Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-11-24


corps q fool
II waive my rank"
VERY well: Will send one OF my
comrades TO your royal highness i'm
mediately."
There were but two other persons
in the room at the time. and the
prince gave them the choice between
keeping the matter secret and incur
ring his royal displeasure. Both per-
sons promised not to tell, but the ar
fair leaked out and was soon the talk
OF the court. The prince and the cap
tain were regarded respectively as the
champion OF. the princess and the
countess.
Never before was such a hubbub
raised in a court Of Germany. The
king was furious. He at once issued
an order combining both his son and
the captain in a fortress till he could
be assured that they would not fight
He visited the room where the peaches
were on exhibition and. seeing that the
one that had been made by the princess
was a far more beautiful fruit than
that made by the countess. felt sure
it would be pronounced so by an
versy would be ended permanently.
So he gave orders that the next day
at noon the election should take place
and that Prince Herbert and Captain
Won Helmsmuller should be present
From 8 till II the next morning the
room where the peaches were deposited
was thronged with members of the
court. The princess stood near her
work and the countess near hers. Just
beyond the cord before tire princess
stood Prince Herbert, and in the same
relative position on the other side
stood Captain Won Helmsmuller. each
champion glaring at the other At
- o'clock the voting commenced
There was not the slightest doubt as
to which would win. for the admira-
ton for the Princess Sofas work was
unbounded, while Hildegarde's was pro
nounced miserable. shriveled little
thing of no merit whatever.
At IL o'clock the king ordered the
two champions to act ms tellers, and.
taking their hats in their hands. they
collected the votes. The chamberlain
counted them and when he had finish.
ed announced the result:
Her royal highness' work has re-
ceived eighty-seven votes and the
Countess Hildegarde's one"
The prince turned and greeted the
captain with an insulting laugh. The
captain threw his glove at the prince
and struck him squarely in the face.
The king, seeing his son thus attacked,
indignant at such an affront 10 one of
royal blood. gave his royal sanction 10
A. 20 Inny
the room when the Countess Hide
garde advanced and, kneeling before
him, said
at has been decided. your majesty,
that I retire from the field of wax
making. 1t only remains to assure
these hotheaded champions that they
have no cause for quarrel Will your
ma jesty deign TO inspect the fruit that
have Produced"
Receiving the royal assent, she rose
and, going TO her work, raised the
glass cover and took out the peach.
Then, advancing to the king, she broke
it in two halves, juice dropping on the
floor, and, putting one half in her
mouth. she gave the other to his maj
esty.
Its a real peach"
Then, putting the fruit in his mouth.
he smacked his lips. ITS good, too:
better than it looks" he exclaimed.
For n few moments the assembly
stood gazing at one another shame
facedly Then those nearest the door
began to slip out, followed by the
others. till none were left but the king,
the prince, the princess and the count
PISS.
MY son." said the king, give the
captain your hand"
The prince hesitatingly did as. he
was hidden. and the captain. delighted
hat his beloved Hildegarde had shown
higher skill than In working wax,
,rasped the princes hand warmly
Then the king said TO Hidegarde:
II am convinced that by your wis
ION and adroitness you have ended {.
eud which If it had continued would
lave spread over my whole kingdom.
What can l do for you 70 show my APP
,recfation Of the service you have rem
Ieredf"
"A boon, your majesty cried Won
Let me receive the re
yard"
He looked at the countess, who,
Gushing and Laughing Mt the same
me. by a nod assented to his request
Il ask your majesty" said the cap
ain. that / be rewarded with the
ldy's hand"
Hildegarde bowed her head and said
othing.
BE It So" said the king.
The Princess Sofa swept hnugh-
ly out Of the room. Within few
avs the court circular announced her
etrothal with Prince Herbert.
And that was the last OF the feud Of
le workers in wax.