Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1914-01-29


under your supervision.
Now, my dear Lane, there Is a
very unfortunate incident in this af-
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 can 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 Clothilde
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 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 soon
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 am
confident that you are the person whom
you represent yourself to be. You
will appreciate the necessity Of these
precautions when | tell you that Hol-
land is facing the greatest crisis in
all her checkered history. It's pre-
else nature is still unknown to us, but
we know enough to be aware that 1t
centers upon the Princess Juliana, and
1t will be effected tomorrow evening,
as soon as the news is telephoned to
The Hague that her majesty has rati-
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-
lously the Princess Clothilde, who is
quite we'll 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 our representations.
Come, now" he added, "and | will
introduce you to her highness,"
With beating heart Paul followed
the old minister along the main corri-
dor of the old-fashioned, rambling pal
ace, until they entered the royal apart
ments. Sounds of 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 high stool,
the royal princess was lingering
small keyboard with her tiny fingers,
under the direction of Clothilde, who
sat beside her on a straight backed
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 detiantly.
Mr.. Lane and l 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, 1t 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 fraught
with CHASTITY mockery. 1t was not un-
til the little princess was safely In
bed under the guardianship Of the
capable nurse, that Paul found himself
for few moments alone with Clo-
thilde.
Monsieur, learn that you have left
the League" she said in tone of In
quiry which startled him
81 too, am no longer connected with
it, she said. Monsieur, l. too, was un-
able to acquesce in the demands made
upon me. SO now, you see me here a
revolutionary turned courtier, hum
bic music teacher to the Princess Ju-
LANA"
She was trying to disarm his suspi-
cions; Paul saw that, and though he
strove to conceal his knowledge Of it,
he could see that she knew.
Monsieur Lane is still suspicious
of me?" she asked mochingly. She
came close to him and stood look
ing up at him, her arms at her
Sides her lips temptingly close. Mon
sieur has not repented of the harsh and
cruel words he said to me when we
met last?"
In another moment he would have
caught her in his arms But just
then the door opened and the minis
ter came slowly in. The princess start
ed round, an angry look upon her face;
then, recovering her self possession
with amazing swiftness, she burst
into laughter.
Il was just telling Monsieur Lane"
she said, that / am a revolutionary
turned courtier. / believe that Mon