The evening Republican., 1902-05-22
"LITTLB GIRL
.~ in CAMPANlA.

ar I'm CAMPANlA.
From SIR art Set.
O-O.Oh! cried the marquise, In a
shocked whisper. "Oh, how dare you,
Sire! How dare you'll" and she
quivered with righteous rage-at
least it looked like righteous rage.
II didn't," said the King.
"You tried TO-" she insisted,
quiyering again.
II meant" said the King, shat
didn'G dare-not'in my right mind
1T was momentary madness"
son, "said the marquise, coldly.
>-''You see." proceeded his Majesty,
scowling at a beribboned officer who
inadvertently peeped INTO the retreat
''yon're-you'rc such an unapproach
allie sort of person, such a church
portal graystone saint, you carry
your q ose-I mean your chin-so high
in the air! Why, bless my soul! I'd
as soon think Of going out In the
sculpture gallery and trying to kiss
the Pallas Athene or the Vents di
Milo--tnat is, Of course, in calm
frame of mind. Just now that cursed
music yonder set me off-that aud
other things. I've been wanting to
kiss you Tor SO long! Come, now.
you'll have to forgive me. After all.
he went on, ENORMOUSLY, "what the
dev--w what in the worlds the good OF
being a king II you can It kiss people?
There s a sort VI inherent right to it
Moreover, there are reasons in this
particular case that-that You don't
know anything about.
The marquise shifted and waved
her big white fan. Another berib.
boned officer peeped into the alcove
aud said "Oh! and backed out,
while the King made remarks under
, his breath.
II can't see, said the marquise
presently in a tone Of plaintiye re-
hection, ! can see why men want
TOTO do those things.
"Swear!" inquired the King.
NO" said the lady, shortly.
''Interrupt!' he ventured.
Mo-
ooh said the King.
Then, presently: DO they, all OF
themg''
"Of course they do" said the mar
| qrlise, with some sharpness; 'all of
them"
Shocking bounders.' murmured
his Majesty.
Though why" she went on pen
sively, Il cannot immagine."
Shall tell you why?' he asked.
II can give you some very excel
lent reasons
The marquise raised her big white
fan once more. You needn't
trouble" she said, haughtily.
"Oh very well, then, . sighed his
Majesty, Il won't"
The marquise closed the fan with
snap. You needn't be nasty
about it, she said
No more officers with ribboned
breasts and dragging sabres came to
interrupt. The palms overhead
swayed little, the breath Of roses
stirred abroad, the orchestra out in
the ballroom began to play some
thing strange and Hungarian, some
thing with queer, breath catching
tempo with low, trembling chords.
What did you mean, Sire" be-
gan the marquise, after long time,
what did you mean by saying a
little while ago that there were
were reason reasons that l didn't
know anything about! What rea-
sons can there be!'
The king moved uneasily in his
seat, ane something came ror q mom-
ent into his face, lining 1t, ma king
j, hsggard, Then he laughed and
made d little bow.
You are the most be autlful woman
in Europe, said lie. At least they
all say 50. Ism t that reason enough:
Who wOulden't want to kiss tue
most beautiful woman in Europe?
Tell me the reason, Sire, said the
marquise. unsmiling.
Something came again into the
Kings face. He bent over and laid
hold Of the end of big white fan that
the lady hold and looked into her
eyfs-that were blue purple, like
Russi an violets. The eyes closed for
an instant.
A long time ago, said his Majesty,
softly. years ago, before ever l wal
a king, when was only the youngeI
brother Of the Crown Prince, spc II,
IL Summer down South Of Vienna, iI
Campania. Do you know where Cam
pania is, mar4uise?
yes" said the marquise. touch
in the flowers at her bosom aud
bending her face over them. "yes,
! know where Campania 49,
II was visiting the Grand Duke.
continued HE Majesty; II went TO
some shooting, butt iell 10 love
marquise y
That" murmured the lady, hel
face low owe the flowers, "lhat il
no strange thing Why, even
have fallen in love-and you, Sire
do You know what they cali yof
over in Europe? The roy al lover.
have heard tales Of you in Pari'