The Springfield herald., 1900-05-04

prise. for Don's disposition was so nat
urzlly reserved. He had spoken little
o, his engagement. and only few
brother officers and small number
o. Lilies personal friends were in the
secret.
The bridegroom had obtained long
leave" and with great reluctance had
at last yielded to Lilies appeal to
spend the honeymoon in England
He had given in on the one stipula-
tion that Gadis Ha' should not be in
cluded in the program; and Lille, with
that touch OF sympathy which makes
the whole world kin" understood the
Jealous pain ii must bring to remem-
Der that Scottish home Of his child
hood which ne had looked some day 20
call his own.
The winding up OF her fathers at
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 a strange. commonplace
ending to that gay existence of coquer-
~ 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 it seemed scarcely pus-
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 4 bachelor
with his jolly comrades Of the Ds7Uy-
shire mess. and now was absent max
ing some last necessary arrangements
at mis- quarters. as he and his bride
were to leave BY the night train for
Bombay. where they would eaten !
hired troopship homeward bound
There was a knock at the bedroom
door. and Mrs. Franklin's sweet voice
sought admittance.
The young widow wzs to stag OF At
the bungalow for a few weeks iouger.
as her child's health was in zoo pre-
carious state TO undergo the long -ea
journey home. and she had gladly ae-
cepted Lilies invitation to rera1in-
Lille answered the knock herself
Despite the black crepe gown she now
wore, the young bride looked radiant.
with subdued happiness that made ell
else forgotten but the joyous rcauty
of her blue eyes and love-lit facs. The
other woman. who had lost her ielrest
on earth. looked al her with A nc
mentary pang of Jealous grief She lit
I tie knew she was coming to chase the
/ JOY from these blue eyes forever.
My love- Mrs. Franklin spoke apol-
( ogetically. Il am 50 sorry to -rou5ie
/ you. but Prince Clement Sing has just
arrived from Simla. and demands to
see you. explained to him yuu were
busy. and asked if could not deliver
| a 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, Tor
( 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. 10
I tell the truth. he was so emphatic
about seeing you he quite frightened
me"
He will not frighten me- said Lii
| lie. lightly Really. he is a very tire
some Individual. and l hope I shall get
rid of him before Don comes back. for
know Don cordially dizlikes him
She picked up an ivory fan from her
dressing table and went, with 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
I the middle OF the big drawing-room
and the look on his face 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. 81
only regret for your sake that l have
come too late"
May | ask what YOU mean?" she
said. somewhat haughtily
Il mean. madam. I know you sufh'
1 GENTLY well to feel sure you would