The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1902-05-22

on chagrin and anger. He realized
that he had indeed made fool of him
self.
The countess advanced into the
room. "You do not appear very glad
to see me again, Paul. she remarked,
in her merry way, her loe-black, daz-
cling orbs fastened upon him with a
look that produced a singular effect
II am not, with good reason. Any
man would feel pretty much that way
who had been lured into trap. l am
angry at myself most of all.'
And pray why?" with an arch
SMILE
Because l have been such fool
not to see your hand back of the
game" he said, in so positive man
ner that the adventures WINGED.
"Ah, you are not Complimentary.
Well, mark my words, fire will melt
ice, and in war the soldiers of King
William cannot stand up before the
brave charges of my countrymen.
hear you have seen the Grown Prince
and that he has promised to place you
near his person."
Paul was secretly surprised.
This fact how could she know it,
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, 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 note?" he demanded, with some
show Of anger.
Eyes! In the cause of love, l would
not even hesitate to do that, believing
1 was acting for your good"
| You would not dare send that let
ter!,'
There is nothing I would not dare
for you!" fixing her lustrous orbs
upon him.
He shivered, whether with rage or
alarm he knew not; perhaps some
thing of both.
Surely never before was man in this
humor woodland Paul 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 at
the feet Of the woman they love best.
/ He made an impatient move.
What would you, MONSIEUR" she
asked.
II am going"
"You are cruel"
"No. 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 word Of hope, the least sign
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 Gree
Fortunately Paul did not have to
steel his heart against it since Hide
garde occupied that throne, and there
was no room for two.
"It would be folly worse than mad
ness to do anything of the sort, and
you know it as we'll as myself. So,
goodnight, countess!"
"Ah!"
\ This exclamation fell from her lips
in sort of exultant satisfaction.
For Paul, turning to leave the apart
ment as he had entered it, was thun-
derstruck to discover no signs of a
doorway in the wall-everywhere the
same white expanse, without any ap-
parent means of making an exit.
When Rhinelander made this re-
markable discovery he realized that he
had been caught mapping and was in a
trap.
| However, Paul was too cool Gus
toner to grow wild and rush hither
and thither, like chicken when the
shadow of q lowering hawk strikes
terror to it's quaking heart.
He cast sweeping glance around
him, while the woman held her breath
expecting an outburst.
"Well, now that's very odd," he re-
marked, just vexed trifle, apparently
What has happened?" she asked
| "The door has disappeared"
Indeed, SO it has!"
He threw himself into a chair.
Her eyes glistened at this sign OF
his careless Indifference.
''Then you are not going yet, Paul?''