Smyrna times., 1911-12-20
A Royal Test
By EMMA L. SHANKLlN
Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation. 1911.

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 IA
ther informed her that he had agreed
to give her in marriage to the Grown
Prince Carl of Prussia.
"But / have never seen the prince"
she said
THAT las 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. aud she left the room.
What action his majesty took in the
matter was never known, but present
ly along came the crown prince of
Prussia with a 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 was much
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 were seldom seen together.
The truth is that Sophia received her
royal suitor coolly. 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 a very hand
some man and though this was his
chief attraction. he was universally
acknowledged to be lady killer.
Prince Carl did not seem to mind the
princess infatuatiOn bit. EIe 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 a 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-
tons of the subordinate when the
master had come to make application
- >------rS- --A-s---af.
One day after a 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 unfrequented place she was stopped
by a 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 a member of his suit. But as
a prince of the blood and a suitor fOl
your highness' hand it is unbecOming
of him to make any protest. there
fore take it upon myself to resent th'
insult thrust upon him. But to preven
a court scandal | deem it advisable t,
warn YOU Know then that If BaroI
Won Schelwig presumes to join yOV
hereafter ut any court function | vii
call him to account as offering an in
suit to my sovereign and my pros
Pective sovereign and shall kill him.
Your royal highness need not be =
fierce about it," said the princess. e
would not for the world jeopardize tn
life of the crown prince of Prussia"
You know mer'
II knew you the moment hear
your voice.
Carl tore off his mask with an e2
clamation of chagrin. Seeing the prir
cess smiling at him. he hung his heaC
Now that know my acceptance G
your subordinate's attentions are di!
tasteful to you. assure you. will NJ
again permit them"
Il regret my action. since it will 4,
prlve you of the company of th
man
Il do not love Won Schelwig."
Then why. may | ask, does a phi
cess of the royal house of Holland pc
init the attentions Of one holding II
lowest rank Of any of my suit?''
THAT | might discover the sent
ments of his MASTER
my sentiments. What do you kno
of them. except that | have. by n
fathers order. proposed for yoV
hand?'
WAS not obedience Of your roy
fathers order sufficient? Did yoi
duty to his majesty compel you
threaten to kill a member of your ov
suit. whose attentions have perm