The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1914-01-10
(copyright, 1913, by W. G. Chapman.J

- - NAAAaNO AhSAuSAAN III lIl1 III
fair. The notorious Princess Clothil-
de, Of Austria, who is well known to
be connected with the League, has
been installed at The Hague for sew
eral weeks as the Princess Juliana's
music teacher. She has completely
won the favor of Queen Wilhelmina,
and all representations made to her
majesty on this point have been fruit
less. When the queens mind is made
up, nothing a shake her. In that
respect she is a true Netherlander.
And her majesty, unfortunately, has
the most complete confidence in
the Princess Clothilde. So you will have
to regard the princess as an enemy
within the gates. Won Grobelaar will
doubtless post you on all necessary
matters. You can trust him implicit
ly. Good morning, Mr.. Lane. You
will report to me here five days hence
at the same hour"
The thought of meeting Clcthilde
again, matching himself against her,
sent the blood coursing wildly through
Paul's veins. He hurried home, pack
ed his suitcase, and caught the next
train for Harwich, whence a fast
steamer landed him in Holland on
the following morning. That afternoon
he reached The Hague and he drove
at once to the palace, and was SOC
in consultation with Won Grobelaar.
81 have received a communication
from Lord Tresham," he said. "He
has described you thoroughly, both in
features and manner, so that l am
confident that you arethe person whom
you represent yourself to be. You
will appreciate the necessity of these
precautions when l tell you that Hol-
land is facing the greateBt crisis in
all her checkered history. It's pre-
else nature is still unknown to us, but
we know enough to be aware that it
centers upon the Princess Juliana, and
it will be effected tomorrow evening
as soon as the news is telephoned to
The Hague that her majesty has rati-
fed the treaty which is now pending
with Germany. Your task will be to
guard the little princess. You are
to act under my orders as the princess
guardian until her majesty returns. In
particular, you are to watch scrupu-
lousy the Princess Clothilde, who is
quite well known to be an agent of
the League, and who, unhappily, was
placed in charge of the princess mu-
steal tuition by her majesty, in spite
of all u representations.
Come, now" he added, "and I will
introduce you to her highness."
With a beating heart Paul followed
the old minister along the main CORR
dor of the old-fashioned, rambling pal
ace, until they entered the royal apart
ments. Sounds Of a child practicing
scales were heard as soon as the heavy
swing doors were opened, and Won
Grobelaar led Paul into the music
room, where, seated upon a high stool,
the royal princess was lingering a
small keyboard with her tiny fingers,
under the direction of Clothilde, who
sat beside her on a STRAIGHTFORWARD
chair.
The entrance of the two caused an
immediate cessation of the lesson. The
child princess looked round curiously
the other princess, she of Austria, rose
and stood looking at Paul def1antly
"Mr. Lane and 1 are old acquaint
ances," murmured Clothilde, inclining
her head.
During the remainder of that day the
four never left one another. They
seemed inspired by mutual distrust
Under other circumstances, it would
have seemed comical to Paul for two
men and two women to attend labori
ously upon the wishes of a child that
devoted its pampered day to playing
with an enormous collection of toys
bricks, dolls of all kinds-and throw
ing them aside as it grew tired of each
But to Paul the situation was fraugh
with CHASTITY mockery. 1t was not un
til the little princess was safely IL
bed, under the guardianship of thu
capable nurse, that Paul found himsel
for a few moments alone with Clio
thilde.
Monsieur, l learn that you have lef
the League" she said, in a tone of in
quiry which startled him
81, too, am no longer connected will
it," she said. Monsieur, l, too, was un
able to acquiesce in the demands mad,
upon me. So now, you see me here,
revolutionary turned courtier, a hum
bic music teacher to the Princess Ju
LANA"
She was trying to disarm his suspi
, cions; Paul saw that, and though h
strove to conceal his knowledge of II
he could see that she knew.
Monsieur Lane is still suspicion
of me?" she asked mockingly. Sh
, came close to him and stood lool
ing up at him, her arms at he
} sides, her lips temptingly close. Nor
| sieur has not repented Of the harsh an
cruel words he said to me when W
met last?"
In another moment he would hav
: caught her in his arms. But jus
then the door opened and the mini
4, ter came slowly in, The princess star
. ed round. an angry look upon her face
/. then, recovering her self possessio
with amazing swiftness, she buri
= into laughter.
II was just telling Monsieur Lane
l she said. that l am a revolutionar
! turned ~courtier. l believe that Mo