Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1899-06-08

it. his eyes would be gladdened by the
sight of Florence Vane.
Eut how had She learned of her sis.
terS death 1t had appeared i'll no En-
gltsh paper. He only knew of it
through the heartbrokcn letter of the
bcreaved husband
The room had lost all further inter
est. He threw himself in a great arm
| chair, half in the shadow, and sat wait.
ing. He felt no impatience. He had
found her. Sooner or later she must
come.
Somewhere near a clock unsteady
chimed the passage of time. He heard,
but took no heed of it's record.
And then along the hall he heard the
rustic of q woman's dress, and once
more the notes Of voice, which Of
late had spoken only in his dreams.
now sounded in his waking cara
voice low and sweet as of old, though
its words were not addressed to him.
Florence Vane was not alone. Some
one had entered with her. Evidently
she had not been appraised Of his pres
cEce. The lackey had forgotten. or
sleepily failed in his duty, for, just in
side the door, the two paused.
NO further. prince" he heard her
say. ut is late. and am very weary"
But I must speak with you,' an
Swered the mans voice. Il must have
from your own lips the assurance that
this boys insolencc is unwarranted,
that | may give it the fitting punish
ment that it deserves. He entered your
your box tonight as though l, not he.
We're the intruder l, a prince, and he,
Il STRIPPING! Almost l forgot my prom
Use to be calm for your dear sake"
~ light laugh followed this special
mirthless laugh-which Jared on Har-
ry Arkwright's listening ear, and then
she said
He is but a child mon prince. and
all children cry for the moon. Have
patience with him. and do not blame
him that he loves me-"
But you, ma chere-you give him no
encouragement? Promise me that?
Will you not accept the coronet offer
YOU. and thus give me the open right,
tittingly to rebuke such audacity?"
Patience. mon prince again was
her reply. You must give me time to
accustom myself to thoughts of honor
greater than l merit.
NO honor can equal your merit. But
you are not, then, inditferentY"
Mon amir
Only these two words were her re-
ply; but. spoken as she spoke them,
tthy held a volume of elOGuence,
Arkwright's blood chilled in his veins,
though he could not see that the prince,
in his gratitude. had snatched her
@loved hands to his lips and left there
their ardent impress.
And this boy?' he said
leave me to deal with him. she an
swered. Goodnight"
'Good-night."'
An instant later, alone amid unat-
tended, she entered the room.
She cast no single glance toward the
corner where Arkwright had risen
from his chair and stood awaiting her;
but, crossing the floor, stopped before
the picture of the cross, and q long,
low sigh trembled on the air.
The room seemed filled with the at
mosphere Of her beauty. His eyes
dwelt on her exquisite grace as she
stood there.
The wrap had fallen from her bare
shoulders, and their whteness cleaned
the whittier against the blue velvet of
Ter gown.
For a few moments no sound broke
the stiffness, save that he fancied that
he heard the beating of her heart and
is own.
Florence" he said, at last.
1t was but a whisper but she turned
as if a thunderbolt had fallen to rouse
her from her calnl-turncd and saw
aim standing with the lovelight on his
eyes and in his face.
One little, glad cry escaped her. al
though she grew very pale.
Captain Arkwright. How did you
find me out?"
only Captain Arkwright, Florence"
he replied. Have l no other vel
Gomez"
She had recovered her composure
now, and, with the old, easy grace and
courtesy. she held out to him one small
gloved hand.
Am I not very glad to meet my
friend? Must 1 tell you how glad in
spoken words? Aye, glad. even though
ha comes to NE out Of the shadow of a
past whose grave have left unmarked
by any stone. But a sudden fear
marking her manner as she spoke. re
member in that grave lie two women
Florence Nanc and Florence she
paused. then enunciated the name With
clenched teeth and in a tone which told
a history-''Geryase. DO rot attempt
to reSurrrct either. Here in ST. Peters
burg | am Madame Florence"
Il nlpss you change the title to the
Princess Tanorac!:!"
"Ah. you heard the prince. I forgot
that necessarily you must have been
forced into the role of eavestlroppar."
Then. letting her tone grow earnest,
she went on:
NO. Harry. His dream was vain;
but let him dream on. 1t pleases me
to gain the triumph; it pleases me to
see him suffer as L yet shall make him
suffer For me is neither love or mar
riage. owe the world debt and
must pay it. That is all"
Hush. dear" he said. very gently;
but he saw that not then might he
pleaC to change her purpose. 81 am
going to leave you now: it is late, and
heard you say that you were weary.
But tomorrow 1 may come, Florence?
Yes. tomorrow" she replied 'Dine
with me. if you will. We shall not be
l