Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1893-01-05

tain more ambitious views for her
child. that lady will doubtless oppose
their marriage in the future with a new
zeal born of chagrin. She appears
already to have brewed for both of them
prodigious amount of misery. From
all that I can learn, her interference
has risen between them like column
of thick fume, through which they have
viewed Historically one another's acts.
Her influence has been that of malig-
nancy, and shall regret if she remains
in Saltravia, provided her daughter las
the wife of Lispenard) shall so choose.
But what am I saying, my dear Eric?
Lispenard may choose to resign his
office-who can tell?''
81 am certain that he will not resign
it, monsieurI'' cried Eric. ''I am GER
tain, too, that he feels, this hour, as
feel am certain he realized, as do,
that you are the soul and center of all
that is self-abnegating grandly gen.
erousi''
t'Thanks, Eric; those words are surely
rich in encouragement. You know do
not care for eulogy, but when one
strives toward an ideal of conduct, as I
strive now, the cheer of loved friend
is like a warm handclasp in darkness -
just then a little silvery sound
reached their ears. Clarimond sprang
to his feet. Eric saw his lips twitch
and his hand for a brief instant clench
| themselves at his sides.
ssThe signal he said. ''She has con-
scented. Go for DIR. Wouvermann. You
will be witness, you know, Eric, and
L" he smiled, but to his observer the
| smile teemed with terrible melan-
| choly-'sI shall give the bride away"
| In the ballroom they had begun to
miss the king. When at last he APP
| peared it was in company with Kath-
| leen, Eric and Alonzo. The floor was
| full of dancers; conversation, stimulated
by rare and copius wines, reigned in
merry babbles that almost threatened
to drown the music.
| Clarimond went to his mother, who
sat talking with several gentlemen.
Blanca d'Este, also seated, was at her
side. The gentlemen slightly withdrew
as he approached, making lane for
him while he mounted to the low
estrada where these ladies were placed.
| "You are not looking WELL" muir
INJURED the princess to him. ''Others
have spoken of it. / do so hope, how.
| ever, that your looks mean nothing
serious. Blanca, here, has been quite
anxious. Is it not true. my darling?'
And the princess, taking the italian
girls hand, drew her forward a little
the marvellous corsage of precious
stones giving forth jets of multicoloret
light as she moved.
Eyes, yes" fell from Blanca. 'sWt
| were both greatly worried
Ciarimond sent q kindly glanct
| straight into her blue, solicitous eyes
AS he did SO it flashed through hi.
mind:
81 will never love any other woman
as long as I live. But this nader
might make me the worthiest O
queens, the truest of wives. One day
may ask her hand. provided my mothe
preserves her present change FROM AFRO
gance to kindliness. But not now
Now it would be horror!''
| Mrs. Kennaird, during supper, had re
ceived, with furtive tinkles of delight
the attentions of an.Austrian archduk
: and q Russian ambassador. She ha,
not noticed Kathleen's absence. Tn
archduke, who was past sixty but still
, handsome and of the suavest manners
had whispered In her ear that Kin,
} Clarimond, who did whatever he chose