Hutchinson gazette., 1900-03-29

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, ! looked for you
In valn," he said,
mo. was In mood for solitary
ride" she answered,
II trust that does not mean my pres
ence Is inopportune, dear ladyY"
She smiled, blushng slightly
"By no means, Prince, for now my
ride Is over" was her polite reply.
"Then may venture to invite my
self indoors, hope" he queried,
4 am not quite sure II 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 food
ing to her face,
"Your presence Is all-sufliclent," 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 allght, condescenslon 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 a
private interview,
Lille passed into the drawing room,
alarmed at what she lnstinctively knew
was to be the subject of that inter-
view; but fearful to give ofGense 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 vestlbule and removed his gloves,
and now he took his hostess hand and
led her to a 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 1t will be dark. "
"Ah, yes; we have no enthralllng
twilight as you have in England, Miss
Derwent," he answered softly, and with
tone Of regret meant to be covertly
fatterlng to her nationality. "Well,
no matter, ten minutes will suffice me
to say what-ah, what would have
said to you long before today, but that
l feared to be precipitate,"
"Then / am sure, prince, 1t is best
left unsald STILL" she answered, with
great earnestness.
"Surely you do not forbid me to
speak?" He regarded her haughtily,
II should not presume to do that"
she hastily rejoined II merely en-
treat"
"What?" he asked, with cold dis
pleasure, for she had stopped short,
flushing.
II feel sure your hlghness means to
be kind and friendly and flattering; but
but" Again she hesltated.
Prince Clement Sing looked down,
frownlng, and dark flush swept his
copper-tlnted face.
"Dut you do not esteem It an honor,
l presume, that l 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
princess, you give me the fairest flow-
er Of English maidenhood--a flower
that all the jewels in India could not
buy"
She tried to withdraw her hand.
Your highness latters me too much;
but what you ask Is impossible" she
said, very low.
He rose with an air Of impatlence.
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 strode to the window.
At last he turned "This is insuf-
ferable!" he said and now there was
passion in his voice. 4 have your faith
er's permission to address you, and
demand hearing!"
But you have already addressed me,
and l have listened" she said, trem-
bling, but outwardly calm. II am
overcome by your hlghness' condescen-
sion, but could never be your wife.
| do not love you. And besides"-she
looked down, blushing, at the gold
band enclrcling 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 had
left her lips. she regretted it.
How might not a bafIled suitor like
The prince WELD his high authority to
Wreak vengeance on another aspirant
IN hnr hando