Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-05

I WILL NOT MAhhf fh1SSh rGnOiN
If the matrimonial proposition were &C
cepted, to restore to Crakovia the prov
ince that had been ceded.
King Ludwig was not only aston
ished at this remarkable offer; he was
delighted. Without consulting his
daughter in the matter he replied at
once that the proposition was &C
copied.
The deputation was about to return
with this reply when the princess was
informed that she was to take hus-
band she had never seen without hav-
ing been consulted. She at once mott
fed her father that she did not intend
to marry any one and she certainly
would not marry Prince Ferdinand
King Ludwig sent for his daughter
and informed, her that she must marry
the prince because on her doing so
depended the restoration Of the lost
province, whereupon Aline replied that
if hundred provinces could be gained
by her marriage still would she remain
a maid At this her father was so
dumfounded that he could voice no re-
ply.
When the deputation returned to An
covia and reported the failure OF this
second proposition King Philip was
both astonished and perplexed. The
laws of Ancovia with regard to the
marriages of members of the royal
family were very closely drawn. So
many provisions had been incorporated
into them that there was not single
princess of the blood in Europe except
Aline who was eligible. The king
called his son into his cabinet and told
with the words:
ct propose to declare war against
Crakovia and compel the princess to
marry you"
Father" said the prince thought
fully. there is an old saying that you
can take a horse to water. but you
can't make him drink. You may con-
quer Crakovia and annex it to your
kingdom. you may make the princess
a prisoner and force her to the altar,
but you can't make her say that she
will take me for her welded husband"
my son." replied the king after
weighing the princes words. you are
right. Such a course might succeed
with a man, but not with a wo-
man."
The Princess Aline being the only
daughter in the royal family, besides
being very attractive-though II was
known that she had a will Of her own
had been very popular till it leaked
out that she had refused in marriage
the crown prince of Aneovia, with the
lost province in the palm. The ces-
sion of this territory had been as sore
n point with the Crakovians as the sur
render OF Alsace and Lorraine with
the French. A century and half be-
fore the cession of Gaudix, Crakovia
had been obliged to cede one-half its
territory to Ancovia, and when eau
dix was lost to them they were broken
bearted For these reasons. when il
became known that Aline had refused
to give herself in exchange for Gaudix.
popular favor turned against her. and
she became as much hated as she had
before been beloved. She appeared as
usual in public places till her treat
r,ent by the people became markedly
disrespectful; then she retired to one
If her fathers country palaces. where
IT was understood she lived secfuu-
ed life.
One day Prince Ferdinand happened
to go through the room where his sis
tiers We're studying their lessons Under
their governess. His attention was ar
rested by the young woman. and under
pretense OF inquiring what the chill.
drcn We're studying he fell into con.
versatlon with their teacher. So pleas.
ed was he with her intelligence that he
made frequent visits to the school,
room and asked his mother, the queen.
IL the governess might not be admitted
to the social functions of the court.
The queen assented. and the prince an.
nounced the fact to the recipient of
the royal favor. To his surprise. the
latter declined the honor, saying that
her mind was concentrated ON the eeiu- !