Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1892-11-17
CHAPTER VII.


The truth was that Kathleen's mothG
had brought her to Saltravia with a
most ambitious motive. After leaving
Stuttgardt they had been living for sew
era1 months in Dresden, and there she
had heard things concerning Clarimond
which made it seem at least conceivable
that a splendid event might crown past
disappointments and chagrins. Poor
kathleen, whose health had somewhat
failed of late, did not dream Of the au-
dacity which underlay her mothers pro-
posal that they should visit the Sal
travian springs. They had hardly been
there three days at the hotel when Clar-
imond, strolling one evening, just at
sunset, passed the casino, saw Kath-
1een. and was struck by her peculiar
loneliness. The princess detested his
democratic way OF exhibiting himself,
as she called it, and more than once i'm
plored him not to appear thus publicly.
But the king had no idea of hedging
himself with his own divinity. He had
long ago formed the habit of going and
coming like a private gentleman, and,
though the stares of the crowd did not
precisely please him, they were less Of
bore than would have been compulsory
| self-imnurement. Mrs. Kennaird was
quickly plunged into an ecstasy by his
| evident admiration Of Kathleen.
81 do wish one could know him, she
said to her daughter. ibid you notice
how he looked at you, my dear?"
No. said Kathleen cit seemed to
me that he looked at every body equally,
and in the most amiable manner
| ''They say continued Mrs. Kennaird,
..that he is wonderfully a1niable for a
king. And he certainly is very hand
some; don't you think so?''
Il think him very distinguished -
kathleen's eyes glistened as she added:
| There's a picturesqueness about him
| that corresponds perfectly with this
/ lovely land he rules. He interests me
| very greatly. 1 don't mean SO much be-
cause of his royalty as of the artistic
atmosphere in which he seems to dwell;
though one must allow each its at
| tractive force
His being royal is hardly an objeo-
| ton, should say remarked Mrs. Ken
naird. Zone can endure it. At least I
can-that is in a son-in-law." And she
laughed sort OF tinlzling little laugh.
! mamma! Good heavensi What are
| you saying?'' As she spoke, Kathleen
| flushed to her temples and then grew
| colorless-
They had left the casino and had
reached a somewhat lonely spot, where
| at 2 distance you could see the pale mar
! vels OF the palace towering with its in
| Vulnerable spires, turrets and crenela-
| tons above the bounteous verdure of
| the dark-green champaign Between
/ masses Of spicy-scented hemlocks
! flashed and FLASHED a cascade. and 50
| strong was the afternoon breeze that IL
Blew little spray-laden gusts from the
foany and tUmbling turbulence OF
water. Mother and child were not
| wholly alone, as 1t Glanced. and Mrs
| Kennaird, with look to right and left
! as though an ambushed listener were
! possible, if not just a likelihood, sud-
denly said:
I'm not dealing in such fairy dreams
my dear, after ALL And then she let
| her hand rest on the girls arm, steadily
and meaningly pressing it
Mamma! mammal Even If I cared
to marry anyone, L"
'.You shall not sacrifice your life to
| that ruffian, Kathleen For this is what
he had been to Us both / shall never
/ be happy until see you married happily
and brilliantly, too OF course King
Clarimond would be a glorious triumph
1or you I've dared to dream Of such an
event Yes, Kathleen, i actually have.
! And there are strong reasons, my dear,
| why I should so have dreamed You
remember that Mrs Winslow in Dres-
den-that bright little Boston woman
| with the 1emon-colored eyebrows-who
gave rs our letter to the Jerninghams
here7 Well, it was she who first reused
in me my daring idea She looked n