Judith Gap journal. [volume] (Judith Gap, Mont.) 1908-19??, 1913-10-17
the departing courtiers.

the departing courtiers.
She was aroused from her wretched
musing a. some one touched her hand.
Turning. With start. she saw Raw.
thorne kneelinR at her feet.
You heard everything!'' she asked,
looking down ut him with q hopeless
misery. you have heard? And-and
you will forgive me for not having told
you who I am! I didn't want you to
know. was no tired Of being treated
with prim respect BY everybody. And
you weren't like any one I'd ever met
! was sick Of being princess. want.
ed to he Just girl for little while.
But now-l must always be a princess"
''That-that prince person." stam-
mered Hawthorne. "Have you ever
seen him before?"
NO" she answered. with q little
shudder.
And your father carelessly forces
yon to marry the guy when he knows
you hate him? Gee: The things pre-.
posterous. 1t could never happen in
America. l was tor butting in on the
game. but I realized l didn't hold the
cards. So stayed out"
What is your rank in America ?" she
asked curiOusly.
Citizen. That's nil. Names Anthony
Hamilton Hawthorne. Just those
three"
"Only an ordinary citizen?' she ask.
ed. disappointed.
mo. not an ordinary citizen An
American citizen. There's a big differ.
ence. And Im an American citizen
that's horribly in love with royal
princess. That makes It even more 30"
lin Borrovina no citizen would dare
fall in love with a princess"
I'm America there are plenty few
things q citizen wouldn't dare do. Be-
sides. l didn't fall in love with a prin.
cess. fell in love with little girl in
a tumbledown garden. And I'm not 60
ing to let her throw all her chances Of
happiness into the discard by marry.
ing guy like
"Rut I must marry him. It's for the
good OF Borrovina."
ITO blazex with Borrovina! There.
didn't mean to offend you. sweetheart!
BORROWINGS all right. gueSs. except
what happened to Il. But your little
fingers worth whole deck Of comic
opera countries like this"
How can you speak Of my dear land
In such way?" she Jared. 1.-THE land
! love beyond everything! This is my
first chance to serve my country. It IL
terrible task. Why do you make it
still harder for me:''
Make 1t still harder for your he
echoed in disn,ay. why. princess. I'd
give my whole life to help you. love
you: I'd
You mustn't love me-" she sobbed
"Oh. it's bitterly hopeless: Even II
were free | would never he allowed to
marry a mere citizen. Why. our law
forbids It,.
III | were king" he retorted. ''all
the laws on earth shouldn't forbid me
from marrying the girl ! loved"
You say that because you aren't a
king There's only one thing you can
do for me. Say '(soodby.'"
ooh" he protested, ii know I could
do more for you II only you'd let me.
And yet you say make it harder for
you. Why do you say that?"
| IF l tell you.' she answered slowly
Twill you go away aud not try to see
me again?"
IF l must-if you want me to-yes.'
''rhen." she returned. you can't helT
me. because I've decided what mus
do And you will make it harder fo1
me, because l--because | love yOu.'
"Princess!' he cried. throwing hi!
arms forward in alteration.
But she elllded his embrace.
"Remember your PROMISE sh'
warned him.
And the next moment she was gone.