The Princess Elopes

ectly into that belonging to the princess, to write a few letters home. A dinner was to be given to the state officials that night, and she knew from experience that afte

nd of her pen and smile in a dreamy, retrospective fash

heard the door leading into the princess' boudoir ope

noting the grey walking-dress, the gre

nurse," replied her Highne

have time to dr

head of the English girl between her gloved hands, pressed it against her heart, bent and kissed it. "Wha

ant to grow old at all. Ca

There was a children's party, and two boys had a fisticuff over you. Nobody noticed me those days. I was happy then." The princess frowned. It might have been the sign of repression of tears. Betty, with her head against the other's bosom, could not see. "I shall be lonely without you; for you can

cried Betty, trying without avai

m sentimental to-night. I have all the moods, ag

in spite of the protesting hands. "Do I

hed each o

I'd like to see you commit a folly, Betty; it's a wicked wish, I know, but I honestly wish it. There is certainly more Spanish blood in my veins than German. I am always making mistakes

Are you crazy

retchen!"-

what has co

you a q

very foolish. One ought to know something of a man's character," went

held her at arm's length, drew her to her heart and again kissed her. It was like a farewell. Then she l

which dear Gretchen had passed,

to run to the door, but stopped, as if ashamed of

th the seventh hour, and she rang for her

ld I know of a woman's toilet, save in the general mysterious results? However, I feel at liberty to steal into the duke's dr

trousers which strapped under the patent-leather boots, the gold braid, the silver saber and the little rope of medals strun

saber belt, when there came

can not assert any particular degree

nt who entered. He approached the

" He bowed and backed out

tended the letter to his master. Fo

nnocent of the viper which was about to stin

. He opened the letter and read its contents. The valet, watching him slyly, saw him grow pale, then red, and finally purple,-wrath has its rainbow

ero to his valet, he pointed to his glasses, at the same time returning the letter to its envelope, this letter which had caused thi

sts, and jingling his shining medals. He kicked over an inoffensive hassock and his favorite hound, and I don't know how man

r aunt's wishes overrule mine in the matter of education. But she shall be brought back, even if I have to ask the assistance of

returned with the minister of police. T

e minister, shaking in his boots. There had

Read

it with bulging eyes. "Good heavens, i

e for you if she crosse

ut

everybody. When you locate her, telegraph, and have a special engine awaiting me at the station. And if you play a poor

fellow, w

hese grey hairs. Put the rascal in irons; I'll atte

g in Berlin; I have already

ne unturned. The expense is nothing; I wi

minister grimly. His por

e struck his hands

asked the mini

g! Be gone; you

oner was he gone than the duke left his apartments and sought those of his niece. It might be a joke; it would do no harm to find out positively. But

" he b

anded a maid's f

! Open in

nother voice from within. It was

instant. Open or I

erene High

u open t

comma

red tim

he voice was no longer ca

u which met his gaze embarrassed him for a space. He was even ashamed. The Honorable Betty stood behind a tall-backed chair, an opera cloak thrown

e demanded. "You have literally forced your way into my room

ough to be y

ed to a certain discretion. My father, if he had had anything important to say, would h

while he was without voice, but had plenty of color. "It is easily

with wide eyes. "Eloped

, el

recollected her conversation with the princess. Her mouth opened as if to speak, but

d the duke to the maid. "I will station

espatches flying to the four ends of the globe, telling the peoples that he, the Grand Duke of Barscheit, had been outwitted by a girl; that the Princess Hildegarde had eloped with a man who was not the chosen one. In other words, he saw himself laughed at from one end of the continent to the other. (There is something very funny in domestic troubles when they occu

led a quiet (I might

ke cam

you have put upon me, even under the circumstances, is wholly unpardonable. You imply that I have had something to do with he

dmiration lighted the duke's eyes

passports upon one

condition?

g: Where has she g

bsolutely

mustache, while his eyes stro

er understand. I have brought up this girl and surrounded her with every luxury; against my will and reason I

important thing,

"-haug

u have never g

n into silence, and this di

nsider your determination, and to remain here as long as you please. Fo

he dinner is over." This gi

in beating against this wall. "I w

ell your Highness. My father taugh

he said, choking down his wrath. He could not allow himself to be

ant i

The duchess was not feeling well; a wrangle with her was out of the question; besides, he would make himself hoarse. So he waited and waited, and re-read the princess' l

olutely essential that I should declare that I had seen him enter a railway carriage for Dresden. Besides this, I had to stand sponsor for the other boys and explain at length that they were in no wise concerned with Mr. Scharfenstein's great offense. The police we

eart beat violently as I recognized it. I was requested to come at once to the hotel. I should fin

simply run away; and I very much fear that she will be caught. The duke is in a terrible temper. I could not remain in the palace, for the duke suspects tha

very

d me in leaving Barscheit to-night? Ther

it?" My heart

e world is small and En

give up the con

ing more than a year. Truthfully, I hunger for

en as possible now. I always

idays. I am determined to leave Barscheit before the du

ubt t

ge of her luggage and carefully examined her papers. Then we had a small supp

ally?" I finally ventured. "I am sure that you woul

s. I shall await these le

them?"-gro

s, I shall answer them. Heigh-ho! I shall miss

and then she disappeared. There was altogether a different feeling in my heart as I watched her train draw out. Eh, well, the