The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1918-01-10
A ROYAL PRINCESS
BY JACK WALTON.

!
! In the remotcst kingdom, subjects
! were anxiously discussing the marriage
! of the prince. It was desired that some
! settlement be made which would as
! sure the continuance of threatened
throne. and the old kings face was at
fectionately 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 so with Lura. Love at first
sight" was evidenced in her adoring
gaze: Sszs ~s.-As>,-.,
Luring were the flashing glances
from her dark eyes, the smiles inviting
friendliness. But the prince remained
| obdurate. Returning one day from a
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 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-nlindedly, 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
hac been SO unexpectedly and mutual
~ 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 da.:s later, Lura assembled
her maidens together to enjoy the
weird skill of noted nypnotist. To
amuse his audience, and at Lura's d.
rection, he placed those who offered
their services, under control, forcing
them through many laughable situa.
lions.
Suddenly a look of hatred crossed
the face of the princess. With a com.
manding gesture she motioned the
Lady Elizabeth to offer herself sub.
ject. Unmoved the girl waited expec.
tant. Suddenly leaning forward Lura
Held out to the hypnotist d costly ring.
Perplexed, Elizabeth glanced from one
to the other, then slowly and yisibly
her composure fell away. Staring I'm.
blinkingly into the face of the hypno.
list, 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.
Die In his sight, while under hypnotic
control, and in his presence, she must
do the deed"
Fearfully the man held out. capitu.
lating at last to the enormous bride.
In the garden he found Elizabeth
dreaming over her books. At his an
proach she arose, vaguely startled. I'm.
mediately his eyes were upon hers. his
clawlike hands ON her shoulders-the
girls face grew e1rress!cnless. Obe,,i-
emily she followed the hideous grimac.
Ing figure; steaathily through the castle
corridor followed the girl in her con.
trolling dream.
Behind the throneroom draperics,
tA'c "!pnotlSt PAUSED TO place In the
hand clasped behind the girls back.
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'm
In bewilderment as. the white.clad fie- :
ure appeared before them. Outside
the hypnotist raised his arm as one
aiming weapon, inside, the girl also
raised her arm, exposing to the aston.
1shed rulers, cleaning revolver. Then.
In an instant she had whirled about.
rushing noiselessly to the draperies.
forcing out at the pistols point the sur.
prised and cringing hypnotist. Still
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
And when the distin-
guished men came forward, taking the
hand of Elizabeth, he presented her.
Upon Bonded knee they paid her HON.
age. And when all others had left Tho
room, the prince coming down from his