The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1899-01-26
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 man who watched
her anxiously to tell whether she was
offended or not. By his semiromantic
garb, long curling locks and a certain
delicate refinement of feature he seemed
to be an artist. His manner was at once,
earnest and deferential. Even while he
watched be 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
~ interpreting her manner in that way.
i am fully aware of the liberty am
takipg-a liberty too great to be par
toned by you unless the sentiments
which have perhaps too rashly avowed
should find some kindred response IN
your own heart"-
"Enough, sirp' 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 paralzyed.
should fear a 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 spoke the artist sank
gracefully on one knee, there was a
something that sayored 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 greater
degree of haughtiness than ever, but the
eyes of the lover were upon hers and in
their violet depths he read mute en-
couragement
Pardon he continued, without
waiting for her reply. eff you could
look into my heart, you would hear
there that l am your slave-that I
would die for you and yet that hope
to live for you. The gentlest zephyr
that blows is not tenderer in it's caress
of your cheeks than my love is solicit
GUS of your happiness. Bid me Of your
own free will to go, and | am gone,
though my heart should break in it's
Punishment.
"GoP exclaimed the princess, point
ing dramatically toward the door. 81
have heard too much, far too much,
Col"
For an instant q 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 expos:ulation, for she
looked by turns disappointed, panied.
concerned and finally desperate.
"Stayl" she commanded in a low
tone and took three anxious steps for
ward
The artist clasped his hands thank
fully and darted back. Blu! as he ap-
preached the princess froze again.
"Come no nearer" she said haughti
ly; then, as he still kept on, Don t,
dou't!" she cried anxiously. "Obey me,
Clarence! Don't you see that | dare not
trust myself too near you?'
But he was adroit as we'll as persist
ent, and when he finally obeyed and
again sank to one knee he had seized
her hand and conveyed it to his burn.
ing lips. She strove to release herself,
frowned again, then falte1ed.
| ,"Have you ever thought what il
would mean to me if l were to give
way to your importunities?' she de-
lnanded "Outside of your love, Whai
have yoq to offer me in exchange il
were so foolish as to accept it? ! am 2
kings daughter, with all which thai
| implies. You, sir, are a.
"Qnly poor gentleman, blessed by
loving you, if not by your love. p"
The deft grace of this reply disarmet
/ her at once. She looked at him almos
tenderly, then laughed softly.
Clarence, said she, you really
must go away. No matter how you anc
may feel, we must obey our fate
which inevitably drives us apart. My
doom is to marry some other royal pup
pet whom, perhaps, have never seen
not for love. but for reasons of state
You are to be envied, Clarence, for yoJ
can choose your mate unfettered by Gus
toms that wither even while they en-
noble their victims
HAlas! !" he cried, almost piteously
Have you not just denied me tina
- r. -,
cry by pretending to me that ] shoult
exult in, it. .
Again the princess blushed and seem