The Elbert County tribune., 1900-05-03
y: y: X X X X \: X II y X y: y: \: X y:

| Watching ner maid pack
away the simple white silk gown she
mad worn for the marriage ceremony,
her thoughts leaped back to those days
Oh long ago, and 1t seemed scarcely nos-
sible she could be the same Lille who
had held love SO lightly In that bysone
time. eo"'
Inc wedding had taken place at 4
O'CLOCK, with no reception afterwards.
owing to the brides deep mourning.
The previous night Don had nartak-
en- of his farewell dinner as a bachelor
with his jolly comrades of the Derby
snire 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 catch a
hired troopship homeward bound.
There was knock at the bedroom
door. and Mrs. Franklin's sweet voice
sought admittance.
The young widow was to stay on AZ
the bungalow for a few weeks longer
as her child's health was In too pre-
carious state to undergo the long sea
Journey home, and she had gladly ac-
cepted Lilies invitation to remnin.
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 beauty
oil her blue eyes and love-lit face. The
other woman, who had lost her dearest
on earth. looked at her with n mo-
mentary pang of jealous grief. She lit
tie knew she was coming to chase the
JOY from those blue eyes forever.
MY love-" Mrs. Franklin spoke apol-
ogetically. 81 am SO sorry to trouble
you. but Prince Clement Sing has Just
arrived from Simla. and demands to
see you. I 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 1t, for
he spoke of you as Mrs. Gordon" an
swered the other lady, smiling. 81
think, dear, perhaps it would be more
diplomatic of you to go to him. 70
tCii thc ne was 81
about seeing you he quite frightened
me-"
He will not frighten me-" said LII
lie, lightly. Really, he is 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 subtle increase of
matronly power to her slim, young
figure.
Prince Clement Sing was standing in
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 pretty obeisance and out
stretched hand.
This is an unexpected pleasure,
Prince; and had you come a little later
you would not have found me here.
My husband and start for Bombay to-
night"
81 fear you will not count 1t pleas
ure when you hear on what errand I
have come" he answered grimly. Il
only regret for your sake that have
come too late"
May l ask what / mean?" she
said. somewhat haughtily.
"I mean, madam, know you suffi-
ciently well to feel sure you would
have hesitated 10 ally yourself to one
whom you would FEEL 1t not worthy to
breathe the same air with you II 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 the Prince
also remained unseated; and as she
spoke she put out her little hand to the
chair-back and stayed herself by 1t, for
she was trembling between annoyance
and alarm.
at is unchivalrous to contradict a
lady" said Prince Clement. with
slow, cruel smile; yet find myself in
that unfortunate position-obliged TO
repeat my statement. that have 1t 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 a little burst OF passion. Il de-
cline to listen to you'll"
She made a movement as II to sweep
a proud curtsey and pass from the
room; but, with a quick stride, the
Prince covered the distance between
them and laid a commanding hand on
her arm.
''You shall listen to mel heard OF
It too late to prevent this unholy mar
riage; but at least | will not be cheat
ed of my revenge. l loved you-you
flouted me; and now I can make you
suffer, and you shall suffer-"
"She shrank beneath his iron touch,
for, despite her calm exterior, her heart
beat high with unknown terror IN the
clutch OF this fanatic, with whom re-
venge was virtue.
"Then | ask your highness to say
what you intend to say quickly, anu
allow me to retire" she said, with
brave coolness she was far from feei-
ing. 'I beg to remind you again that
we are leaving Pindi in two hours
time. and expect my husband TO JOIN
me here every moment.
LET him GOMEZ" returned the Prince
and he laughed scathing h'.le
laugh. Let him come and deny ne