The Red Cloud chief., 1902-03-07

termination TO MS dream occurred
Rhinelander was in a state bordering
on chagrin and anger. He realized
that he had indeed made q fool Of him
self.
q The countess advanced into the
room. you do not appear very glad
to see me again, Paul." she remarked,
in her merry way. her s%loe-black, daz-
cling orbs fastened upon him with a
look that produced a singular effect.
81 am not. with good reason. Any
man would feel pretty much that way
who had been lured into a trap. an
angry at myself most Of ALL"
And pray why?" with an arch
smile.
Because / have been such a fool
not to see your hand back of the
game" he said, in so positive a man
ner that the adventures WINGED.
"Ah, you are not complimentary.
Well, mark my words. fire will melt
ice, and In wal the soldiers Of King
William cannot stand up before the
brave charges of my countrymen. l
hear you have seen the Crown Prince
and that he has promised to place you
near his person."
Paul was secretly surprised.
This fact, how could she know IL,
when so far as he was aware. it
might be deemed a secret between
himself, Karl and the Crown Prince?
Evidently she had means of discov-
ering things that were supposed to be
unknown outside of the council cham
Der of the palace.
II have offered my services to His
Royal Highness, and, on account OF the
friendship formerly existing between
himself and my father, have been ac-
cepted. | shall go to the war"
Perhaps"
The peculiar manner in which she
uttered this one word caused him to
look at her keenly.
"Perhaps?" he repeated. why do
you say that, ma'mselle?"
well I have no doubt His Excel
lency is enough of a philosopher not
to appear very much surprised If, say,
early tomorrow morning he received
a very polite note from you, respect
fully declining the honor he has been
good enough to offer you"
do you mean that you would send
such a note?" he demanded, with some
show of anger.
Eyes! In the cause of love, l would
not ever hesitate to do that, believing
| was acting for YOU good"
you would not dare send that let
teri"
There is nothing l would not dare
for you!" fixing her lustrous orbs
upon him.
He shivered, whether with rage OF
alarm he knew not; perhaps some
thing OF both.
Surely never before was man in this
humor woodland Pau did not fancy
being a pioneer in the courts of Love
Such things may do in some effete
Old World monarchies, but not among
the sturdy new branches of the Anglo
Saxon race. where men hew fortunes
out of virgin soil and sue for favor al
the feet Of the woman they love best
He made an impatient w
What would you, MONSIEUR" she
asked.
Il am going"
You are cruel"
"No. l am only DESTROYS of acting as
any man of honor should act" firmly
And, knowing how madly l adore
you, Paul, you would leave me with.
, out even a word of hope, the least sigr
of affection?"
How soft and entreating her voice
the sirens OF the ancient Greek mari
ners were not in the same class with
, this modern Circe.
Fortunately Paul did not have t.
|, steel his heart against 1t since Hide
garde occupied that throne, and ther,
, was no room for two.
; 1T would be folly worse than mad
/ ness to do anything of the sort, ant
! you know it as we'll as myself. So
5 goodnight, CONTEST"
"Ah!"
This exclamation fell from her lip.
in a sort of exultant satisfaction.
I For Paul, turning to leave the apart
3 ment as he had entered 1t, was thun
2 derstruck to discover no signs of
. doorway in the wall-everywhere tn,
: same white expanse. without any ap
t parent means Of making an exit.
Y When Rhinelander made this re
: markable discovery he realized that h
had been caught mapping and was in
trap.
However, Paul was too cool a Gus
: toner to grow wild and rush hithe
and thither, like a chicken when tn
shadow of a lowering hawk strike
I terror to its quaking heart.
He cast a sweeping glance aroun'
s him, while the woman held her breath
expecting an outburst.
well, now that's very odd" he re
marked, just vexed a trife, apparently
: What has happened" she asked.
y "The door has disappeared"
e Indeed, so 1t hast"
He threw himself into a chair.
: Her eyes glistened at this sign o
his careless indifference.
~