The Elbert County tribune., 1900-04-19

Mrs. Franklin snOuiu not De suhaiHO
for the next quarter of an hour. as II
was with Lille herself he desired
private interview.
Lille passed into the drawing room
alarmed at what she instinctively knew
was to be the subject OF that inter
view; but fearful to give ofIense by re-
fusing 1t.
And when the prince joined her 1t
was apparent he meant to waste no
time In going straight to her mission
He had left his sword and belt In
the vestibule and removed his gloves,
and now he took his hostess hand and
led her to seat, with a deferentiai
ceremony.
"Ah, there is the evening gun!" she
exclaimed, for the desperate sake OF
saying something to break the strain.
'In ten minutes more it will be dark.
"Ah, yes: we have no enthralling
twilight as you have in England. Miss
Derwent," he answered softly. and with
a tone OF regret meant to be coyertly
flatterlng to her nationality. We'll,
no matter, ten minutes will suffice me
to say what-ah. what l would have
said to you long before today, but that
feared to be precipitate."
Then | am sure. prince, it is best
left unsaid STILL" she answered. with
great earnestness.
Surely you do not forbid me to
speak?" He regarded her haughtily.
81 should not presume to do that"
she hastily rejoined. Il merely en-
treat"
"What?" he asked, with cold dis
pleasure. for she had stopped short,
flushing.
81 feel sure your highness means to
be kind and friendly and fiattering; but
but" Again she hesitated.
Prince Clement Sing looked down,
frowning, and dark flush swept his
copper-tinted face.
But you do not esteem 1t an honor.
presume, that I should love your"
There was asperity in his voice.
TOO great an honor" she averred.
His frown and flush passed. He bent
towards her and took her hand.
"The honor is divided" he said gal
lantly. "If | give you the crown of a
princess. you give me the fairest 1ow-
er of English maidenhood-a flower
that all the jewels in India could not
buy"
She tried to withdraw her hand.
Your highness fatters me too much;
but what you ask is impossible she
said. very low.
He rose with an air of impatience.
impossible, you say. and to me?"
She rose also.
Il venture to hope to retain your
friendship, prince, as l trust you will
not reject miner"
"Friendship?" he repeated.
He dropped her hand almost roughly
, and strobe to the window.
At last he turned. This is insult
ferable!" he said. and now there was
passion in his voice. I have your faith
er's permission to address you, and ]
, demand hearing,"
But you have already addressed me
} and have listened" she said, trem-
} bling. but outwardly calm. II am
overcome by your highness' condescen-
4. sion. but l could never be your wife
do not love you. And besides"-she
looked down, blushing. at the gold
band encircling the third finger of her
left hand-"and besides. since my faith.
er left Pindi. l have become engaged
to Capt. Gordon of the Derbys."
The instant her lovers name hac
left her lips she regretted it,
How might not baffied suitor lik,
, the prince WELD his high authority tt
wreak vengeance on another aspirant
to her hand?
But Prince Clement Sing was regard
ing her with look more akin to pity
than anger in his piercing eyes.
"And you would relinquish the spien
!. dor ! lay at your feet for Capt. Cor
: don?" he said, in tones of incredulity
!, Because / love him." she answered
: bravely looking up into his face. Will,
a wave of crimson color made her owl
q fair features for the moment even NOR,
A bewitchingly fair to look upon.
S Prince Clement Sing was havinl
y bard work with himself to keep his ad
: miration within bounds, and the sigh
e of that blush all but overcame hi
self-control. But his English educa
Il tion had done much to subdue hi
s naturally fiery spirit. and he knew sue
g cess lay, not in passion. but persever
r ance.
But, Miss Derwent, much as I ad
y mire your constancy-and, of course
so long as you consider yourself en-
. gagged to Capt. Gordon my lips ar
. practically closed-still, | am driver
to remind you love is not everything
:. Position and rank are something.
. . lady is privileged to change her mind
= He stopped, and she seized the oppor
q tunity of speaking
Il shall never change, Prince Glenn
/ ent. After my God, there is nothin
! ranks higher with me than love-
q He took her hand. smiling a little /
r hide his chagrin.
: Then my only hope must be tina
) love will yet take pity and yield you
heart to my prayers"
n Again I repeat it is impossible: bu
II l thank you for the great complimen
/ you have paid me-" she said II trust
l. Prince Clement you Will forgive an
y forget me-"
r mo, ! cannot promise to forge
l. you" was all his reply. He stood 70
an instant then, looking half away
r half mortified almost as II uncertain
he should part with her in this seem
J. ing friendliness or in open rapture.
u The former course evidently pre-
vailed, for he bent over the hand h
held. and his thick. black moustach
brushed its snowy whiteness.
"If l can ever be OF service to yo,
you may rely on me-" he said. An