The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1914-11-26
A
Lover 5 I, est
By LOUISE 3. CUMMINGS

ABOUT a century ago crown prince
Of Prussia was in the matrimonial
market. One day Prussian deputa-
ton called on the reigning duke Of
one Of the smaller Of the German states
and made a proposal for the hand Of
the dukes youngest daughter. Elsa.
then nineteen years old. Her father.
astenished and delighted at being 80
honored. went at once to communicate
the news to his daughter. Elsa receiv-
81 Il without the transports exhibited
~ her father.
q am disappointed" she said. "for
have always supposed that not enough
princes Of the blood would be found
for my older sisters and that I would
DO. permitted to marry, IL 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
shsspend some time In Berlin that she
might become acquainted with the
prince and IL 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 a right
to expect from a fiance. There were
many gallants at the Prussian court,
and the princess accepted the atten-
lions Of those who were sufficiently i'm
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
ono 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
IL 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
deairability and that she had not been
suniciently well pleased with him to
ma3Fy him.
Nm was aware that her leaving Bee
linrwould 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
alta, doorway directly below her apart
ments I'm the palace. The princess,
yelled, descended. entered the vehicle
and was driven away.
On reaching a wooded spot somesdis.
tanee from the city the carriage WAS
stepped and the door opened by .
maGaed man.
pardon me. your highness." he said.
~ ain looking for one whom expect
ed to be with you"
And who may he be?"
"Count Gaspar Audenreid." 49,.
taaAnd pray what interest Is Count
Audsnreid to your
tMone TO me personally, hut as one
who has insnlted my master, the crown
prince, he is q good deal Of interest TO
me- 4 desire to ayenge thst insult"
"Y0n mean that his royal highness
Is Indifferent to his loss. but extreme
ly sensitive to his dignity"
CAS- Ito that the prince must speak
for himself
II have mo desire to hear him on tho
subject i presume you will permit
metto 60 on"
"Rut perhaps my master may desire
to apologize for his neglect of one for
whose hand he had proposed"
I'm that case it is not necessary
that should return to Berlin"
"Why not?"
HE stands before me-"
".How have you been able to recog.
nize me?"
"I=would know you through any dis
gutse"
'..May ask where you are going?"
Home"
"Why are you leaving Berlin?"
Because I will marry no man who
treats me with indifference"
"And you are not accompanied by
Count Audeprsid2''
::sThat you can see tor yourself"
:WM you give me another trialf'
"lloE In Berlin. shall be happy to
recaiya you at my fathar,s capital"
may: ! accompany your"
Elsa haaitatAd. "A change had aEi.