The silver star., 1900-04-20

appearance and high intellectual stand
ing; and Lille would gladly have well
coined the diversion of his company
that his visit portended to matters con-
cerning herself
And she was not long in discover
ing such to be the case.
You did not honor the course. to-
day, Miss Derwent. l looked for you
in vain" he said
NO. was in mood for solitary
ride" she answered
Il trust that does not mean my pres
ence is inopportune. dear LADY,"
She smiled, blushing slightly
BY no means. Prince. for now my
ride is over" was her polite reply.
Then l may venture to invite my
self indoors. l hope" he queried.
I am not quite sure If you will find
Mrs. Franklin at home" she began.
But Prince Clement Sing looked
straight at her. with a glance from his
black eyes that brought the color flood
ing to her face.
Your presence is all-suHicient." he
said. bowling low. as he swerved his
horse aside to allow her to pass
through the gate before him.
Arrived at the bungalow. he waved
the attendant back and himself assisted
her to alight. condescension which
embarrassed her all the more, as the
prince took occasion to command that
Mrs. Franklin should not be summoned
for the next quarter of an hour. as it
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 offense by re-
fusing it.
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 deferential
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
tone OF regret meant to be covertly
fiattering to her nationality. We'll,
no matter, ten minutes win suffice me
to say what-ah. what l would have
said to you long before today, but that
! feared to be precipitate."
Then I 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.
Il 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.
Il feel sure your highness means to
be kind and friendly and nattering; but
but" Again she hesitated.
| Prince Clement Sing looked down.
frowning and dark flush swept his
copper-tinted face.
But you do not esteem Il an honor,
! presume. that ! should love you?"
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 flow
! er OF English maidenhood--a flower
,, hat all the Jewels In India could not
buy"
She tried to withdraw her hand. 0i
Your highness fiatters 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 insuf-
ierapie! nc snid. and now there was
passion In his voice. I have your faith
er's permission to address you. md I
demand hearIng!"
But you have already addressed me
and ! have listened" she said. trcm.
bling. but outwardly calm. "I am
overcome by your highness' condescen-
sion. but could never be your wife.
do not love you. And besldes"--she
looked down. blushing, ut the gold
band encircling the third finger of her
left l'and--"and besides. since my faith
or left Plndi. have become engaged
to Capt. Gordon Of the Dcrbys."
The instant her lovers name Ind
left her lips she regretted Il.
How might not a baffied suitor like
the prince WELD his high authority to
wreak vengeance on another aspirnnt
TO her hand?
Hut Prince Cictnont ct,,, .,