Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1900-04-26

ocT tudI ScOIllSn nome VI MS cnleu-
hood which he had looked some dayNto
call his own.
The winding up Of her fathers af-
fairs, and the disposal of some of her
own property. was indeed her only in
centive for the homeward journey at
all; for, with the bond of ever-deepen-
ing love, her life henceforth would be
lived for Don alone.
1t seemed strange. commonplace
ending to that gay existence of coquet-
ry and ambition and almost .heartless
worldliness which once had constituted
the sum total of her thoughts and
actions.
AS Lille Gordon stood in her pretty
bedroom, watching her maid pack
away the simple white silk gown she
had worn for the marriage ceremony,
her thoughts leaped back to those days
OF long ago, and 1t seemed scarcely pos
sible she could be the same Lille who
had held love so lightly in that bygone
time.
The wedding had taken place at 5
o'clock. with no reception afterwards,
owing to the brides deep mourning.
The previous night Don had partak-
en- of his farewell dinner as bachelor
with his jolly comrades of the Derby
shire mess, and now was absent max
ing some last necessary arrangements
at his quarters, as he and his bride
were to leave by the night train for
Bombay, where they would eaten \
hired troopship hofneward bound.
There was a knock at the bedroom
door, and Mrs. Franklin's sweet voice
sought admittance.
The young widow was to stay on at
the. bungalow for a few weeks longer,
as her child's health was in TOO pre-
carious a state to undergo the long sea
journey home, and she had gladly ac-
cepted Lilies invitation to remain.
Lille answered the knock herself.
Despite the black crepe gown she now
wore, the young bride looked radiant.
with subdued happiness that made all
else forgotten but the joyous reauty
of her blue eyes and love-lit face. The
other woman, who had lost her dearest
on earth, looked at her with a mo-
mentary pang of jealous grief. ShA lit
tie knew she was coming to chase the
joy from those blue eyes forever.
MY love-" Mrs. Franklin spoke apol-
ogetically. Il am so sorry to trouble
you, but Prince Clement Sing has just
arrived from Simla, and demands to
see you. | explained to him yon were
busy, and asked if could not deliver
message; but he insists on seeing you
alone"
HAS he heard of our-our mar
riage?" queried Lille. while a deeper
color tinted her cheek.
Yes. He evidently knew of it, for
he spoke of you as Mrs. Gordon" an
swered the other lady, smiling. Il
think, dear, perhaps it would be more
diplomatic of you to go to him. TO
tell the truth, he was so emphatic
about seeing you he quite frightened
me-"
HE will not brighten me-" said Lii
lie, lightly. Really, he is a very tire
some individual, and | hope | shall get
rid of him before Don comes back, for
l know Don cordially dislikes him"
She picked up an ivory fan from her
dressing table and went, with a proud,
firm step, down the broad staircase
Her dignity as Don's wife seemed to
have already added a subtle increase of
matronly power to her slim, young
figure.
Prince Clement Sing was standing in
the middle of the big drdwing-room,
and the look on his race made her step
falter in spite of herself-it was dark
and almost lowering with suppressed
fury. Then she recovered her self-pos-
session with an effort, and went for
ward with a pretty obeisance and out
stretched hand.
This is an unexpected pleasure,
Prince; and had you come little later
you would not have found me here.
My husband and start for Bombay 20
night"
Il fear you will not count it a pleas
ure when you hear on what errand |
have come" he answered grimly. Il
only regret for your sake that l have
come too late"
May | ask what you mean?" she
said, somewhat haughtily.
81 mean, madam know you sufi-
GENTLY we'll to feel sure you would
have hesitated to ally yourself to one
whom you would feel it not worthy to
breathe the same air with you If you
knew what | know concerning him
Lille drew up her small person to
its full height, and, in her indignation,
laid aside the air of Difference which
usually marked her demeanor towards
her royal visitor.
Nothing you can say for or against
Captain Gordon can have the slightest
weight with mel" she said, with proud
scorn.
She still stood, because toe Prince
also remained unseated: and as she
spoke she put out her little hand to the
thair-back and stayed herself by it, for
she was trembling between annoyance
and alarm. ....
1T is unchivalrous to contradict a
lady" said Prince Clement, with a
slow, cruel smile; yet | find myself in
that Afortunate position-obliged to
repeat my statement. that I have it in
my power to tell you what | know
would entirely alter your sentiments
towards the man you have unfortu-
nately married"
Then tell me nothing" she cried
with little burst of passion. Il de-
cline to listen to you!"
She made a movement as if to sweer
proud curtsey and pass from the
room; but, with a quick stride, the
Prince covered the distance between
them and laid commanding hand or
her arm.
you shall listen to me, heard OIL
L. lata 10