The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1920-05-13
A ROYAL PRINCESS
BY JACK WALTON.

settlement De Ildue WHICH NOulu as
sure the continuance of a threatened
throne, and the old kings face was af-
fectionately apprehensive, as he
watched his son turn in dlsapproval
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 Ottos heart
was untouched by the encounter, 1t
was not so 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. But the prince remained
obdurate. Returning one day from a
canter he came suddenly upon 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 ISnt-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.
her maidens together to enjoy the
weird skill of a noted hypnotist. To
amuse his audience, and at Lura's di.
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.
handing gesture she motioned the
Lady Elizabeth to offer herself a sub.
jeCt. Unmoyed the girl waited expec.
tant. Suddenly leaning forward Lura
held out to the hypnotlst a costly ring,
Perplexed, Elizabeth glanced from one
to the other then slowly and visibly
her compOsure fell away. Staring un.
blinkingly into the face of the hypno.
fist, she moved and acted automatic.
ally at his dction. Lura watched
breathlessly, until the man rudeIy
swapping his fingers before the unre.
sponslve face, awakened the girl as a
babe half-smillng, 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,
che 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 capltu.
lating at last to the enormous bride.
In the garden he found Elizabeth
dreaming over her books. At his ap.
proach she arose, vaguely startled. I'm.
mediately his eyes were upon hers, his
clawlike hands on her shoulders-the
girls face grew eXpresslonIess. Obedi,
emily she followed the hdeous grimac.
ing figure; stealthily through the castle
corridor followed the girl In her con.
trolling dream,
Behind the throneroom draperles,
the hypEotist paused to place in the
hama clasped behind the girls back,
q loaded pistol. Then conceallng him.
self In the draperies, he continued his
suggestions as she passed inside.
The old king and his son looked up
In bewilderment as the Whitehead flg.
ure appeared before them. Outside
the hypnotlst raised his arm as one
aiming a weapon, inside, the girl also
raised her arm, exposing to the aston.
ished rulers, cleaning revolver. Then,
in an instant she had whirled about,
rushing nOiselessly to the draperles,
forcing out at the pistols point the sur.
prlsed and crlngng hypnotlst. Stlll
compelling, to the foot Of the dals she
led him and gave explanation.
The hypnotlst burst forth in ACCUSE.
tion 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 dlstin.
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 the
room, the prince coming down from his
throne, took Elizabeth tenderly into
his arms.
My queen, my queen he said. And
later, so 1t even came to be.