the Crown
Prince Carl of Prussia.
But have never seen the prince"
she said.
THAT has nothing TO do with the
matter" replied the king.
IF the prince wishes to marry me
| let him come and WOO me-" said the
! princess. and she left the room.
What action his majesty took in the
matter was never known, but present
/ ~ along came the crown prince of
/ Prussia with Il splendid retinue to
! ask the hand of the Princess Sophia.
| Nobody but. those most interested
knew what was going on except that
/ the prince had come on an errand of
marriage and that his stay wasjmuch
longer than was, customary on such
royal occasions. There were social
functions at the palace, but the crown
prince of Prussia and the princess of
Holland We're seldom seen together
The truth is that Sophia received her
royal suitor coolt. She neither con-
sented nor dissented from his propo-
sition for her hand. The prince SEEM
ed to consider the affair a diplomatic
one and spent his time in those diver
sions which occupy men alone, paying
very little attention to the woman he
sought for his wife.
The princess not only paid no atten-
ton to this neglect, but appeared to
be infatuated with Baron Won Schel-
wig, one Of the members Of the princes
suit. Won Schelwig was very hand
some man and though this was his
chief attraction, he was universally
acknowledged to be a lady killer.
Prince Carl did not seem to mind the
princess infatuation a bit. He hunted
and skated and played cards just the
same. The king Of Holland, to whom
the alliance was of great Importance.
every day dreaded that his royal high
ness would withdraw his application
for his daughters hand and return to
Germany in high dudgeon. But Carl.
who had made formal application on
his arrival. paid no further attention
to the matter, apparently waiting for
his reply from the government OF Hol-
land. Meanwhile. the encouragement
the princess gave Won Schelwig was
noticed by all the court. every one Won
dering how she could accept the atten-
tions of the subordinate when the
master had come TO make application
for her hand.
One day after hunting party which
was attended by both men and women
the Princess Sophia. who had kept
Won Schelwig in attendance upon her
during the entire day. the hunt being
finished, entered her carriage to dine
at the palace When passing through
an unfreQucnted place she was stopped
by q masked horseman. who rode up
to the window and addressed the prin-
cess:
THE crown prince of Prussia. who
has come to propose for your highness'
hand, is sensible of the slight put upon
him by Your acceptance of the atten-
tons OF member Of his suit. But as
prince Of the blood and suitor for
your highness' hand it is unbecoming
of him to make any protest. | there
fore take it upon myself to resent the
insult thrust upon him. But to prevent
a | hln tn
warn you. Know then that if Baron
Won Schelwig presumes to join you
hereafter at any court function | will
call him to account rs Offering an in
suit to my sovereign and my pros
pective sovereign and shall kill him"
Your royal highness need not be SO
fierce about it." said the princess. Il
would not for the world jeopardize the
life of the crown prince of Prussia"
You know me-"
Il knew you the moment I heard
your voice
Carl tore off his mask with an eX-
clamation of cha grin. Seeing the prin
cess smiling at him. he hung his head
'Now that know my acceptance of
tasteful to you, | assure you. will not
again permit them"
Il regret my action. since it will de-
prive you Of the company Of the
man
Il do not love Won Schelwig."
Then why. may | ask. does prin
cess OF the royal house of Holland per
init the attentions Of one holding the
lowest rank of any Of my suit"
THAT | might discover the senti
ments of his MASTER
"My sentiments. What do you know
Of them. except that I have. by my
fathers order. proposed for your
hand?'
"Was not obedience of your royal
fathers order sufficient? Did your
duty = his majesty compel YOU to
threaten to kill Il member Of your own
suit. whose attentions I have permit
ted?"
"The slight
"WOuld duel with an inferior wipe
Out that Sliphfc'