Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1900-04-12

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self indoors. ! hope" he queried.
4 am not quite sure IL 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-sufiicient." 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, 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 a
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 ofIense by re-
fusing IL.
| 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 a seat, with a deferential
ceremony.
.'Ah, there is the evening gum" she
exclaimed, for the desperate sake Of
saying something to break the strain.
In ten minutes more II will be dark. -
"Ah, yes; We have no enthralling
twilight as you have In England, Miss
Derwent." he answered softly, and with
a tone Of regret meant to be eovertly
flattering to her nationality. well.
no matter, ten minutes will suffice me
to say what-ah. what l would have
said to you long before today. but that
feared to be precipitate."
Then | am sure, prince, II is best
left unsaid 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 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 hattering; but
but" Again she hesitated.
Prince Clement Sing looked down,
frowning, and dark flush swept his
copper-tinted face.
I presume. that I should love your"
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 fiow-
er of English maidenhood-a flower
that all the jewels in India could not
buy"
She tried to withdraw her hand.
Your highness flatters me too much;
but what you ask is impossible" she
said, very low.
He rose with an air OF impatiance.
Impossible, you say, and to me?'
She rose also.
II venture to hope to retain your
friendship, prince, as | trust you will
not reject mine?"
Friendship" he repeated.
He dropped her hand almost roughly
and strobe to the window.
At last he turned. This is insult
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 | have listened" she said. trem-
bling. but outwardly calm. Il am
overcome by your highness' condescen-
sion, but l could never be your wife.
l 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. have become engaged
to Capt. Gordon of the Derbys."
The instant her lovers name had
left her lips she regretted 1t.
| How might not a bafiied sutton like
the prince WELD his high authority to
wreak vengeance on another aspirant
to her hand?
But Prince Clement Sing was regard
ing her with look more akin to pity
than anger in his piercing eyes.
"And you would relinquish the SPLEEN
dor / lay at your feet for Capt. Cor
DOM" he said, in tones of incredulity.
Because I love him." she answered
bravely. looking up into his face. while
wave Of crimson color made her own
] fair features for the moment even more
bewitchingly fair to look upon.
Prince Clement Sing was having
hard work with himself to keep his ad-
miration within bounds. and the sight
of that blush all but overcame his
self-control. But his English educa-
ton had done much to subdue his
naturally fiery spirit. and he knew sue
cess lay, not in passion. but persever-
ance.
But, Miss Derwent, much as I ad-
mire your constanoy-and, OF course,
so long as you consider yourself en-
gagged to Capt. Gordon my lips are
practically closed-still, am driven
to remind you love Is not everything
Position and rank are something. A
lady is privileged to change her mind
He stopped. and she seized the oppor-
tunity Of speaking.
Il shall never change, Prince oiem'
ent. After my God, there Is nothing