Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1899-06-01

| Ana yet, interrupted her lover,
concluding her sentence for her. you
allow the folly to run away with the
common sense. But l must be going.
dear: have an engagement at three.
But you return to dine with us,
Carlo; and tonight you go with us to
the opera? Patti sings, and the en-
peror is to be present"
IL will be prompt, chere-adieu,
and rising and bending his tall height
to kiss her brow, the young man took
| his leave
The curtain had already risen when
they entered their box at the opera
that evening, and PATHS marvellous
voice was ringing through the house.
Every seat was filled, every box occu.
pied, with the exception Of the emper
or's-who. with his suite. had not yet
arrived-and the one directly opposite
where they sat.
Before the curtain rose again the
i royal party entered and took their
! places. amid the excitement incidental
to the event. Again Beatrice's atten'
ton was attracted toward the stage.
She dearly loved music; and once, as
| PATHS voice caught up note and
! held it until she seemed to throw it to
| the angels. she turned to Carlo with Il
quick. long sigh. as if to be sure that
| he, 700, had heard With soul as we'll as
svshsc of hearing. But her sigh ended
| in sharp note of alarm. His face
| had grown suddenly white, and his
| eyes. dark with feeling, We're fastened
not upon the stage-but upon the
box opposite. She followed their glance
| With hers. and saw Il picture which
seemed to burn itself into her brain.
| The box. so long empty was occu-
| pied by two people-a woman and a
man. Around her ON every side were
women of birth. and rank. and breed
| iEg-womcn whose natural charms
We're enhanced by every accessory OF
| wealth.; yet she who had just entered
was a queen among them all.
| Beatrice drew her breatl-daZZled,
| bewildered. Almost every lorgnette
in the house was directed toward the
! box. and She who sat there appeared
unconscious CT it all She bent her
head with regal grace to catch some
whisper of the prince. who wore tbs
emperor's decorations upon his breast.
She smiled her answer and the smile
was as a flash of lightning in Il blue
and starlt sky. The exquisite neck
and arms We're bare. and on them gilt
tered priceless gems.
1T is She Carlo-it is shP? excited
| ly questioned the girl. when the first
almost shock had passed.
| "She! or whom are you speaking.
BeHtrice:' he answered, collly. trying
| to assume the old look of Indifference
and ease.
| 1T is Madame Florence, is it not:'
she said.
| And her voice now was quiet and
! cold as his.
Yes he replied, ut is Madame
| Florence"
| At that moment the curtain fell.
| The beauty turned for some low
murmur of the prince. who wished.
her feet. and letting her gaze wander
! idly about the house. rested 1t on Carlo
Dameroff's white face while. with a
slight. almost imperceptible motion Of
her fan, she beckoned him to come to
her.
! He sat still for an instant. while his
paleness perceptibly deepened.
| She simply smiled, and turned, with
| new empreSSment Of manner toward
tho prince.
| IL Lllt dNlloll Ntlt u AuSc, ~ ''.NNCSN@
ed marvelously we'll.
"Will you pardon me. Beatrice" eX-
planned the lieutenant, eff | leave you
anne Florence? After partaking. last
night. Of her hospitality. it is her due"
Certainly" replied Miss Leonard.
But something in her accent caused
him to turn quickly toward her. Al
| mandy with OILS n hpp Shn
was observing some other portion of
the house. so that the question he had
meant to put died unspoken on his
lips.
But when he ertercd Madame Flor
ence's box. he found her surrounded
by little crowd.
She gave him light. careless nod,
! which made a quick flash Of anger
CLEAN in his eyes.
He turned to leave, but she. detect
ing the motion. signed him to draw
nearer. and the group of men, some
what loath. gave place to him.
She held toward him one small.
gloved hand. 1t rested upon his but
IN instant: but the slight. almost i'm
DerCeptible pressure thrilled his every
nerve. The anger died.
why did you deny yourself to me
today" he murmured.
Why" she answered. 'You OK
pected to sec me. them
Had you not promised me?'
"Who is that girl opposite:' she
asked. abruptly; ard. as she spoke,
her eyes and Beatrice's met. ''All
American. is she not! And surely
have heard--or am 1 draaming?-youl
betrothed''
My betrothed? Yes. madame. But
with YOU | grow forgetful alike of her
and of my honor. Madame, Danish
me: it is my only salvation. III youl
presence but one woman can exist for
me on earth!'
Foolish boy" But her words were
Il caress rather than a reproach. And
your honor is at stake? a mans hon
or. Truly. a great and invincible
shield. which hlunts all arrows aimed
against it. And so. l must sign your
decree Of Punishment? SO be it. then
Danish you-until tomorrow. At foul
l shall expect you-Carlo.,"
1t was the first time she thus haC
brea1hcd his name. 1t thrilled him, as