Arms and the Woman

ars's story as he

oman. I was looking well myself that night. All women like to see broad shoulders in a man. It suggests strength-something they have not. Several times this young woman's eyes met mine. Somehow, mine were always first to fall. There was a magnetism in hers mine could not withstand. Later, an attaché came to me and said that he wished to present me to her Serene Highness the Prin

rman?" she asked

r Highness,"

hen, you sp

mother ton

ted in Americ

say this with perfect innocence, but the

e that you woul

ith the fan she held. "Shall I te

odd

merican bows down before a title

en misinformed. We never bow down to a

e her ey

is altogether new to me,"

e not offended you

have any one talk to me with such frankn

there is admiration. If you

over the fan. She had

brave like yourse

at do you

d then, your exploits in the Balkistan, in the second place. Are you not the M. Hillar

I. "The only thing I did was to

uld have thought nothing of it; but an utter stranger, who had nothing in c

did the thing." I placed my hand over my heart. "But, af

erstand," sai

ls at bay. See how they are gnawing their mustaches and biting their lips and asking one another

mischief i

nd waltz once with me, for if anything happene

ged in an incredibly short time. I tried to smoke, and for the first time in my life, tobacco was tasteless, I was falling in love with a Princess. I confess that it did not horrify me; on the contrary,

various decorations on his breast. As the Princess saw me, she bent her head. She remembered me. That was all that was necessary for my transportation. Later,

ider himself lucky if he got her, King's will or no King's will. She had little liking for her intended. She treated him contemptuously and held his desires in utter disregard. One fine morning I was told that the Prince was beginning to notice my attentions, that he was one of the most noted pistol sh

nod of recognition. Perhaps she did not wish to attract the attention of the royal personages who sat with her; for the nod struck me as clandestine. Between the first and secon

you two blocks south; i

ctly ten minutes afte

. I could not dream what the anonymous note had behind it. I suspicioned an intrigue, but what use had she for me, an American, a very nobody? Something unusual was about to take place and I was to be a witness or a participant

ong the pavement a light flashed into the window. The Princess sat before me. There was a r

" she began. "The America

the aim of all

honor and my fame in your hands; it is for you to prove that you are a knight. I trust you. W

ce, your Highness," said I. "Wha

de is done," she said. "Do not speak

accomplished i

hat we alight," she said

cloak was of dark material

e palaces; a yellowish haze hung over all. Once within the building I noted with surprise the luxurious appointments. Plainly it

oak and lifted her veil. "Monsieur has probably heard that the Princess Hi

d. "I am an obscure American; your Hi

e she roamed around Heidelberg and slashed a fencing master; she had donned a student's garb. She is said to be the finest swordswoman on the Continent. Yet, notwithstanding her caprices, she is a noble-minde

ders, which shone like yellow ivory in the subdued light. This rank flattery cooled me. A woman who has any regard for a man is not likely to flatter him in respect to his looks on so short and slight an acquaintance. "Monsieur," she proceeded, "this is to be no escapade, no caprice. I ask your aid as a desperate woman. At cour

is within my capabilitie

I was so insanely happy, I suppose. "There will be dange

ger, the merr

ng; "it is the m

le and inhaled the in

son. "Tell me, from w

soner in a castle over

I'll be Si

on her nerves. She st

amused," sh

I cried contritely. "Command me,

I am to wed Prince

ed the ends o

. Oh, they envy me, these poor people, because I am a Princess, because I dwell in the tinsel glitter of the court. Could they but know how I envy their lives, their homes, their humble ambitions! Believe me, monsieur, as yet I love no man; but that is no reason why I should link my life to that of a man to whom virtue in a woman means nothing. He caused my mother great sorrow. He came between her and my father. He spoiled her life, now he wis

astoni

height you and I will secretly leave and return to the city

ne in a dream. "I!-Y