The Portland daily press., 1898-10-28
CHAPTER IX-Continued.


at the Villa Chevrier, but TOOK their. meal
at the Pension, and afterwards when
l.iane was reclining lazily on the couch
in their private salon, her hanosome neaa
thrown baos upon greae cushion " ye'-
low silk. snd the Captain was seated in
canacious easy chair, with cigarette and
an English paper, he at last braoed him
SELF nm for an effort that was to him ex-
ceedingly repugnant. He feared that MS
words must choke him, ana 1or nan an
tarinc to approach the subject. The recol-
Isction of ali that he had at stake, how
ever. goaded him on, ana presently
slowly putting down his paper. and
striving to remain firm, ne uttered her
name.
She looked up from her French novel in
snrnrise The tone in which he spoke
was entirely unusual. 1t was harsh ana
ssLiane,'' he said, bending and looking
straight into her large, clear eyes nnso
wanted to speak seriously TO you during
these past few weeks, but have always
hesitated +"
"Why father?"
"Because-well, knew you were hap.
py, and did not wish to cause you pain.
he answered.
"Pain2 What do you mean?" she in
quiTYeo a haVe been very happy here in Nice
haven't you? I mean that Zertho has
made life very pleasant for us both, he
stammered.
"CertainIy. Thanks to him we've been
extremely gay the whole time. So differ
ent to our last experience of the Riviera, :"
and aha laughed lightly at the recollection
of those well-remembered evil days.
"You appear to find ZerthO a very con-
genial companion. ~ he observed.
She started. Surely her father could not
know what had taken place between them
during that walk by the moonlit sea on
the previous night.
"eIf course. - she answered hesitatingly.
"He was always good friend to poor
NeIIy and myself, and he is very anus.
aBut I have noticed of late that your
face betrays your happiness when you
walk with him. A woman always shows
in her cheeks a distinct consciousness OF
her success.
Her face flushed slightly as she an
ii was not aware that appeared any
happier when in his society than on any
at is upon that very point that desire
to speak to you," he went on in low
Seriops tone. "You will remember that
before we left Stratfeld Mortimer, CAV Q
YOU a few words of kindly advice regard
ing an impossible lover r. w, WEI "no" you
Yes" she said, ST we'll remember.
"Then it is upon the subject Of your
marriage that want again to say few
words to you. =
"Marriage" she laugneo. Tny.
shall not marry for years yet. dear old
dad. Besides, if I left YOU whatever
would you dop'
"Ah. yes, my GIRL" he answered
hoarseiy, as shadow of pain fitted for
N instant across his darkened brow;
You must not lose the chance OF youth.
She closed her book, placed 1t aside
slowly. and regarded him with surprise.
Haven't you always urged me TO
waltz she asked Independently, toy
ing with the two little gypsy rings upon
her slim finger. 81 understood that you
we're entirely against my marriage
$50 was when you did not possess the
chance of making q wealthy and satlsfac-
tort alliance he replied
His daughter looked at him inquiringly,
but hazarded no remark; She saw ~ the
expression of his face no " terribly in
earnest he was. =,
"You, of curse, know to whom refer, -
he added, speaking in low earnest tone,
as he bent towards her, gazing still ser1-
ously into the sweet open countenance.
ssTo ZerthO,'' she observed mechanical
Eyes If you reflect, as have already
reflected times without number during
these past few weeks, Lame, you must
recognise that your position as the daugh-
ter of an almost penniless adventurer, Is
by no means an enviable one. II any
thing happened to me you would be left
without q friend, and without q penny.
Such thoughts are, l admit, not exactly
pleasant ones, nevertheless the truth must
be faced at this the most important Crisis
of your life. Again, have nothing to
give you, and can hope for nothing: In
the days bygone l managed to pick up
sufficient to provide us with the comforts
and Injuries of life, but now, alas luck
and friends have alike desert ed me, ana
InpA WHY cd
'sBut you are not friendless, dear old
dad" Lame cried suddenly, the light OF
affection glowing in her beautiful eyes as,
with sudden movement, she sprang
across to him, and kneeling beside his
chair as she often did, put both her soft
olinging arms about his neck. 81 am
your friend as have always been. do
not want to marry and leave you," and
she burst into tears.
His voice became choked by sob be
vainly strove to keep back He felt this
resolution giving way and bit his lip.
s'If-you would remain my friend.
Liape. you will marry he managed to
calculate at last, although the words
seemed to stifie him, and he hated himself
for having uttered them.
mo-. dad-I will never allow you to live
alone"
"But you must, dearest p" he answered
with emphasis, fondly pushing back her
dark hair from her brow "Think what
a chance you now nave OF securing posi-
ton, wealth and every thing which oontr1-
butes to life's happiness. Zertho loves
YOU"
81 know" she answered. with a touch
of ineffable sadness in her voice and rails
ing her tear-suained face to his. "But
am happy as am, with you"
'Irue. Yet in few months the money
We have will become exhausted, and
whence we shall obtain more know
not he said, with look of despair.
"You have a chance to become princess
the wife of man even weather. than
his Observation-Disclosures you should sert-
usly RI fleet, Liane, ere you refuse.
"I1ow did yon know that Zertho loves
ne2' she suddenly inquir d, turning her
rank face upward to his.
Because ne has told me-" he an
=gsered, in voice low almost as a whis-
pei. "He asked my permission 10 speak
10 you and offer you marriage"
AS he looked at her the thought flashed
I'D hat I,n hos o%b ,n1