The Lamar register., 1900-04-18
friendship he repeated.

AT last he turned. This is insult
ferableH' 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 could never be your wife.
! do not love you. And besides"-she
looked down, blushing. at the gold
band encircling 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 IL.
How might not bafIled suitor 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 a look more akin to pity
than anger in his piercing eyes.
And you would relinquish the splen-
dor / lay at your feet for Capt. Cor
don?'' he said, in tones Of incredulity.
Because | love him." she answered
brayely, 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-
tion 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 / ad-
mire your constancy-and. of course
so long as you consider yourself en-
gagged to Capt. Gordon my lips are
practically ciosed-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.
II shall never change, Prince Glenn
emit After my God, there is nothing
ranks higher with me than love-"
He took her hand, smiling a little to
hide HIS chagrin.
Then my only hope must be that
love will yet take pity and yield your
heart to my prayers"
Again / repeat 1t is impossible; but
thank you for the great compliment
you have paid me" she said. Il trust,
Prince Clement, you will forgive and
forget me-
mo. / cannot promise to forget
you was all his reply. He stood for
an instant then. looking half away
half mortified. almost as II uncertain II
he should part with her in this seem
ing friendliness or In open rupture.
The former course evidently pre-
| vailed. for he bent over the hand he
| held. aud his thick, black moustache
brushed its snowy whiteness-
''If can ever be OF service to you.
you may rely on me-" he said. And
bowling low again In response to Lii
lies farewell, he passed from the room
with steady steps and head erect. But
hidden deep down in his breast was
the gathering fury OF a maelstrom.
Within the drawing room, Lille
went to the window overlooking the
terrace. and, screened by the bamboo
and silk curtains, watched him mount
and ride away.
Her heart was beating wildly, not
with exuItation at the honor the
prince had done her. and which. not
so many years ago. would have filled
her coquettish vanity with delight
no; but with strange feelings of un-
rest, with regret, and with presents
ment Of evil
She fell on her knees in the gather
ing darkness. and great yearning
came over her for the fair English
home of her youth. and her father and
Don by her side in It's beloved sanctity.
And. all unconsciously, whilst she
prayed for their speedy return, hot
tears welled up into her eyes and fell
on her clasped hands. Alas. for she
knew not how great was yet to be her
need of those prayers and tears!
ITO be continued)