, 1899-01-06
A LOVE SCENE.

The princess walked down the length
of the apartment. The long train of her
velvet gown swept the carpet with a
soft rustling sound.
AS she kept her face averted it was
impossible for the mar who watched
her a%nxiously to tell whether she was
offended or not. By his semirorlantic
garb, long curling locks and u certain
delicate refinement of feature he seemed
to be an artist. His manner was at once
earnest and d%eferential. Even while he
watched he bent his shapely figure in
an attitude indicative of deep respect.
At the farther end of the room the
princess halted, but remained standing
with her back still turned toward the
man. Was she expecting him to speak?
"Your highness, - he began, evident
ly interpreting her name in that way,
II am fully aware of the liberty / am
taking-a liberty too great to be par
doneG by you unless the sentiments
which l have perhaps too rashly avowed
should find some kindred response in
your W heart
Enough, sir! I" interrupted the prin-
cess, turning suddenly. Suppose my
royal father had happened to be behind
the arras and had heard what my own
ears have been compelled to listen to?
What do you think he would do or say?"
"He would be simply pa~ralzyed. l
should fear q fit of apoplexy; but, your
highness, deign to tell me truly-do
you really mean that you were COM
PEELED to listen to my pleading against
your will?"
Though as he smoke the artist sank
gracefully on one knee, there was a
something that savored Of self confidence
in his mien. Apparently the princess
felt that she ought to be offended. A
frown settled upon her brow, and her
handsome features expressed a greater
degree of haughtiness than ever, but the
eyes Of the lover were upon hers and in
their violet depths he read a mute en-.
couragement.
Pardon" he continued, without
waiting for her reply. "If you could
look into my heart, you would hear
there that I am your slave-that l
would die for you and yet that l hope
to livs for you. The gentlest zephyr
that blows is not tenderer in it's cares
Of your cheeks than my love lie solicit
Gus Of your happiness. Bid me Of your
own free will TO go, and l am gone,
though my heart should break in it's
Punishment"
Sol" exclaimed the princess. point
ing dramatically toward the door. II
have heard too much, far too much.
Cor
For an instant n deathly pallor over
spread the mans face. As he rose from
his knee he slightly tottered, gave the
lady an intensely appealing look, then
began to back himself toward the door
after the conventional manner Of leav-
ing the presence of royalty. The princess
must have expected something further
In the way of expostulation, for she
looked by turns disappointed, panied.
concerned and finally desperate.
"Stay p she commanded in a low
tone and took three anxious steps for
ward.
The artist clasped his hands thank.
fully and darted back. But as he APP
preached the princess froze again.
"Come no nearer, +" she said haughti-
ly; then, as he still kept Oh, Don't,
don'tl" she cried ~anxiously. "Obey me,
Clarencsl Don't you see that / dare not
trust myself too near you"
But he was adroit as we'll as persist
emit, and when he finally obeyed and
again sank to ons knee he had seized
her hand and conveyed it to his burn
ing lips. She strove to release herself,
frowned again, then faIteied.
"Have you ever thought what it
would mean to me il l were to give
way to your importunities?' she de-
manded. "Outside of your love, what
have you to offer me in exchange if /
were so foolish as to accept it? l am q
kings daughter, with all which that
implies. You, sir, are az
"Only a poor gentleman, blessed by
loving you, if not by your love"
The deft grace of this reply disarmed
her at once. She looked at him almost
tenderly, then laughed softly.
"Clarence." said she, ''you really
must go AWAY. No matter how you and
] may feel, we must obey our fate,
which inevitably drives us apart. My
doom IL to marry some other royal pup
pet whom, perhaps, l have never seen,
not for love. but for reasons Of state.
You are to be envied, Clarence, for you
pan choose your mate unfettered by GUS
toms that wither even while they en-
noble their victims"
"AlasI" he cried, almost %piteously.
"Have you not just denied me that
blsssed privilcge9 Do not mock my mis-
ny by pretending to me that should
sxult In It,"
Again the princess blnsbed and seem.