arms and the woman - harold macgrath

8/8/2019 Arms and the Woman - Harold MacGrath

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Arms and the Woman

Harold MacGrath

Published: 1899

Categorie(s): Fiction, Action & Adventure,Romance

Source: http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/17359


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ut MacGrath:arold MacGrath (September 4, 1871tober 30, 1932) was a bestsellingrican novelist, short story writer, andenwriter. Also known occasionally asold McGrath, he was born incuse, New York. As a young man, heed as a reporter and columnist on

Syracuse Herald newspaper until the1890s when he published his firstl, a romance titled Arms and the

man. According to the New Yorks, his next book, The Puppet

wn, was the No.7 bestselling book inUnited States for all of 1901. Frompoint on, MacGrath never looked, writing novels for the mass markett love, adventure, mystery, spies,the like at an average rate of moreone a year. He would have three

e of his books that were among theen bestselling books of the year. Atsame time, he penned a number oft stories for major Americanazines such as The Saturdayning Post, Ladies Home Journal,Red Book magazine. Several of

Grath's novels were serialized ine magazines and contributing to

was something he would continueo until his death in 1932. In 1912,old MacGrath became one of the

nationally-known authors to writetly for the movies when he was

d by the American Film Company tohe screenplay for a short film in thetern genre titled The VengeanceFailed. MacGrath had eighteen of

orty novels and three of his shortes made into films plus he wrote they for another four motion pictures.

three of his books were also madeBroadway plays. One of the many

made from MacGrath's writings

the 1913 serial The Adventures ofyn starring Kathlyn Williams. While

ng the thirteen episodes heltaneously wrote the book that wasshed immediately after the

ember 29, 1913, premiere of theepisode of the serial so as to be ink stores during the screening of thee thirteen episodes. AmongGrath's short stories made into film

the 1920 Douglas Fairbanksuction Company's feature-lengthnture film The Mollycoddle based onGrath's short story with the samethat appeared in The Saturday

ning Post in 1913. Directed by Victorming, it starred Fairbanks, Ruthck, and Wallace Beery and wasbuted through the newly createded Artists. It is said that during thise time, a young Boris Karloff, whoously had a few uncredited film, chose his stage name for his firsten credit in 1920 from the MacGrathl The Drums of Jeopardy, which hadbeen published by The Saturday

ning Post in January of that year andh featured a Russian mad scientist


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acter named Boris Karlov. The s Karlov was used from MacGrath'sk for the 1922 Broadway play, but by3 with actor Boris Karloff using thear sounding variation, the filmon renamed the character Gregor

ov. Harold MacGrath's successe him a wealthy man and, althoughtraveled the world extensively,cuse, New York, was his home, andas there in 1912 that he built ansh country-style mansion renowneds landscaped gardens. In an article

he April 23, 1932, issue of Therday Evening Post written under theThe Short Autobiography of a Deaf", MacGrath told the public how hestruggled early in life as a result of aing impairment. At a time in historyn deaf people were almostmatically considered as lackingectual acuity, he had hid this fromemployer and others. Harold

Grath died at his home in Syracusew months after the article wasshed.

o available on FeedbooksGrath:

Man on the Box(1904)The Voice in the Fog(1915)A Splendid Hazard(1910)The Lure of the Mask (1908)The Puppet Crown (1901)The Grey Cloak(1903)The Ragged Edge (1922)The Drums of Jeopardy(1920)

yright: This work is available fortries where copyright is Life+70 ande USA.

e: This book is brought to you by

dbooks/www.feedbooks.comtly for personal use, do not use thisor commercial purposes.


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1Chapter

The first time I met her I was a reportehe embryonic state and she was a gshort dresses. It was in a gardsurrounded by high red brick walls wwere half hidden by clusters of grvines, and at the base of which nesearth-beds, radiant with roses poppies and peonies and bushesavender lilacs, all spilling their delic

ambrosia on the mild air of passing Mstood, straw hat in hand, wondering

had not stumbled into some sw


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prison of flowers which, having disobedient ways in the past, had bplaced here by Flora, and forever den

heir native meadows and wildernessAnd this vision of fresh youth in my pperhaps she was some guardian nym

was only twenty-twoa m

mpressionable age. Her hair was hat rare October brown, half dun, gold; her eyes were cool and restful, he brown pools one sees in the hea

he forests, and her lips and checozened the warm vermilion of the rwhich lay ever so lightly on the bosomher white dress. Close at hand wa

able upon which stood a pitcheremonade. She was holding in her han empty glass. As my eencountered her calm, inquiring ga


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my courage fled precipitately, likewhe object of my errand. There wapause; diffidence and embarrassm

on my side, placidity on hers."Well, sir?" said she, in a voice one of which implied that she coreadily understand her presence in

garden, but not mine. As I remember it, I was suddseized with a great thirst.

"I should like a glass of y

emonade," I answered, bravely laydown the only piece of monepossessed.

Her stern lips parted in a smile,

my courage came back cautiously, s to say, by degrees. She filled a gfor me, and as I gulped it down I coalmost detect the flavor of lemon


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sugar."It is very good," I voluntee

passing back the glass. I held out

hand, smiling."There isn't any change," coolly.I flushed painfully. It was fully four m

o Newspaper Row. I was conscious

sullen pride. Presently the object oferrand returned. Somewhat down path I saw a gentleman reclining icanvas swing.

"Is that Mr. Wentworth?" I asked."Yes. Do you wish to speak to hUncle Bob, here is a gentleman wdesires to speak to you."

I approached. "Mr. Wentworthbegan, cracking the straw in my hat, name is John Winthrop. I am a reporthave called to see if it is true that


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have declined the Italian portfolio.""It is true," he replied kindly. "There

any number of reasons for my declin

t, but I cannot make them public. Is all?""Yes, sir; thank you;" and I bac

away.

"Are you a reporter?" asked the as I was about to pass by her."Yes, I am.""Do you draw pictures?"

"No, I do not.""Do you write novels?""No," with a nervous laugh.There is nothing like the process

nterrogation to make one person lnterest in another."Oh; I thought perhaps you did,"

said, and turned her back to me.


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I passed through the darkened hallhe house and into the street.

I never expected to see her again,

t was otherwise ordained. We caogether three years later at Blsland. She was eighteen now, gathehe rosy flowers of her first season. S

remembered the incident in the gardand we laughed over it. A few dancwo or three evenings on the verandwatching the sea, moon-lit, as

sprawled among the rocks below and the even tenor of my way ceasebe. I appreciated how far she was abme; so I worshipped her silently and f

afar. I told her my ambitions, confidenso welcome to feminine ears, and rewarded me with a small exchanShe, too, was an orphan, and lived


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her uncle, a rich banker, who, adiversion, consented to represent country at foreign courts. Her g

name was Phyllis. I had seen the namhousand times in print; the poets dealised it, and the novelists embalmed it in tender phrases. It w

he first time I had ever met a womanhe name of Phyllis. It appealed to poetic instinct. Perhaps that was cause of it all. And then, she was v

beautiful. In the autumn of that year became great friends; and through nfluence I began to see beyond portals of the mansions of the r

Matthew Prior's Chloes and Sir JSuckling's Euphelias lost their charHenceforth my muse's name becaPhyllis. I took her to the opera whe


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didn't know where I was goingbreakfast on the morrow. I sent her roand went without tobacco, a privatio

which woman knows nothing.Often I was plunged into despair atdistressed circumstances. Money to meant something to spend; to m

meant something to get. Her incobothered her because she could spend it; my income was mortgageweek in advance, and did not bother

at all. This was the barrier at my lips.her woman's intuition must have told hat she was a part and parcel of existence.

I had what is called a forlorn hoperich uncle who was a planter Louisiana. His son and I were his oheirs. But this old planter had a mo


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antipathy to my side of the family. Wmy mother, his sister, married AlWinthrop in 1859, at the time when

North and South were approaching precipice of a civil war, he consideredfamily ties obliterated. We never wormuch about it. When mother died

softened to the extent of being presat the funeral. He took small notice offather, but offered to adopt me if I woassume his name. I clasped my fath

hand in mine and said nothing. Theman stared at me for a moment, thenhe house. That was the first and ime I ever saw him. Sometime

wondered if he would remember mhis will. This, of course, was only whhad taken Phyllis somewhere, or wsome creditor had lost patience. O


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morning in January, five years aftersecond meeting with Phyllis, I sat atdesk in the office. It was raining; a c

hin rain. The window was blurred. water in the steam-pipes went bangaway. I was composing an editowhich treated the diplomatic relati

between this country and England. roar of Park Row distracted me. Nand then I would go to the window peer down on the living stream below

dense cloud of steam hung over all city. I swore some when the copy came in and said that there was yecolumn and a half to fill, and that

foreman wanted to "close up the pearly." The true cause of my indisposiwas due to the rumors rife in the ofhat morning. Rumors which eman


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from the managing editor's room usually of the sort which burden subordinate ones with anxiety.

London correspondent was "goingpieces." He had cabled that he wsuffering from nervous prostratsupplementing a request for a

months' leave of absence. For "nervprostration" we read "drink." Our Loncorrespondent was a brilliant journahe had written one or two clever boo

he had a broad knowledge of men affairs; and his pen was one of thwhich flashed and burned at frequntervals; but he drank. Dan's father

been a victim of the habit. I rememmeeting the elder Hillars. He wapicturesque individual, an accomplisscholar, a wide traveller, a diploma


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and a noted war correspondent. work during the Franco-Prussian had placed him in the front rank. A

sending his son Dan to college he tno further notice of him. He was kwhile serving his paper at the siegeAlexandria, Egypt. Dan naturally follow

his father's footsteps both in professand in habits. He had been classmate at college, and no one knhim better than I, except it was hims

The love of adventure and drink ended the life of the one; it might endife of the other.

The foreman in the composing ro

waited some time for that requcolumn and a half of editorial copy. my pipe; and my thoughts ran backhe old days, to the many times Dan


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paid my debts and to the many timhad paid his. Ah, me! those were dwhen love and fame and riches w

elusive and we went in quest of thThe crust is hyssop when the hearyoung. The garret is a palace when hflies unfettered. The most wonde

dreams imaginable are dreamt closehe eaves. And when a man leabehind him the garret, he also leabehind the fondest illusions. But w

who would stay in the garret! And as my thoughts ran on,question rose, Whom would they senhis placeDan's? I knew London. It w

familiar ground. Perhaps they msend me. It was this thought wunsettled me. I was perfectly satiswith New York. Phyllis lived in New Y


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There would be time enough for Lonwhen we were married. Then I begabuild air castles. A newspaper ma

he architect of some splenstructures, but he thoughtlessly buildshe sand when the tide is out. Yforeign corresponding would be all

enough, I mused, with Phyllis at my sWith her as my wife I should have envy of all my fellow craftsmen. should dine at the embassies and

attachs would flutter about us, andLondon would talk of the beautiful "MWinthrop." Then the fire in my pipe-bwent out. The copy boy was at my el

again."Hang you!" said I."The foreman says he's coming do

with an axe," replied the boy.


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It was like churning, but I did mano grind the copy. I was satisfied thatUnited States and Great Britain wo

not go to war over it.The late afternoon mail brought etters. I opened the one fromPhyllis first. It said:

"DEAR JACKUncle Bob has a for the opera to-night, but he has bsuddenly called to Washington; polipossibly, but he would not say. Aunty

want you to go with us in his steEthel and her fianc, Mr. Holland, wilogether, which means that Aunty awill have no one to talk to unless

come. Carmen is to be sung. Pleasenot fail me."PHYLLIS."

Fail her! I thought not.


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Then I read the second letter. I reahree or four times, and even then I wnot sure that I was not dreaming. I cau

up my pipe again, filled it and lit it. I rhe letter once more. I was solemnformed that my uncle was dead hat I was mentioned in the will, and

f I would kindly call at the HoffmHouse the following morning a cersum of money would be given to mregretted that I had reached that

when a man's actions must be dignifalthough alone; otherwise I dare sashould have danced the pas sWhatever my uncle's bequest might b

believed that it would make ndependently rich. I am ashamedadmit that I did not feel sorry at the neof his sudden departure from this lif


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s better to be rich than to be ambitiot is better to have at hand what you whan to work for it, and then not ge

Phyllis was scarcely an arm's lenaway now. I whistled as I locked updesk, and proceeded down stairs sang a siren song into the waxen ear

he cashier."You have only twenty coming week, Mr. Winthrop," said he.

"Never mind," I replied; "I'll manag

get along next week." It was only on vrare occasions that I drew my full pahe end of the week.

I dined at a fashionable restaurant

sipped my wine I built one of castles, and Phyllis reigned therThere would be a trip to Europe evsummer, and I should devote my tim


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writing novels. My picture would be frontispiece in the book reviews, wayside paragraphs would tell of

enormous royalties my publishers wpaying me. I took some old envelofrom my pocket and began figuringhe backs of them as to what purpo

he money should be put. It could noess than $50,000, perhaps more.course my uncle had given a harbor grudge against me and mine, but s

hings are always forgotten on the debed. It occurred to me that I never known before what a fine world it wand I regretted having spoken ill of

glanced across the way. The sky cleared, and the last beams of the flamed in the windows of the buildings. Fortune, having buffeted


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was now going to make me one of favorite children. I had reached the of the long lane.

As I left the restaurant I decideacquaint Phyllis with my good luck also my desire that she should sharet. I turned into a florist's and had a do

roses sent up to her. They wAmerican Beauties. I could afford it nI found Phyllis thrumming on the pia

She was singing in a low voice the

from "Lucia." I stood on the thresholdhe drawing-room and waited till she done. I believed her to be unaware ofpresence. She was what we poets ca

"dream of loveliness," a tangible dreHer neck and shoulders were like saand the head above them reminded of Sappho's which we see in mar


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From where I stood I could catcglimpse of the profile, the nose and chin, the exquisite mouth, to kiss wh

would gladly have given up any numof fortunes. The cheek had that deliccurve of a rose leaf, and when the wblood surged into it there was a colo

matchless as that of a jack-rose. Ah,loved her. Suddenly the music cease"There is a mirror over the pia

Jack," she said, without turning

head.So I crossed the room and sat dowhe chair nearest her. I vaguely wondef, at the distance, she had seen the l

n my eyes when I thought myunobserved."I thank you for those lovely ros

she said, smiling and permitting me


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press her hand."Don't mention it," I replied. It is

difficult for a man to say original thing

he presence of the woman he lovehave great news for you. It reads likfairy tale, you know; happy eafterward, and all that."

"Ah!""Yes. Do you remember my telling of a rich uncle who lived in theSouth?"

"Is it possible that he has left yofortune?" she cried, her eyes shining."You have guessed it.""I am very glad for your sake, Jac

was beginning to worry about you.""Worry about me?""Yes. I do not understand how

newspaper man can afford to buy ro


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four or five times a weekand exShe had the habit of being blunt frank to her intimate friends. I sec

considered it an honor when she talo me like this. "I have told repeatedly to send me flowers only oa week. I'd rather not have them at

Last week you spent as much as $30roses alone. Mr. Holland does nothat for Ethel, and he has a million."

"I'm not Holland," I said. "He doe

that isI do not think he."Then I foundered. I had almost said: doesn't care as much forEthel as I do for you."

Phyllis pretended not to note embarrassment. The others camehen, and conversation streamed safer channels.


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When we entered the box at the ophe curtain had risen. Phyllis and I the rear chairs. They were just out of

glare of the lights."You are looking very beautiful night," I whispered lowly. I was beginnbusiness early. There was no barrie

my lips."Thank you," she replied. Then wismile: "Supposing I were to say that are looking very handsome?"

"Oh," said I, somewhat disconcer"that would be rather embarrassing.""I do not doubt it.""And then it would not be true.

duty we men owe to a beautiful woms constantly to keep telling her of it.""And the duty we women owe t

fine-looking man?" a rogue of a dim


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n her cheeks."Is to explicitly believe all he s

regarding your beauty," I answe

evading the question. "A man may tewoman that she is beautiful, buwoman may not tell a man that he is fooking, that is, in public."

"The terms are not fair.""That may be true, but they make wheels of the social organization smoother. For instance, if I me

strange woman and she told me thwas handsome, I shouldn't be ablespeak again the whole evening. On other hand, a beautiful woman, after

say that you are delighted to meet expects the very next remark to concher good looks."

"Your insight is truly remarkable,"


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said, the dimple continuing its elusmanoeuvres. "Hush; here comCarmen."

And our voices grew faint in the sof melody. Mrs. Wentworth entranced; her daughter was fogazing at the back of her fianc's he

Phyllis had turned her face from mehe stage. As for myself, I was particularly interested in the cigargirl. It was running through my head

he hour had arrived. I patted my glofor a moment, then I drew a long brea"Phyllis!" said I. There was a quave

my voice. Perhaps I had not spoken l

enough. "Phyllis!" said I again.She turned quickly and gave menquiring and at the same time nervglance.


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"What is it?""I want to tell you something I h

never dared to tell you till now," I s

earnestly. The voice on the stage soaheavenward. "I love you. Will you bewife?"

Ah, me! where were those droo

eyelids, that flush, that shy, sweet glaof which I had so often dreamt? Phwas frowning.

"Jack, I have been afraid of this,"

said. "I am so sorry, but it cannot be.""Oh, do not say that now," I crcrushing my gloves. "Wait awperhaps you may learn to love me."

"Jack, I have always been frank to because I like you. Do you supposwill take me five years to find out wmy heart says to any man? No. Ha


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oved you I should not have asked yowait; I should have said yes. I do not lyou in the way you wish. Indeed, I

you better than any man I know, but s all I can offer you. I should be unkinheld out any false hopes. I have oasked myself why I do not love you,

here is something lacking in ysomething I cannot define. Some owoman will find what I have failed to n you to love."

I was twisting my gloves out ofrecognition. There was a singing inears which did not come from the sta

"Look at it as I do, Jack. There

man in this world whom I shall love, who will love me. We may never mThen he shall be an ideal to me, andhim. You believe you love me, but


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ove you offer is not complete.""Not complete?" I echoed."No. It would be if I returned it. Do

understand? There is in this worlwoman you will truly love and who return your love in its fulness. Will meet? That is in the hands of y

destinies. Shall I meet my ideal? Wknows? But till I do, I shall remain anmaid."

I nodded wearily. A dissertation

affinities seemed ill-timed."And now," she said, "this beaufriendship of ours must come to an eAnd there were tears in her eyes.

"Yes," said I, twisting and untwishe shreds of my gloves. It seemedhough the world had slipped from unmy feet and I was whirling


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nothingness. "My heart is very heavy.""Jack, if you talk like that," hastily, "

will have me crying before all th

people."Unfortunately Ethel turned and sawears in her cousin's eyes.

"Mercy! what is the matter?"

asked."Jack has been telling me a vpathetic story," said Phyllis, with a pither eyes.

"Yes; something that happened night," said I, staring at the programbut seeing nothing, nothing.

"Well," said Ethel, "this is not the pl

for them," turning her eyes to the stagain.The concluding acts of the opera w

a jangle of chords and discords, and


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hum of voices was like the murmur far-off sea. My eyes remained fixed uhe stage. It was like looking throug

broken kaleidoscope. I wanted to alone, alone with my pipe. I was gwhen we at last entered the carriaMrs. Wentworth immediately began

extol the singers, and Phyllis, with act which is given only to kind-heawomen, answered most of the indiquestions put to me. She was giving

ime to recover. The direct questiocould not avoid. Occasionally I looout of the window. It had begun to again. It was very dreary.

"And what a finale, Mr. Winthrcried Mrs. Wentworth,"Yes, indeed," I replied. To have lo

and lost, and such a woman, was


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hought."The new tenor is an improvement.

you not think so?"

"Yes, indeed." No more to touch hand, to hear her voice, to wait uponwishes.

"It was the most brilliant audience

he season.""Yes, indeed," I murmured. Thwere the only words I could articulate.

The carriage rumbled on.

"Does Patti return in the fall?""Yes." Five years of dreaming, hen to awake! And then the carriage mer

stopped.Mrs. Wentworth insisted that I shoenter and have some coffee. I hadfew words at my command that I co


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not invent even a flimsy excuse. Swent in. The coffee was tasteless. I pfour lumps of sugar. I stirred and sti

and stirred. Finally, I swallowed contents of the cup. It was very When the agony was past I rose made my adieu.

Phyllis came to the door with me."Forget what I have said," I begfumbling the door-knob. "I suppose I wan ass to think that you might love

They say that it is a malady. Very wWith a few prescribed remedies I srecover."

"You are very bitter."

"Can you blame me," clicking the laback and forth, "when all the world suddenly grown dark?"

"There are other eyes than mi


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gently."Yes; but they will light other paths t

hose I shall follow."

"Jack, you are too manly to mhreats.""That was not a threat," said I. "W

shall go and laugh at myself for

presumption. To laugh at yourself icure. There is no more wine in the cnothing but the lees. I'll have to dhem. A wry face, and then it will al

over. Yes, I am bitter. To have dreamas I have dreamed, and to awake have! Ah, well; I must go on loving ill"

"Till she comes," supplemenPhyllis."You wrong me. It is only in letters t

am versatile. Forgive my bitterness


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forget my folly.""Oh, Jack, if you knew how sorry I

shall forgive the bitterness, but I will

forget what you term folly. It's somethany woman might be proud of, the lof an honest, dear, good fellow. Gnight." She held her hand toward me.

"Good night," I said, "and God byou!" I kissed the palm of her haopened the door, and then stumbdown the steps.

I do not remember how I reachome.It was all over.My beautiful castle had fallen in ru

about my ears.


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2Chapter

n my bedroom the next morning thwas a sad and heavy heart. The owwoke up, stared at the ceiling, then atsun-baked bricks beyond his windHe saw not the glory of the sun and heavens. To his eyes there was nothpoetic in the flash of the distant chuspires against the billowy cloudbanThe gray doves, circling about

chimneys, did not inspire him, nor wittering of the sparrows on the windedge. There was nothing at all in


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world but a long stretch of barren, loyears. And he wondered how, withoutat his side, he ever could traverse th

He was driftwood again. He had bupon sands as usual, and the tide come in; his castle was flotsam jetsam. He was drifting, and he d

care where. He was very sorry himself, and he had the blue devils worst kind of way. Finally he crawledof bed and dressed because it had

be done. He was not particupainstaking with the procedure.mattered not what collar became best, and he picked up a tie at rand

A man generally dresses for a cewoman's approval, and when that isonger to be gained he grows indifferThe other women do not count.


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My breakfast consisted of a cupcoffee; and as the generous newarmed my veins my thoughts too

philosophical turn. It is fate who wrhe was, the is, and the shall be. have a proverb for every joy misfortune. It is the only consolation

gives us. It is like a conqueror askingvanquished to witness the looting.roads lead to Rome, and all proveare merely sign posts by which

pursue our destinies. And how was get to Rome? I knew not. Hope is behan clairvoyance.

Was Phyllis right when she said th

did not truly love her? I believed Should I go on loving her all my Undoubtedly I should. As to affinitiehad met mine, but it had proved a o


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sided affair.It was after ten by the clock whe

remembered that I was to meet

awyer, the arbiter of my new fortunMoney is a balm for most things, coupled with travel it might lead meforget.

He was the family lawyer, and he come all the way North to see threceived my uncle's bequest. He wbent, gray and partially bald. He m

have been close to seventy, but fohat there was a youthful twinkle in eyes as he took my card and lookednto my face.

"So you are John Winthrop?" he sn way of preliminary. You may hancard case full of your name to a lawand still he will insist upon a ve


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admission."I have always been led to believe answered smartly, placing my

beside the chair in which I sat do"How did you manage to locate mhis big city?"

"Your uncle had seen some of y

signed articles in New York papers, said that in all probability I should you here. A few inquiries set me on yrack." Here he pulled out a leng

document from his handbag. "I confehowever," he added, "that I somewhat disappointed in your looks

"Disappointed in my looks!" was

cry. "What sort of a duffer were expecting to see?"He laughed. "Well, your uncle gave

he idea that I should find a good-


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nothing hack-writer, a dweller in soobscure garret."

"If that is the case, what under the

did he send you up here for?"The merriment went out of the man's face and his eyes became gra"Of that anon. Let me proceed with

business and read the will to you. Youfind it rather a remarkable document.I settled back in my chair in a wai

attitude. To tell the truth, I was somew

confused by all this preamble. To his my uncle left the bulk of his propewhich amounted to more than a milliowas listless. The head overseer rece

he munificent sum of $50,000; to butler, the housekeeper and the cookgave $10,000 each. I began to gnterested. He was very liberal to


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servants. Several other names wread, and my interest assumed the cof anxiety. When the lawyer stopped

unfold the last flap, I spoke."And where in the world do I come"

"In the sense you understand, you

not come in."I stared at him in amazement. "I dcome in?" I repeated vaguely. "Areaching down for my hat, "then I go

as it were;" as brilliant as a Lonyellow fog. "What the devil does all mean?" I started to rise.

"Wait!" he commanded. "'To

nephew, John Winthrop, I bequeath sum of $1,000 to be presented to himperson immediately after this wilprobated, and with the understand


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hat he shall make no further demupon my son and heir in the future.' Ts all," concluded the lawyer, folding

document. "I have the check in pocket.""Keep it," said I, rising. A hot flush

ndignation swept over me. I understo

t was his revenge. To have a man msport of you after he is dead and goeaving you impotent and with nevechance to retaliate! "Keep it," I s

again; "throw it away, or burn understand. He has satisfied a prevenge. It is an insult not only to me,o my dead parents. You are, of cou

acquainted with the circumstances ofmother's marriage. She married the mshe loved, disregarding her brothwishes."


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"I knew your mother," said the lawgoing to the window and looking out beyond all that met his gaze.

"To think," I went on, cooling no"that my mother's brother should dihis manner, nourishing so small petty a spite! When he did this he kn

hat I should understand his motive. Infirst place, I never dreamed that would remember me in his will; neentertained the least idea of it. I

ndependent; I am earning a livelihosmall, but enough and to spare. I'll you good morning." I took a step towhe door.

"Young man, sit down," said the man, coming back to his chair. "I wanalk to you for a few minutes. Your uwas a peculiarly vindictive man. Wha


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considered a wrong he neither forgotforgave. His son pleaded with him noput in that final clause. He offered e

o share with you. Your uncle sworewould leave it all to the stablemen fThis journey was forced upon me, should not have taken it. This is

advice to you: Accept the check, in privacy of your room tear it up, or ligcigar with it; that's about all it's worth. will feel no little satisfaction in lightin

cigar with it, that is, if you are anythike me. Think of it! a thousand dollaright your cigar. It is an opportunity nobe missed. When you grow old you

say to your grandchildren: 'Once I cigar with a thousand-dollar check.' oldest inhabitant will be silenced foret may become history. And then, to


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here are spirits, as Scripture says thare, your uncle's will writhe at performance. I trust that you will forg

me my part in the matter. I have takefancy to you, and if you will accept friendship I shall be happy to accyours. Your uncle's revenge will not b

marker to the restitution his son make.""Restitution?his son?""Yes. To my sincere regret he is

nvalid who may or may not live the yout. He has already made a will, in whe leaves all to you. The will is in my sat home. I return to-night, so I may

see you again in this world of sin ribulation." The merry twinkle returned to his eyes. "I am very old."

"It is worth all the trouble to have


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you," said I. "You should have madeolt very easy."

So we shook hands, and he gave

a cigar, around which was wrapped check. He winked. Then he laughed, joined him, though my laug

resembled mirth less than it did

cackle of a hen which was disturover the future of her brood.I left him and went down into the w

room and ordered a stiff brandy

soda. When that disappeared I ordeanother. I rattled the ice in the glass. "ha, ha!" I roared, as the events of past twenty-four hours recurred to

There must have been a suicidal acco my laughter, for the bartender looat me with some concern. I calledanother brandy and shot the soda in


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myself. I watched the foam evapor"Ha, ha, ha!"

"Hard luck?" the bartender as

sympathetically."Yes," said I. I seemed to be speako several bartenders who looked at with several varieties of compassion.

"Have another on me," said bartender.I had another, and went out into

street. I walked down Broadw

chuckling to myself. What a glorifarce it all was! My fortune! Phyllis wife! What if she had accepted meaughed aloud, and people turned

stared at me. Oh, yes! I was to travel write novels and have my picturesbook reviews, and all that! Whearrived at the office I was on the verg


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otal insanity. I was obliged to ask paragrapher to write my next deader. It was night before I beca

rational, and once that, the whole wdonned cap and bells and becapering for my express benefit. more I thought of it, the more I laugh

What a whimsical world it was! And where anything in it so grotesque aspart? I took the check from my pocand cracked it between my fingers

cigar was in my mouth. Should I ligwith the check? It was for $1,000. Aall, it was more than I had ever beheld in my hand at once. But what wa

paltry thousand, aye a paltry housand, to a man's pride? I bit off end of my cigar, creased the check a taper, and struck a match. I watche


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burn and burn. I struck another. I hewithin an inch of the check, but for theof me I could not light it.

"The devil take it!" I cried. I flung cigar out of the window and laid check on my desk. Courage? Whyneeded the courage of a millionaire

ight a cigar with a $1,000 check!The office boy, who came in then, wsalvation. The managing editor wano see me. I sprang up with alac

anything but the sight of that figure 1 he three demon eyes of that $1,check!

"Winthrop," said the managing ed

o me as I entered his office, "you'veo go to London. Hillars has gunder"

"Not dead!" I cried.


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"No, no! He has had to give up wemporarily on account of drink. If it wany other man I'd throw him over in s

order. But I feel sorry for Hillars, and Igoing to give him another chance. I wyou to go over and take care of himpossible. The London work is not new

you. You can handle that and Hillars f you can keep him in check"I shuddered. The word "check" ja

on my nerves.

"What's the matter?" asked the edi"A temporary chill," I said. "Go on.""Well, if you can manage to keep

n check for a month or so he'll be a

o get on his feet again. And it will be a vacation to you. If anything happenHillars you will be expected to rempermanently abroad. Hillars sugges


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you in his letter. Will you be ready tonext Monday?"

"To-morrow if you like," I answe

readily enough. Here was an opportunot to be missed. To see new sceand faces is partially to forget old one

"Very well. I'll give you some let

which will help you. Our office is in Strand. Hillars will find you lodgings.has bachelor quarters in the west enhe town, where congenial sp

congregate. Come in to-morrow we'll talk it over."I was much pleased with the turn

events. If I could get away from New Y

might forget Phyllisno, not forget hoved her too well ever to forget her;he prolonged absence would cure of my malady.


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Before going to bed that night I cigar, but not with the check. On sosecond thought I calculated that the s

would pay up all my debts and leavea comfortable margin. A man can pocket his pride when he pockethousand dollars with it. And why no

was about to start life anew and mighwell begin on a philosophical basis. Wknew but my uncle had foreseen result of his bequest; my rage, my pr

and finally lighting a cigar with check? It really might make his swrithe to better effect if I becabenefited. Sober second thought

more or less a profitable investment.On the morrow everything warranged for my departure. I waseave Saturday morning.


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It was a beautiful day, crisp and clwith a bare ground which rang to heel. In the afternoon I wandered ove

he Park and sat down on a bench, watched the skaters as they glidedand fro. I caught myself wishing thwas a boy again, with an hour's romp

he sheeny crust in view. Gradually mantle of peace fell upon me, and thwas a sense of rest. I was goingforgive the world the wrong it had d

me; perhaps it would feel ashamedtself and reward me for my patienceHillars was "going to pieces." Itstrange how we men love another w

has shared and spent with us our patrimonies. Hillars and I had bfriends since our youth, and we had liogether till a few years back. Then


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went to Washington, from there to Pahence to London. He was a benewspaper man than I. I liked to dre

oo well, while he was always for a action. Liquor was getting the beshim. I wondered why. It might bewoman. There is always one aro

somewhere when a man's breath smof whisky. A good deal of this womaemperance business is caused remorse. I was drawing aimless pictu

n the frozen gravel, when I becaaware that two skaters had stoppefront of me. I glanced up and saw Phand Ethel, their eyes like stars and t

cheeks like roses."I was wondering if it was you," sEthel. "Phyllis, where is my cavalier?"

"I believe he has forsaken us," s


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he voice of the woman I loved."Will you not accept part of the ben

" I asked, moving along.

The girls dropped easily beside me"I was just wishing I was a boy agand was in for a game of hockey," sa"I am going to London on Saturday.

foreign correspondent has had to gup work on account of ill health.""You haven't" Phyllis stop

suddenly.

"Oh, no," said I intuitively. "I growing rusty, and they think I neevacation." I was glad Ethel was thwith her voluble chatter.

"Oh, a foreign correspondent!"' cried."Yes.""You will have a glorious time. P


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will probably return to B when next administration comes in. It is surbe Republican." There are a few wom

who pose as Democrats; I never one of them. "You know papa was thwenty years ago. I suppose you wilhob-nobbing with dukes and princes.

"It cannot be avoided," I said gravedo not expect to remain long in LondWhen my work is done perhaps I sravel and complete my foreign polish

"Oh, yes!" said Phyllis. "I forgot toyou, Ethel, that a fortune has been leJack, and he need not work but for ove of it."

I laughed, but they thought it a sconscious laugh. Somehow I was equal to the task of enlightening them

"It is jolly to be rich," said Et


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clicking her skates together. "It'sbother at times, however, to know wo do with the money. I buy so m

hings I do not need just because I compelled to spend my allowance.""It must be very inconvenient

observed.

"And now that you are a maneisure," said Phyllis, "you will write book you have always been telling about?"

"Do you wish it?" I asked."I do. What I have always foacking in you is application. You starto accomplish something, you find

obstacle in your path and you do surmount it; you do not persevere."My pulse beat quickly. Was ther

double meaning to what she said


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could not tell, for her eyes remaiaverted.

I sighed. "It would be nice to beco

a successful author, but when a maas rich as I am fame tarnishes." I tout an envelope from my pocket.

"What is that?" asked Phyllis.

I turned over the back and showeo her."Figures!" she laughed. "What do t

mean?"

"It is what I am going to do with fortune," said I. I was holding out vanity at arm's length and laughing silently.

"Your air castles will be realized nosaid Phyllis."I shall build no more," said I. "The

one gave me a very bad fall."


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Phyllis looked away again. A vaperfume from her hair wafted past nostrils, and for a space I w

overwhelmed with sadness. Soodiscerned Mr. Holland speeding towus.

"I shall not see you again," I said,

'll bid you good-bye now. If you shochance to come abroad this summernot fail to look me up."

"Good luck to you," said Et

shaking my hand. "You must bring hoa Princess or a Duchess." Then moved off a way, thoughtfully.

"You must write to me occasion

Jack," said Phyllis, "if only once a moshall always be interested in ycareer."

The smile faltered as she put out


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gloved hand."You will make some man hap

Phyllis," I said.

"Good-bye.""Good-bye." And thenand then they sped aw

and I followed them with dimming g

ill I could see them no more. I trudhome .I stood on the upper deck. The sp

and domes of the city faded on my s

ill all merged into a gray smoky patchhe horizon. With a dead cigar clencbetween my teeth I watched watched with a callous air, as tho

here had been no wrench, as thouhad not left behind all I loved in the woAnd yet I gazed, the keen salt air singpast my ears, till there was nothing


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he sea as far as the eye could scan.Thus I began the quest of the elus

which is a little of love, a little

adventure, and a little of all things.


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3Chapter

Hillars hadn't been down to the officwo days, so the assistant said.

"Is he ill?" I asked, as I carried a co the window.

"Ill?" The young man cougaffectedly.

"Do you believe it possible for himcome in this afternoon?"

"It is quite possible. One does not

he word impossible in regard to Hillt is possible that he may be in Petersburg by this time, for all I kn


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You see," with an explanatory wavehe hand, "he's very uncertain in movements. For the last six months

has been playing all over the tableuse the parlance of the roulette playhave had to do most of the work, ake care of him into the bargain. If I m

ake you into my confidence," some hesitancy."Certainly," said I. "I want you to tell

all about him. He was my roommat

college. Perhaps I can straighten up.""The truth is, the trouble began

September. He came back from

Continent, where he had been onerrand, a changed man. Hillars alwdrank, but never to an alarming extOn his return, however, he was in a


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shape. It was nearly November befogot him sobered up; and then he wunder on an average of three time

week. I asked him bluntly what he meby it, and he frankly replied that ifwanted to drink himself to death, was his business. When he isn't h

seas over he is gloomy and moroFrom the first I knew that something gone wrong on the mainland; bcouldn't trap him for a farthing. No m

at his age drinks himself to death withcause; I told him so, but he only laugat me. I'd give a good deal to know whe truth is; not from curiosity, mind y

but to find the disease in order to appremedy. Dan's father died of drink.""No," said I coldly; "he was shot.""Oh, I know that," was the reply;


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give a conditioned man the same woand he will recover, nine times out of The elder Hillars was so enervated

drink that he had no strength to fight fever which came on top of the buhole. Something happened over thand it's pounds to pence there's

woman back of the curtain. It is soone worth while. Hillars is not a manfall in love with a barmaid."

I began to respect the young ma

wisdom."So you believe it to be a woman?""Yes. The wind blows from one poin

a time. There are four points to the v

of destiny; there is ambition for gambition for power, ambition for weaand ambition for love. In Hillars's casince the wind does not blow from


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first three, it must necessarily blow fhe fourth. You know him better than Iso you must certainly know that Hillar

not a man to drink because glorypower or wealth refused to visit him."

"You are a very discerning yoman," said I, whereat he laughed. "

he get my cable?""No. I thought that it was some ofrom headquarters and opened it mysput it in his desk. I spoke to him, bu

was too drunk to pay any heed to whsaid. Well, I must be going. I am getout a symposium of editorials from morning papers on the possibility o

Franco-Russian alliance. It must behe cable office in half an hour. If yougoing to wait, you'll find the Berlin Paris files in the next room. I'll see


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ater," and he departed.It was five of the clock. The Str

was choked. Here and there I saw

color of martial attire. Save for this, hat the buildings were low and soand that most of the people walslower, I might have been looking do

upon Broadway for all the changeplace I saw. There is not much differebetween New York and London, excn the matter of locomotion.

American gets around with more raphan does his English cousin, but in ong run he accomplishes no more. only when one steps onto the Contin

hat the real difference in the humraces is discerned. Strange as this mseem, it is not distinguishable incosmopolitan city. My eyes were gree


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with the same huge wearisome signhe merchants; the same sad-e"sandwich men;" the same newsb

yelling and scampering back and fohe same rumble of the omnibuses, roar of the drays, and the rattle of cabs. I was not much interested in

saw. Suddenly my roving eyes resupon a familiar face. It was Hillars, he was pushing rapidly across the strAny one would have instantly ma

him for an American by the nervstride, the impatience at beobstructed. I went into the fire-rontending to give him a little surpris

did not have long to wait. The door tomain office opened and he camesinging a snatch from a drinking swe used to sing at college. The


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baritone that had once made the glee club famous was a bit husky hroaty. I heard him unlock his desk

roll back the lid. There was a quiet fomoment.

"Dick!" he called. "Hi, Dick! Well,hanged!"

Evidently he had discovered my ca"Dick isn't in," said I, crossing hreshold.

In a moment our hands were wel

ogether, and we were gazing into eother's eyes."You old reprobate!" I cried; "no

have met me at the station, even."

"Bless my soul, Jack, this cable whe first intimation that you were w3,000 miles of London. But it doesheart good to see you!" pumping


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hand again. "Come out to dinner me. Now don't begin to talk till we've something to eat; I'm almost famishe

know all the questions you want to abut not now. There's a Bohemian joiblock above that'll do your heart goosee. We'll have chops and ale, just

we did in the old days, the green salad days, I would they were bagain"soberly. "Oh, I've a long storell you, my son; time enough when

get to my rooms; but not a word of it nnot a word. It will all be forgotten inminutes with you. We'll rake up the days and live 'em over for an hour or

'm glad that I suggested you in my leWhat did the old man say about nervous prostration?"with half a lau

"He put quotation marks around


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answered. "I wanted to see particularly. They told me that you wrolling downhill so fast that if some

did not put a fulcrum under you, you'dat the bottom in no time at all. I'm goo be the lever by which you are torolled uphill again."

He smiled grimly. "If any one couldhatwell, here we are;" and we entehe chop house and took a table in of the side rooms. "Woods," he sai

he waiter, "chops for two, chippotatoes, and fill up those steins of mwith ale. That will be all. I brought thsteins from across, Jack; you'll go cr

over them, for they are beauties." A college-bred bachelor, nine tout of ten, has a mania for collecpipes or steins, or both. Dan and I


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been affected this way. During the yehad studied at Heidelberg I gathered together some fifty odd pi

and steins. I have them yet, and manpleasant memory they beget me. Ashe steins of Dan, they were beycompare.

"I'll tell you a story about them," sDan, after he had taken a deep swaof the amber ale. "Few men can boof steins like these. Not many mon

ago there was a party of men women, belonging to the capital ocertain kingdom, who attended a dint was one of those times when exa

personages divest themselves of dignity and pomp of court and becofree and informal. There were twenthese steins made especially for


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sober in a month. It's drink or morphor something like. Do you ever anything of the old glee boys?"

"Once in a while. You know," saighting a cigarette, "all the fellows you and I had money. Most of them carrying on the business of their pa

and ornamenting dinner parties cotillions.""I thought that you had a rich unc

said Dan.

"I did have, but he is no more," aold him all about the bequest.He laughed so long and heartily ov

hat I was glad for his sake that it

happened. Already I was beginningook wholly upon the humorous sidehe affair.

"It is almost too good not to


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printed," he said. "But his son msquare matters when he dies."

"I do not want matters squared

growled. "I can earn a living for a years to come. I shan't worry."

"By the way, is that Miss Landwhom you used to rave about in y

etters married yet?""No." Miss Landors was Phyllis onlher intimate friends. I called the waand ordered him to replenish my st

Dan watching me curiously the w"No, Miss Landors is not married yet."I have often wondered what

ooked like," he mused.

"When do you go on your vacationasked irrelevantly."In a week or ten days; may be

morrow. It's according to how long I


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sober."I was sorry that he had recalled to

he name of Phyllis. It dampened

sociability. I was not yet prepared to thim into my confidence. The however, loosened our tongues, hough we did not talk about our pres

affairs we had a pleasant trecounting the days when we wyoung in the sense that we had no rouble. Those were the times when

were earning fifteen and twenty week; when our watches were alwaydurance vile; when we lied to the pwasherwoman and to the landlady; w

we would always be "around to-morrand "settle up" with our creditors."There was no ennui those da

aughed Hillars.


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"True. Do you remember the day stayed in bed because it was cheapesleep than work on an empty stomach

"And do you remember the timsaved you from jail by giving the Shmy new spring overcoat to paywasherwoman's bill of six mon

standing?""I hung around Jersey City that dsaid I. And then there was more ale; so on. It was nine when at last we ros

"Well, we'll go back to the office get your case," said Dan. "Where's yrunk?"

"At the Victoria."

"All your luggage must be sent torooms. I will not hear of your goelsewhere for lodging while in towhave a floor, and you shall share it. It


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bachelor's ranch from basement garret, inhabited by artists, journalone or two magazine men, a cle

novelist, and three of our New York mThere is no small fry save myself. have little banquets every Friday niand they sometimes last till Satur

noon. I've taught the Frenchman wrepresents the Paris Temps how to poker, and he threatens to becomeFrankenstein, who will eventually dev

me." Hillars laughed, and it sounded he laughter of other days. "Jack, I thyou will do me good. Stay with me keep me away from the bottle if you c

No man drinks for pure love of liquor.father never loved it, and God knowhat he was trying to forget. For thhe substance of it all, to forget. W


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you start out to the point of forgetfulneyou must keep it up; regret comes bhreefold with soberness. It seems

and weak for a man who has bbuffeted as I have, who is supposedgather wisdom and philosophy assnowball gathers snow as it rolls do

hill, to try to drown regret disappointment in liquor. A man neknows how weak he is till he meets one woman and she will have none

him." And somehow I got closer to Hilspiritually. There were two of us, sseemed, only I was stronger, or else

passion did not burn so furiously as hThe apartments occupied by were all a bachelor could wish for. walls were covered with photograp


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original drawings, beer steins, pipeslipper here, a fan there, and books books and books. I felt at home at on

I watched Hillars as he moved abhe room, tidying up things a bit, anoticed now more than ever hchanged he was. His face had gro

hin, his hair was slightly worn at crown and temples, and there were dcircles under his eyes. Yet, for all thsigns of dissipation, he was stil

remarkably handsome man. Thoughso robust as when I last saw him, form was yet elegant. In the old dayshad called him Adonis, and Donie

clung to him long after the Cambriime."Now," said he, when we had ligh

our pipes, "I'll tell you why I'm going to


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dogs. I've got to tell it to some one odaft; and I can't say that I'm not daft as."

"It is a woman," said I, after reflect"who causes a man to drink, to loseambition."

"It is."

"It is a woman," I went on, holdingamber stem of my pipe before the lwhich gleamed golden through ransparent gum, "who causes a ma

pull up stakes and prospect for nclaims, to leave the new country for old."

"It is a woman indeed," he replied.

was gazing at me with a new interesthe woman had accepted him, he wonot have been here."

"No, he would not," said I.


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"In either case, yours or mine.""In either case. Go on with your st

here's nothing more to add to mine."

Some time passed, and nothing he breathing of the pipes was heNow and then I would poke away at ashes in my pipe bowl, and Dan wo

do the same."Have you a picture of her?" I askreaching for some fresh tobacco.

"No; I am afraid to keep one."

To me this was a new phase in matter of grand passions."A likeness which never changes

expression means nothing to me,"

explained. "Her face in all its moodgraven in my mind; I have but to shuteyes, and she stands before me inher loveliness. Do you know wh


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wanted this vacation? Rest?" shoulders went up and his lips cloighter. "My son, I want no rest. It is

which is killing me. I am going acrosam going to see her again, if only fhe curb as she rolls past in her carriaooking at me but not recognizing

elling her footman to brush me asshould I attempt to speak to her. Ywould suffer this humiliation to see glorious face once more, to hear ag

hat voice, though it were keyed to scam a fool, Jack. What! have I gonehese years free-heart to love a chimn the end? Verily I am an ass. She

Princess; she has riches; she haprincipality; she is the ward of a KWhat has she to do with such as I? Thmonths in the year she dwells in her p


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palace; the other months find her hand there; Paris, St. Petersburg,Rome, as fancy wills. And I, I love he

t not rich? What am I? A grub burrowat the root of the tree in which she, likbird of paradise, displays her roplumage. 'Masters, remember that I

an ass; though it be not written down,forget not that I am an ass.' The fathehis Princess once rendered the presKing's father a great service, and

return the King turned over to his caprincipality whose lineal descendahad died out. It was with understanding that so long as

retained the King's goodwill, just so lhe might possess the principality, hat when he died the sovereignty wopass to his children. The old King d


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and his son sat upon his father's throThe father of the Princess also died. King of to-day made the same terms

his father before him. The PrincHildegarde accepted them, not counhe cost. Last spring she was coronaShortly before the coronation, Pri

Ernst of Wortumborg became a sufor her hand. The King was very mpleased. Prince Ernst was a cousinhe Princess Hildegarde's father,

had striven for the principality in the dgone by. The King, thinking to repairmaginary wrongs of the Prince, forhe suit. He impressed upon

Princess that it was marry the Princegive up her principality. She gave consent, not knowing what to do unhe circumstances. Prince Ernst i


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Prince without principality or revenuesmarrying the Princess he acquires boshall tell you how I became concerned

Hillars laid his smoking pipe in the pan. He got up and roamed about room, stopped at the window and staat the inken sky, then returned to

chair.


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4Chapter

shall tell Hillars's story as he told it.said:

Last August I went to B. mission was important and took mehe British Legation, where I am known. I was most cordially invitedattend a ball to be given the nevening. The notables of the court where. For a few moments the King

his sun shine on the assemblage. It wa brilliant spectacle. At midnight I sawhe first time a remarkably beau


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woman. I was looking well myself night. All women like to see brshoulders in a man. It suggests stren

something they have not. Sevimes this young woman's eyes mine. Somehow, mine were always o fall. There was a magnetism in h

mine could not withstand. Later, attach came to me and said thatwished to present me to her SerHighness the Princess Hildegarde

let us call it Hohenphalia. whispered that she had commandedntroduction. I expected to see sored-faced dowager who wanted to

me about my country and bore me her guttural accents. To my intepleasure, I found myself at the sidehe beauty whom I had been admir


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There was a humorous light in her eas she put some questions to me.

"Do you speak German?" she as

n that language."Poorly, your Highness," I answered"Perhaps, then, you speak French?"As I do my mother tongue," said I.

"I am interested in Americans," said."Collectively or individually?" I trie

say this with perfect innocence, but

smile on her lips told me that I had fai"Yes, I was sure that you would inteme."

She tapped the palm of her hand

he fan she held. "Shall I tell you wdesired to meet you?"I nodded."I have heard it said that the Amer


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bows down before a title; and I amwoman, and curious."

Said I, laughing: "Your Highness

been misinformed. We never bow do a title; it is to the wearers that bow."

This time her eyes fell.

"This sort of conversation is altogenew to me," she said, opening the fan"I hope that I have not offended y

Highness," I said.

"Indeed, no. But it seems so strao have any one talk to me with sfrankness and deliberation. Have youfear?"

"There is seldom fear where theradmiration. If you had used the wawe, now"

Soft laughter rippled over the fan. S


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had the most wonderful eyes."Are all Americans brave

yourself?" she next asked.

"Brave? What do you call brave?""Your utter lack of fear in my presen

n the first place: I am called dangeroAnd then, your exploits in the Balkis

n the second place. Are you not theHillars whose bravery not so long was an interesting topic in newspapers? I know you."

"This is truly remarkable," said I. "only thing I did was to lead a regimout of danger."

"The danger was annihilation. I

Captain or a Colonel had done it, should have thought nothing of it; buutter stranger, who had nothingcommon with either causeah, beli


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me, it was a very gallant thing to do.""This is positively the first time I w

ever glad that I did the thing." I placed

hand over my heart. "But, after all, thanot half so brave as what I am donow."

"I do not understand," said

puzzled."Why, it is simple. Here I am talkinyou, occupying your time and keephose fierce Generals at bay. See

hey are gnawing their mustaches biting their lips and asking one anowho I am. There are as many as challenges waiting for me the mome

depart from your side."There was mischief in her eye."Then you shall stay with me, find

an ice and waltz once with me, fo


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anything happened to you I shoalways have myself to blame."

I waltzed with her, and the perfum

her hair got into my head, and I gdizzy. When the dance came to an enwent into the smoking room. Suddenwent through my brain that the world

changed in an incredibly short timried to smoke, and for the first timmy life, tobacco was tasteless, I wfalling in love with a Princess. I conf

hat it did not horrify me; on the contragrew thrilled and excited. There waspice here which hitherto had bdenied me. The cost was unspelled.

as far as I could fall. The uncertainthe affair was in itself an enchantmenWell, the next day I strolled up

Avenue of Legations and saw he


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horseback. She was accompaniedan elderly man with a face like eagle's. There were various decorat

on his breast. As the Princess saw she bent her head. She remembeme. That was all that was necessarymy transportation. Later, I was inform

hat her escort was Prince ErnstWortumborg, who was destined become her lord and master. I did care who he was; I knew that I hated h

For a week I lingered on. I met ime and again; alone on horsebackhe various embassies and at the opAt these meetings I learned a great d

about her. She was known to be most capricious woman at court, hat she was as courageous as she wdaring; and that the Prince m


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consider himself lucky if he got King's will or no King's will. She had iking for her intended. She treated

contemptuously and held his desireutter disregard. One fine morning I wold that the Prince was beginningnotice my attentions, that he was on

he most noted pistol shots swordsmen on the Continent, and thahad any particular regard for epidermis I would cease my attenda

on the Princess at once. This, of coumade me more attentive than ever; can hold my own with any man whecomes to pistols, and I can handle

rapier with some success.It was one night at the opera that climax was brought about. I sat in onhe stalls diagonally across from


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royal box, where she sat. She saw and gave me the barest nod recognition. Perhaps she did not wis

attract the attention of the ropersonages who sat with her; for the struck me as clandestine. Between first and second acts a note was han

o me. It was not addressed, neither wt signed. But it was for me; the bespoke my name. As near as I remember, the note contained th

words:"A carriage will await you two blosouth; it will be without lights. You enter it exactly ten minutes after

opera is ended."That was all, but it was enough. Whreturned to my seat I found the Princgazing intently at me. I made


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affirmative gesture and was rewarwith a smile which set my bloodrushing. I made little out of the last a

could not dream what the anonymnote had behind it. I suspicionedntrigue, but what use had she for meAmerican, a very nobody? Somet

unusual was about to take place awas to be a witness or a participant oThat was as far as my talent for logdeduction went. Promptly at the sta

ime I stood at the side of the carriagwas the plainest sort of an afEvidently it had been hired for occasion. The door opened.

"Step in, monsieur," said a low von French. I obeyed. The horse starAs we spun along the pavement a flashed into the window. The Princ


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sat before me. There was a ringing inears, and I breathed quickly. But I saidword; it was for her to speak first.

"Monsieur is an American," began. "The American is of a chivarace."

"That should be the aim of all me

replied."But it is not so. Monsieur, I have bstudying you for the past week. To-nigplace my honor and my fame in y

hands; it is for you to prove that you a knight. I trust you. When I have swhat I shall say to you, you may withdor give me your aid, as you please."

"I am grateful for your confidence, yHighness," said I. "What is it that wish me to do?"

"Have patience, monsieur, till the


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s done," she said. "Do not speak agill I permit you. I must think."

The journey was accomplished in

an hour."It is here, monsieur, that we alig

she said as the carriage stopped.I was glad that her opera cloak wa

dark material and that she wore a veiThe building before which we stwas on the outskirts of the city. Far ao my left I could see the flickering lig

of the palaces; a yellowish haze hover all. Once within the building I nowith surprise the luxurious appointmePlainly it was no common inn, a re

for the middle and traveling classwhether it was patronized by the nobicould only surmise.

"We shall continue to speak


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French," she said, as she threw bher cloak and lifted her veil. "Monshas probably heard that the Princ

Hildegarde is a creature of extravagcaprices; and he expects an escapad

"Your Highness wrongs me,protested. "I am an obscure Americ

your Highness does not share yours"I stopped, not wishing to give the t

escapade to anything she might do. A

matter of fact she has caused her roguardian, the King, no end of trouShe went to Paris once unattendedanother time she roamed aro

Heidelberg and slashed a fencmaster; she had donned a studegarb. She is said to be the finswordswoman on the Continent.


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notwithstanding her caprices, she inoble-minded woman. She does hese things called social vaga

because she has a fine scorn for nnate hypocrisy of the soorganization of this country. She lofreedom not wisely but too well. To go

"Monsieur wrongs me also," she s"In what are termed my escapades Ialone. You appealed to me," withdirectness which amazed me, "beca

of your handsome face, your elegform, your bright eyes. You are a mwho loves adventure which has the spof danger in it. My countrymen."

crooked one of her bare shouldwhich shone like yellow ivory in subdued light. This rank flattery coome. A woman who has any regard fo


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man is not likely to flatter him in respo his looks on so short and slightacquaintance. "Monsieur,"

proceeded, "this is to be no escapano caprice. I ask your aid asdesperate woman. At court I can findone to succor me, save at the per

hat which is dearer to me than my Among the commoners, who wdare? An Englishman? It is too mrouble. A Frenchman? I would trust

not quite so far as the door. You arefirst American, not connected with egation, I have ever met. Will you hme?"

"If what you ask me to do is withincapabilities, I am yours to command.""The reward will be small," as if to

me. I laughed. I was so insanely hap


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suppose. "There will be danger," persisted; "secret danger: there wilscandal."

"The more danger, the merriercried.

"Ah, yes," smiling; "it is the manBalkistan."

I leaned over the table and inhaledneffable perfumes which emanated fher person. "Tell me, from what musuccor the Princess? Is she a prisone

a castle over which some ogre rulWell, then, I'll be Sir Galahad."My jesting tone jarred on her nerv

She straightened in her chair.

"Monsieur is amused," she said co"And he asks a thousand pardoncried contritely. "Command me," agrew chilled and serious.


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"You have heard that I am to wPrince Ernst of Wortumborg?"

"Yes." I gnawed the ends of

mustache."Monsieur, it is against my will,

whole being. I have no desire contribute a principality and a wife t

man who is not worthy of one or other. I refuse to become the Kipuppet, notwithstanding his powerake away my principality and leave

comparatively without resources. I dehis man so thoroughly that I cannot hhim. I abhor him. It is you who must sme from him; it is you who must a

save me my principality. Oh, they eme, these poor people, because I aPrincess, because I dwell in the tinglitter of the court. Could they but k


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how I envy their lives, their homes, thumble ambitions! Believe monsieur, as yet I love no man; but th

no reason why I should link my life to of a man to whom virtue in a wommeans nothing. He caused my mogreat sorrow. He came between her

my father. He spoiled her life, nowwishes to spoil mine. But I will not havso. I will give up my principality ratBut first let me try to see if I cannot re

he one and rid myself of the otListen. To-morrow night there will bdinner here. The King and the inner cwill hold forth. But they will cast as

heir pomp and become, for the tbeing, ordinary people. The Prince be in Brussels, and therefore unableattend. You are to come in his stead."


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"I?" in astonishment."Even so," she smiled. "While

festivities are at their height you and I

secretly leave and return to the city. shall go immediately to the stathence to France."

I looked at her as one in a dream

You!thence to France?"


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5Chapter

Hillars went to the sideboard emptied half a glass of brandy. Comback to his chair he remained inreverie for a short time. Then resumed his narrative.

The Princess looked up into my fand smiled.

"Yes; thence to France. Ah, I couldalone. But listen, monsieur. Above

hings there must be a scandalPrincess elopes with an Ameradventurer. The Prince will withdraw


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suit. The King may or may not forgme; but I will risk it. He is still somewfond of me, notwithstanding the wo

have caused him. This way is the method by which I may convince how detestable this engagement isme. Yet, my freedom is more to me t

my principality. Let the King bestoupon whom he will. I shall becomeacher of languages, or somethinghat sort. I shall be free and happy.

you will have a merry tale to tell, a madventure. You will return to your counYou will be the envy of your compatrYou will recount at your clubs a story s

as men read, but never hear told!" Swas growing a bit hysterical. As ooked at me she saw that my face wgrave.


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"Is there no other way?" I asked. "Ct not be accomplished without scand"

"No. There must be scanOtherwise I should be brought back forgiven, and no one would know. Icertain sense, I am valuable.

Hohenphalians love me; I am somethof an idol to them. The King appreciamy rule. It gives him a knowledge here will be no internal troubles

Hohenphalia so long as matters stas they now do. Still, there are limithe King's patience; and I am about tohem severely. But monsieur hesita

he will withdraw his promise.""No, your Highness," said I, "I hgiven my word. As for the scandal, not for myself that I care. It will be a


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adventure for me; and then, I shall hsuch a clever story to tell my friendhe clubs."

She saw that I was offended. "Forgme, monsieur; I know that you wouldno such thing. But let me explain to yAt the station we will be intercepted

wo trusted and high officials at court."What!" I exclaimed; "do they know"No; but I shall write to th

anonymously, the note to be place

heir hands immediately we leave premises."I looked at the woman in wonder."But this is madness!" I cried.

"Directly you will see the method inmadness. Without their knowing thcould be no scandal. They will try to sus. You will over-power and bind th


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There will also be several owitnesses who will not be participaThrough them it will become known th

have eloped with an American. Oh, it well-laid plan."

"But, supposing I am overpowemyself, thrown into jail and I know

what?" All this was more than I bargained for."Nothing of the kind will happ

Monsieur will hold a pistol in each h

when the carriage door is opened. will say: 'I am a desperate man; oneyou bind the other, or I fire!' It willdone. You will spring upon the remain

one and I will help you to bind ikewise. Oh, you will accomplish it wyou are a strong man; moreover, yourapid."


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I sat in my chair, speechless. Hwas a woman of details. I had never one before.

"Well, does monsieur accept adventure or does he politely declinThere was a subtle taunt in her tonThat decided me.

"Your Highness, I should be happmeet a thousand Uhlans to do service. What you ask me to do is qsimple." I knew that I should lose

head in case of failure. I rose and bowas unconcernedly as though she hadasked me to join her with a cup of tea

"Ah, monsieur, you are a man!" A

she laughed softly as she saw me thback my shoulders. There unmistakable admiration in her ey"And yet," with a sudden frown, "th


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will be danger. You may slip; you mbecome injured. Yes, there is danger.

"Your Highness," said I lo

compelling her eyes to meet mine, "not the danger of the adventure orresults that I most fear." I was honenough to make my meaning clear.

She blushed. "I said that I trusmonsieur's honor," was her rejoin"Come," with a return of mperiousness; "it is time that we w

gone!" She drew on her cloak dropped the veil. "I might add," she s"that we will remain in France one hFrom there you may go your way, a

shall go secretly to my palace."And the glamour fell away like the eaves of the year.

I had to wake up the driver, who


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fallen asleep."Where shall I say?" I asked."To your hotel. I shall give the driver

remaining instructions.""But you haven't told me," said I,

ook my place in the carriage, "how Io become a guest at the dinner

morrow evening.""I spoke to the King this morninsaid that I had a caprice. He replied f I would promise it to be my last

would grant it. I promised. I said thwas my desire to bring to the dinneperson who, though without rank, wagentlemanone who would grace

gathering, kingly or otherwise. My wwas sufficient. I knew before I asked hat you would come. Twenty-four hofrom now we, that is, you and I, will be


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he way to the French frontier. I shalever in your debt."

Silence fell upon us. I knew that I lo

her with a love that was burning me consuming me. And the adventure wall so unheard of for these prosimes! And so full of the charm

mystery was she that I had not beeman not to have fallen a victim. Wpossibilities suggested themselvesme as on we rode! Once across

frontier I should be free to confess ove for her. A Princess? What of thShe would be only a womanwoman I loved. I trembled. Someth

might happen so that she would havurn to me. If the King refused to forgher, she was mine! Ah, that pcarriage held a wonderful dream


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night. At lengthtoo shortly for mevehicle drew up in front of my hotel. was about to alight her hand stretc

oward me. But instead of kissing pressed my lips on her round white aAs though my lips burned, she

back.

"Have a care, monsieur; have a cashe said, icily. "Such a kiss has towon."

I stammered an apology and step

out. Then I heard a low laugh."Good night, Mr. Hillars; you arbrave gentleman!"

The door closed and the vehicle s

away into the darkness.I stood looking after it, bewildeHer last words were spoken in pEnglish.


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With the following evening came dinner; and I as a guest, a nervous, sconscious guest, who started at ev

footstep. I was presented to the Kwho eyed me curiously. Seeing thwore a medal such as his Chancegives to men who sometimes do

country service, he spoke to me nquired how I had obtained it. It wasaffair similar to the Balkistan; only thwas not an army, but a mob.

Princess was enchanting. I greckless, and let her read my eyes mhan once; but she pretended not to what was in them. At dinner a toast w

given to his Majesty. It was made hose steins I showed you, Jack.The Princess said softly to me, kiss

he rim of the stein she held: "My toas


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not to the King, but to the gentlemahad both steins bundled up and left he host, together with my address.

It was not long after that the evenmoment for our flight arrived. I knew thwas basely to abuse the hospitalityhe King. But what is a King to a ma

ove? Presently we two were alone ingarden, the Princess and myself. Swas whispering instructions, telling hat I was a man of courage.

"It is not too late to back out," said."I would face a thousand kings rath

replied.

We could see at the gate the carriwhich was to take us to the station. Ncame the moment when I was triedhe crucible and found to be dros


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committed the most foolish blundemy life. My love suddenly overleaptbounds. In a moment my arms w

around her lithe body; my lips met hsquarely. After it was done she stvery still, as if incapable understanding my offence. Bu

understood. I was overwhelmed remorse, love, and regret. I had mmpossible what might have been.

"Your Highness," I cried, "I could

help it! Before God I could not! Ibecause I love you better than anythn the worldyou cannot be of it!all this is impossible, this going aw

ogether."Her bosom heaved, and her eflashed like a heated summer sky.

"I will give you one minute to leave


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place," she said, her tones as even as cold as sudden repression of wcould make them. "I trusted you, and

have dared to take advantage of wseemed my helplessness. It is ndeed for you that you committed outrage before it is too late. I sho

have killed you then. I might have knoCould ever a woman trust a man?" Saughed contemptuously. "You wohave made me a thing of scorn; a

rusted you!""As God is my judge," I cried, respect for you is as high as heatself. I love you; is there nothing in tha

am but human. I am not a stone imaAnd you have tempted me beyondcontrol. Pardon what I have done; it wnot the want of respect."


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"Spare me your protestationsbelieve your minute is nearly gone," nterrupted.

And thenthere was a crunch ongravel behind us. The Princess anurned in dismay. We had forgottenabout the anonymous note. Two offic

were approaching us, and rapidly. elder of the two came straight to mknew him to be as inexorable as former master, the victor of Sedan.

Princess looked on mechanically."Come," said the Count, in broEnglish; "I believe your carriage is atgate."

I glanced at the Princess. She mhave been of stone, for all the life exhibited.

"Come; the comedy is a poor on


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said the Count.I followed him out of the garden.

ndifference to personal safety was

o a numbness which had taken holdme.

"Get in," he said, when we reache carriage. I did so, and he got in a

me. The driver appeared confusedwas not his fare, according to agreement. "To the city," he was brold. "Your hotel?" turning to me. I nam

t. "Do you understand German?""But indifferently," I answered listles"It appears that you understand nei

he language nor the people. Who

you?""That is my concern," I retorted. I wcoming about, and not unnatubecame vicious.

arms and the woman - harold macgrath

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