Hopkinsville Kentuckian., 1917-12-29
ia ROYAL PRINCESS.
BY JACK WALTON.

| ttopyrkhts ltlft western NtNhptf'i 'f"''''
In the remotest kingdom, subject
were anxiously discussing the marriag'
OF the prince. II was desired that som'
settlement be made which would as
sure the continuance Of threatened
throne, and the old kings face was af
fectionately apprehensive, as h
watched his son turn In dlsapprova
from each royal princess. brought upor
some pretense, before him. Even "Lurt
the notOriously beautiful" failed tt
awaken q gilmmer OF interest In tht
somber eyes. But n Prince Otto's heart
was untouched by the encounter, II
was not 80 with Lura. Love at FIRST
sight" was evidenced In her adorins
gaze.
Luring were the flashing glances
from her dark eyes. the smiles Inviting
| friendliness. But the prince remained
obdurate. Returning one day from q
canter he came suddenly upon lovely
girl. reaching to pluck flower above
her head. With quick gallantry the
prince dismounted to assist. then with
bride across his arm, he strolled be-
side the girl through the castle gar
dens.
The maiden. he learned, was Eliza
beth. 'lady In waiting" to the Princess
Lura. His eager pleasure in the epl-
sode was betrayed TO the waiting Lura.
Abruptly she dismissed Elizabeth upon
some errand, endeavoring herself to
entertain the prince. But the prince
answered absent-mindedly, his eyes
following the while, the way Elizabeth
had gone. The jealousy Of the prin-
cess aroused, no later chance meeting
between prince and maiden escaped her
notice.
One moonlit evening. the two, who
had been so Unexpectedly and mutual
ly attracted, came by chance to the
colonnade. A movement Of flight upon
the part of Elizabeth brought forth all
the pent-up love of Otto's heart and In.
voluntarily he caught her to his breast
In joyous wonder the girl gazed into
his eyes, their lips met. An unseen
witness OF the scene. Lura fingered hor-
rified, then turned to face the king, he,
too, she perceived, had noted silently
the mad embrace.
A few daSs later, Lura assembled
her maidens together to enjoy the
weird skill Of noted hypnotist. To
amuse 4his audience, and at Lura's dl-
rection, he placed those who offered
their services, under control, forcing
them through many laughable sItua-
tons.
Suddenly a look Of hatred crossed
the face Of the princess. With a COM
mandlng gesture she motioned the
Lady Elizabeth to offer herself a sub
ject. Unmoved the girl waited expec-
tant. Suddenly leaning forward Lura
held out to the hypnotist a costly ring.
Perplexed, Elizabeth glanced from one
to the other then slowly and visibly
her compOsure fell away. Staring I'M
into the face of the hypnO-
tist, she moved and acted automatic
ally at his diction. Lura watched
breathlessly, until the man rudely
his fingers before the unre-
face, awakened the girl as a
babe half-smlling, from sleep
When all had gone, Lura beckoned
the hypnotist to her, unfolding her re-
scheme. Because of the old |
kings refusal to force his son to marry
the most beautiful princess" she said, !
''he must die. And because the woman
of OttO's heart must be made despica-
BILE in his sight. while under hypnotic |
control, and in his presence, she must |
do the deed"
Fearfully the man held out, capitu-
Iating at last to the enormous bribe.
In the garden he found Elizabeth
dreaming over her books. At his ap-
Droach she arose, vaguely startled. In
nediately his eyes were upon hers. his |
,lawlike hands on her shoulders-the
sirPs face grew expressiOnless. Obedi-
emily she followed the hldeous grimac-
Ing figure; stealthily through the castle
corridor followed the girl in her con-
rolling dream.
Behind the throneroom draperIes.
he hypnotist paused to place in the
hand clasped behind the girls -ck.
loaded pistol. Then concealIng lin
'elf In the draperies, he continued his
suggestions as she passed inside.
The old king and his son looked up /
n bewilderment as the white-clad fig
Ire appeared before them. Outside
he hypnOtist raised his arm as one
lining q weapon, inside, the girl also
aised her arm, exposing to the aston
shed rulers, a cleaning revolver. Then,
n an instant she had whirled about,
ushing nOiselessly to the draperies,
orcing out at the pistols point the sur |
'rised and cringing hypnotist. Sdll |
to the foot OF the daIs she |
ed him and gave explanation.
The hypnotist burst forth in accusa-
Ion against the princess and her
'engeful plot was unfolded. As the
nan was led away for trial, the king |
made known his wish TO speak with his |
And when the dlstln-
'uished men came forward, taking the |
a 4