Bridgeton pioneer., 1914-11-12
A
Lovers S Test
By LOUISE B. CUMMINGS

tion called on the reigning duke of
one of the smaller of the German states
and made proposal for the hand of
the dukes youngest daughter. Elsa.
then nineteen years old. Her father,
astonished and delighted at being so
honored, went at once to communicate
the news to his daughter. Elsa receiv-
ed it without the transports exhibited
by her father.
81 am disappointed, she said. for
have always supposed that not enough
princes of the blood would be found
for my older sisters and that l would
be permitted to marry, if at all. for
love. l will not wed the prince
Her father argued and stormed. but
could only secure his daughters con-
sent to the wedding on condition that
she spend some time in Berlin that she
might become acquainted with the
prince and if he did not please her she
could break the betrothal. Since her
father must accept this condition or
send refusal to the king of Prussia
he consented to it.
The crown prince pleased Elsa very
much with his personality, but did not
show her the attention she had right
to expect from a fance. There were
many gallants at the Prussian court,
and the princess accepted the atten-
tions Of those who were sufficiently inn
polite to give them, for it was not ex-
pected that any man would devote him.
self to the betrothed of the heir ap-
parent. Count Caspar Audenreid was
one who seemed willing to trespass on
the royal domain, and his attentions
being accepted it was not long before
the matter began to excite comment.
Meanwhile the crown prince, who
took an interest in state affairs,
busted himself with them and when at
leisure, instead of seeking the company
of his betrothed, devoted himself to
other women. He did not seem to notice
Count Caspar'S attentions to Elsa, or
if he did they did not seem to trouble
him.
Elsa was piqued by his Indifference.
She did not love the count or any of
the other courtiers who paid her atten-
ton. Indeed, she was much cut up
because the prince sighted her. At
last she concluded to withdraw from
Berlin and ON reaching her own home
compel her father to send word to the
king of Prussia that his daughter had
informed herself of the crown princes
desirability and that she had not been
sufficiently well pleased with him to
marry him.
Elsa was aware that her leaving Ber-
lin would be interpreted to mean that
she had refused the heir apparent to
the throne, which would be considered
an insult to the Prussian court and
nation. She therefore determined to
depart secretly or at any rate without
leave.
One night a carriage stood waiting
at doorway directly below her apart
ments in the palace. The princess,
yelled, descended, entered the vehicle
and was driven away.
On reaching wooded spot some dis
lance from the city the carriage was
stopped and the door opened by a
masked man.
"Pardon me, your highness," he said.
-T am looking for one whom I expect
ed to be with you"
"And who may he bel"
"COunt Caspar Audenreid."
'And pray what interest is Count
Audenreid to your"
sNone to me personally, but as one
who has insulted my master, the crown
prince, he is good deal of interest to
me. I desire to avenge that insult"
"You mean that his royal highness
is Indifferent to his loss, but extreme
3y sensitive to his dignity"
"As to that the prince must speak
for himself"
81 have no desire to hear him on the
subject presume you will permit
me to go on"
"But perhaps my master may desifa
to apologize for his neglect of one for
whose hand he had proposed"
'In that case it is not necessary
that I should return to Berlin"
"Why not?'
'He stands before me-"
"How have you been able to recog.
nize me?'
WOuiQ kuOW yOu thlOuSA any Uio-
guise."
"May ask where you are going?"
"Home."
"Why are you leaving Berlin?"
Because / will marry no man who
treats me with Indifference"
"And you are not accompanied by
Count Audenreid?"
4'That you can see for yourself"
"Will you give me another trial?
: "Not in Berlin. / shall be happy to
receive you at my fathers capital"
MAY l accompany your
Elsa hestated. A change had evi-
dently come over her betrothed. Her
departure would doubtless occasion
great deal of talk and trouble.
"You may" she said.
The prince entered the vehicle, and
It was driven on.
"You came to Berlin" he said s'tO