The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1901-04-12

had taken drifted to him. Her father
had died, and she had gone to live with
a wealthy aunt I'm London. From stray
papers that reached him he learned
that her beauty had caused quite a SEN
satlon In society. Then at last came
the news that she had married a for
eigner OF great position, Prince Fan
dra.
He wondered if she ever thought OF
him-remembered the night he had
confessed his love to her. Not a day
had passed In those long years OF fall
ure but her image had been before
him. Now, at length, when he had
achieved some slight success, 1t was
too late. All that was left for him
was to take the absurd little journey
OF sentiment.
Early next morning he Travelled to
Beaulleu. He got out Mt the railway
station and, following the path that
led round to 81. Jean. passed the fish
ing village AMI gained the Point. There
he sank dow on the ground and gave
himself up TO his reflections. 1t was
a perfect morning, n cloudless sky. the
air soft and pregnant with the per-
fumc OF the roses that grew right to
the edge OF the tiny cliff. Some 30 feet
below him was the sea, not n ripple OH
It's smooth surface. the clear blue tints
cleaning In the sunshine.
Presently he was aware or woman
gazing curlously Mt him. The next
moment they had recognized one an
other. She went suddenly pale, and
her lips parted in wonder.
Ralph" she gaspcd.
lie looked at her mutcly. He was
face to face with her at last, and the
blood went throbbing through his
veins.
"Yes, just Ralph" he said mechanic
ally.
=. She, held out her hand. and he took
II awkwardly.
"And to think it Is YOU after all
these years. she said softly.
1Iippcslcy did not speak. His
thoughts had flown back dozen years
To the night when he had left her An
lndctinahlc idea came 10 him that she,
too, was thinking OF the same thing.
IL won't lic," he said abruptly. 81
am not here by chance. | heard you
were on the Riviera, and after all
these years | wanted to see YOU again
just TO see you; had no notion OF
speaking"
She gazcd at him steadily, MS II try
Ing TO read his thoughts
You have loved me all this timcw
she asked slowly.
lie bowed his head. She turned
away with "A little sob.
"And you never wrote" she cried.
"Oh. why didn't YOU writc?"
II was n failure such an utter fail
ure | could not write To claim YOU"
he said hoarscly. You did well.
wasn't worth waiting FOR"
She looked nj him. the tears glstCu-
ing in her eyes.
what n tumble fate made OF our
lives" she sighed.
at lid not matter. You are the Prin-
cess Zandrn."
"Oh, I am tircd-tlred 10 death OF II
hAls Nllf NAl'b III ~ lNuf VI NAAfA Nfdllr
ness. "To have 20 live In an artificial
world, among people who are not my
peoplc-thcre ls no one left 20 me now
and 20 have to begin II all over again"
she added In n half sorrowful. musing
tone.
lie understood. lie remembered the
words he had overheard at the cafe. 10
was all true, then. She looked MP at
him quickly. with n smile.
"But you. Ralph; what have you
donel" she asked gently.
For years nothing. Now. at last.
I've got small estate I'm Ceylon. It's
n fair living. while I work hard not a
bad life, too. for n man who has lost
his ambitions"
mo. not n bad llfe." she repeated.
"a lonely one. though" She gave "A
little laugh. There was an infinite note
OF sadness In h. "As lonely as mine
has becnr'
She lifted her head. and their eyes
met. lie read something In her gaze
n something that sent him trembling
from head 10 foot.
MY God, Esme"' he cried. Tiff