Waterbury evening Democrat., 1892-07-06


than l do the splendid, the unparal-
leled honor which overhangs YOU"
Kathleen looked 6xedly at the speaker,
with her eyes moistening little and
her under lip trembling. 'I-I wish you
would not speak like this, she faltered.
at distresses me So"
Her mother continued, however, stat
ing that she had not the vaguest doubt
Clarimond would soon startle his court
more keenly than he had dreamed of
startling it before: that Kathleen had
only to wait little while longer and
the stars would drop ripe and shining
In her lap; that all past annoyance,
modification, defeat was to end glori-
ously in unique triumph.
Kathleen listened, and then slipped,
as soon as she could, into the privacy of
her own chamber. The king had said
that he would revisit her to-day. There
was only an hour yet before the time of
his coming. She did not want to see
him again, and yet she did want to see
him again. What was it? Did it mean
that he might bring her certain tidings
of Alonzo? Did it mean this? Did it
really mean this2 Or was she infected
with the fervor of her mothers over
sense of that personality, that compan-
ionship, so tremendous, SO drastic in its
influence, it's domination, terrified her.
She looked into her own brain, as it
were, and found there nothing but a
depressing tumult. How would she act
II action should indeed be required of
her? No, no; the need of such action
would not, could not, come. He, a
kingl 1t was faulty to dream Of what
her mother had SO boldly prophesied.
Her hands were at intervals very trem-
ulous while she dealt with her toilet;
and once or twice she felt as if she must
desist from it and seek the one sort of
least to her taste.
But when the king came she received
him with much composure. Her mother
was to-day in visible throes. To kathleen
her disarray was pathetic. The per-
turbed lady gave one or two spasmodic
curtsies which were mournful travesty
of her usual serene equipoise. She was
so drunk with the heady wine fur
nished by the fact of this fourth royal
visit that exhilaration made her almost
stagger. Clarimond, calm and gentle
manlike as usual, appeared to notice
nothing. Perhaps" thought Kathleen,
''he is used to such grovelling servility.
Poor mamma, will she ever get out of
the room with decent grace, she who
has prided herself for years on doing
nothing awkwardly?"
But at last the door closed on Mrs.
Kennaird's ducking and cringing figure.
AS this happened Kathleen breathed an
audible sigh of relief. The sigh ended
in a feverish laugh, and she said, with
sudden candor, to her guest:
Its dreadful how you've demoralizeG
my mother. You must see, so I men
ton it."
"Demoralized her? ~"
"OhI then you don't see, monsieur
mamma isn't accustomed to kings; that
| is all"
"And are you?" he said with his sweet,
| kind smile. They were now seated op-
posite one another, and near a large
window that gave one q fine view of the
mountains and still finer view of his
white, many -turreted palace
NO" she answered. but mamma
OH you must have noticed. You're G
royalty. as they call it. and you've
turned her head It's odd, too, for she
has met all sorts of great people-prime
ministers, dukes, even the English
prince himself. seem so vul-
gar when talk like thisl do hope
you'll excuse me. No doubt, you are
used to embarrassing people, especially
| Americans"
He shook his head, smiling. II have
always thought it rather hard to en-
barrass Americans" he replied. Zone
| l. \ &c
smile deepened, as he watched her with
glance full Of drollery both frank and
sly.
IF you mean me, monsieur" she re
turned, with n slight shrug, II an
somehow proof against oil surprises
It's very scandalous, no doubt, to &C
knowledge as much at my age"
"Scandalous?" he said, with swiftly
changing manner. What name t.
call honesty by!'
"Ohl l am not so honest, l assure you.
There, you confessed that you are
Anyone else would have spoken so diff
ferently."
ANY other woman, you mean?"
"Well, yes" he assented.
And other women, when they tall
: with you, monsieur, are anxious to con
vince you of their honesty"
"Well, yes"
Kathleen seemed to muse little
slowly shaking her head That is be
cause you are you."
He made an impatient gesture. II
is so conducive to feminine deception
then, this being l, as you put it?" and
without waiting for her to respond, h
went on: What made me in the frs
place like you so much, mademoiselle
was your charitable torgetfulness G
who really am"
81 didn't forget it in the least, how
ever. cultivated myself into seemin
1 as if did"
"Ah!you're bent on disappointing me.
mo, monsieur, only on telling you tn
> truth"
4 1.-THE truth from people never disaI
points me-"
"Are you so sure?" she murmured,
little vaguely, not meeting his look.
He gave a slight start. mot quit
1 T.