Marshall County independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1897-1902, 1900-05-18

4
| jealous pain it must bring to remem-
Der that Scottish home of his child
hood which he had looked some day to
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
| 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 10 those days
of long ago, and it 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 )
o'clock. with no reception afterwards.
owing to the brides deep mourning.
The previous night Don had partak-
en- of his farewell dinner as a bachelor
with his jolly comrades of the Dero;-
shire mess. and now was absent MAX
ing some last necessary arrangements
at his quarters as he and his bride
were 10 leave by the night train for
Bombay. where they would eaten Il
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 OF at
the bungalow for a few weeks longer.
as her child's health was in 100 pre-
cariOus state to undergo the long lea
journey home, and she had gladly ac-
cepted Lilies invitation 10 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 beauty
of her blue eyes and love-lit face. The
other woman. who had lost her dearest
on earth, looked at her with a me-
mentary pang of jealous grief She 1T
tie knew she was coming to chase the
joy from those blue eyes forever.
My love-" Mrs. Franklin spoke apol-
0getically. Il am so sorry to trouble
you, but Prince Clement Sing has just
arrived from Simla and demands to
see you. | explained TO him you were
busy and asked if | could not deliver
a message; but he insists on seeing you
alone
HAS he heard of our-Oar mar
riage?" qEeried Lille. while a deeper
color tinted her cheek
Yes He evidently knew OF it. for
he spoke of you as Mrs Gordon" IN
swered the other lady smiling. Il
think. dear. perhaps il 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 very tire
rid of him before Don comes back. for
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 Dons wife seemed to
have already added a subtle increase of
matronly power 10 her slim, young
figure
Prince Clement Sing was standing in
the middle Of the big rawing-room.
and the look on his face made her step
alter 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 d 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 pleas
IRE when you hear on what errand |
have come" he answered grimly. Il
only regret for your sake that | have
come too late
May | ask what Won mean" she
said, somewhat haughtily.
81 mean. madam | know you suffi-
GENTLY we'll to feel sure you would
have hesita:ed 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 me-" she said. with proud
scOrn.
She still stood because the Prince
also remained unseateh. and rs she
spoke she put out her little hand TO the
chair-back and stayed herself by it. for
/ she was trembling between annoyance
and alarm.
1T is unchivalrous to trGdict Il
lady said Prince Clement with a
slow. cruel smile yet find myself in
that unfortunate position obliged to
repeat my statement. that haye it il
my power to tell you what | know
would entirely alter your sentiments
towards the man you have unfortu-
nately married.
Then tell me Dothingi" she cried
with a little burst of passion. II de-
cline In IiStan IN vnu'"