The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1918-05-11
A ROYAL PRINCESS
BY JACK WALTON.

oil the prince. III was ueSlreu tnht SoHhO
settlement be made which would as
sure the continuance of a threatened
throne, and the old kings face was af-
fe~ctionately apprehensive, as he
watched his son turn in disapproval
from each royal princess, brought upon
some pretense, before him. Even "Lura
the VIGOROUSLY beautiful" failed to
awaken a glimmer of interest In the
somber eyes,. But If Prince Otto's heart
was untouched by the encounter, 1t
was not 80 with Lura. Love at first
sight" was evidenced In her adoring
gaze.
Luring were the flashing glances
from her dark eyes, the smiles inviting
friendliness. Blu the prince remained
obdurate. Returning one day from a
canter he came suddenly upon a lovely
girl, reaching to pluck a 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 cpl
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 days later, Lura assembled
her maidens together to enjoy the
weird skill of a noted nypnotist. To
amuse his audience, and at Lura's di-
r%ection, he placed those who offered
their services, under control, forcing
them through many laughable situa-
tons.
I Suddenly a look OF hatred crossed
the face of the princess. With a COM
handing 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 un-
b~linkingly into the face of the hypno-
fist, she moved and acted automatic
ally at his diction. Lura watched
breathlessly, until the man rudely
swapping his fingers before the unre-
sponsive face, awakened the girl as a
babe half-smiling, from sleep.
When all had gone, Lura beckoned
the hypnotist TO her, unfolding her re-
vengeful 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"
F~earfully the IA held out, capitu-
lating at last to the enormous bride.
Tn tho aorIlr ~. Ra..-I rrn4--hN
dreaming over her books. At his APP
proach she arose, vaguely startled. In
mediately his eyes were upon hers. his
clawlike hands on her shoulders-the
girls face grew expressionless. Obedi-
emily she followed the hideous grimac-
ing figure s%tealthily through the castle
corridor followed the girl in her con-
trolling dream.
Behind the throneroom draperies,
the hypnotist paused to place In the
hand clasped behind the girls back.
a loaded pistol. Then concealing him
self In the draperies. he continued his
suggestions as she passed inside.
The old king and his son looked I'D
In bewilderment as the whitehead fig
ure appeared before them. Outside
the hypnotist raised his arm as one
aiming a weapon, inside, the girl also
raised her arm. exposing to the aston
ished rulers, a cleaning revolver. Then.
In an instant she had whirled about
rushing noiselessly to the draperles.
forcing out at the pistols point the sur
prised and cringing hypnotlst. StiIl
compelling, to the foot of the dais she
led him and gave explanation.
The %hypnotist burst forth in accusa.
ton against the princess and her
vengeful plot was unfolded. AS the
man was led away for trial, the king
made known his wish to speak with his
counselors. And when the dIstin-
guished men came forward, taking the
hand of Elizabeth, he presented her.
Upon Blended knee they paid her hon.
age. And when all others had left the