Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1917-07-27

i
and by the heavy travelling coat and
close-fltting hat she wore concluded
that she had just come off one of the
incoming liners.
One thing which struck me as I
looked at her was the brooch she wore.
1t was q natural butterfly of a rare
tropical variety, with bright golden
wings, the delicate sheen of which was
protected by small plates of crystal
| one of the most charming ornaments
had ever seen.
As ushered her in she greeted the
crown prince as "M-. Richter" being
apparently entirely unaware of his
real identity. l concluded that she was
| somebody whom his highness had met
in Germany, and to whom he had been
introduced under his assumed name.
"Ah! Miss King" he exclaimed
| pleasantly in his excellent English,
shaking hands with her. "YOur boat
should have been in yesterday. 1 fear
you encountered bad weather-eh?"
"Yes, rather" replied the girl. ''But
1t did not trouble me much. We had
almost constant gales ever since we
left New York." she laughed brightly.
She appeared to be quite a charming
little person.
"Heltzendorff, would you please bring
me that sealed packet from your dis
patch box2" he asked suddenly, turn
ing to me.
The sealed packet! l had forgotten,
all about 1t ever since he had handed
it to me at the door of the MarmOr pal
ace. l knew that it contained some
secret reports prepared for the eye of
the emperor. The latter had no doubt
seen them, for the crown prince had
brought them with him from Berlin.
AS ordered, l took the packet into
the room where his highness sat with
his fair visitor, and then retired and
closed the door.
al Can't; II Would Be Dishonest!"
Hotel doors are never very heavy, as
rule, therefore, / was able to hear
conversation, but unfortunately few
words were distinct. The interview
had lasted nearly half an hour. Find
ing that 1 could hear nothing, 1 con-
! tented myself in reading the paper and
holding myself in readiness should ''Mr.
Richter" want me.
OF a sudden heard his highness'
voice raised in anger, that shrill, high
pitched note which is peculiar both to
the emperor and to his son when they
are unusually annoyed
"But l tell you, Miss King, there is
no other way" heard him shout. 'It
can be done quite easily, aud nobody
can possibly know"
"Never 7" cried the girl. "What would
people think Of me?"
"You wish to save your brother" he
said. "Very well, / have shown you
how you can effect this. And / will
help you if you agree to the terms
If you will find out what l want tC
know"
II can'tl" cried the girl in evident
distress. 81 really can'tl 1t would bt
dishonest-criminal ~
"Bahl my dear girl, you are looking
at the affair from far too high stand
point" replied the man she knew al
Richter. TT Is q mere matter o.
business. You ask me to assist yoI
to save your brother. and have simpl!
stated my terms. Surely you woult
not think that would travel from Ber
lin here to Plymouth in order to NEE
you if l were not ready and eager t.
help you"
II must ask my father. can speal
to him In confidence"
"Your fatherl" cried Mr.. Richter
"By no means. Why, you must no
breathe q single word to him. Thi
affair is a strict secret between us
Please understand that" Then, afte
pause: "Your brother is, quite ad
NIT, in direst peril, and you alone cal
save him. Now, what is your de
cision?"
The girls reply was in a tone to
low for me to overhear. Its tenor
however, was quickly apparent fror
the crown princes words:
"You refuse Very well, then, car
not assist you. regret, Miss Kint
that you have your journey to Englan
for nothing"
'But won't you help me, Mr.. Ricf
teri" cried the girl appealingly.
mo" was his answer. 81 will, how
ever, give you opportunity to recor
slider your decision. You are, n
doubt, going TO London. SO am
! You will meet me in the hall of tn
4 Carlton hotel at seven O'Clock on Thur
| day evening. and we will dine t,
| gether"
i "But 1 CAN'T really can't do 9
= you wish. You surely will not comp,
r me toto commit a crimer'
The Crown Princes Threat.
"Hush ~ he cried. 81 have show
you these papers, and you know my II
!. structions. Remember that your f
ther must know nothing. Nobody mu
suspect, or you will find yourself
D equal peril with your brother"
"You-you are cruel!" sobbed Il
I girl.
i "No, no." he said cheerfully. "DOr
cry, please. Think 1t all over, Mi
e King, and meet me in London on Thur
e day night"
a After listening to the appointment,
Il discreetly withdrew into the corrid
e on pretense of summoning waite
'rd and when returned the pretty Engli
o girl was taking leave of "Mr. Ric
e ter"
Her blue eyes betrayed traces
IS emotion. and she was, 1 saw, We
g pale, her bearing quite unlike her at
ie tude when she had entered there.
y "Well, good-by, Miss King" said
highness, grasping her hand. "It W
e. really awfully good of you to call.
L shall meet again very Soon-eh? Goo
'e by"