The Jennings daily record. [volume] (Jennings, La.) 1900-1903, 1902-07-21

however. did the prince refuse. saying
somewhat curly that he made 1t II rule
never to play cards on hoard ship but
he repeated the incident 10 Mrs. Erne,
and Mrs. Erne repeated 1t to the major,
who expr. ss.d his opinion. very warmly,
that the prince was quite right.
BY the time Hildred. who was present
when her mother and the major talked
this over related it to Gerard. the Incl
dent he assumed the complexion of a
deliberate attempt II Capt. Earrings part
to induce the prince to gamble. and To
| an honorable refusal on the part of the
latter to be led into such courses.
Capt. Tarring wns furious.
that was gambler If not a swindler!
While. a matter of fact. I've never
had the least inclination that way. while
they do say that the prince used to play
very high indeed out IN India
Did he really asked Hildred lie
talks as if he never touched card at
| all. And mamma said II was quite de-
liehtful to meet a man with SO much
| sen:e.
"Nonsense cried Capt. Tarring. sharp
| iy. Ask the major whether his friend
used not to gamble and for heavy stakes.
| too"
Oh he wouldn't admit il. said Hill
bred Il cant understand why it is. but
! he always talks about the PRINCE kaH@AAm-
! ma as II he were the very n.
| lection.
| Capt. Tarrins pulled his p,istache and
! frownsd.
Yes; for some reason he takes his
part through thick and thin
Perhaps. suggested Hildred. ne
\ knows the prince used to play high and
! admir- him for giving it up
Thi 1emed a very possible explana-
ton. Capt. TarrinE had to admit that
it might be the truth. If the prince had
| been a gambler and had Sworn or TO
please his friend, the major. it would ac-
| count for the extraordinary interest the
latter appeared to show in the young no
| bleman.
with a shrus of thesshoulders. ''he be-
| comes at once herd4n your eyes. w.
! all know how dearly woman loves "A
| reformed rake. or spehdthrift, or any
thing of that sort.
Its very unfair of you to say that.
Gerard" said Hildred warmly. land |
don't deserve il. Have ever made any
pretense of liking anybody as we'll as
do you?"
Then why don't you tell your mother
trying to prevent your marrying me?
Why don't you take {, bold stand. Hill
bred: You're coward at heart, ! be-
iiere,"
The girl shook her head slowly, with
troubled look in her eyes.
Il don't think am. she said. but l
know we'll what would happen il 1
took what you call bold stand In the
| NrSt place. OF course, mamma "ohiu HaNe
to pretend to agree, and should be
engaged shouldn't We
Well that would be something, in
stead of my having to stand about and
meet YOU under the companion in TINS
hole and corner fashion
| Well but listen. Then mamma would
never leave off running YOU down. not
openly. you know, but by implication in
hundred little -prickins ways. On
you don't know what mamma can d" IN
| that way"
And do you mean to say you would
| let yourself be persuaded into thinking
the less of me for her pin pricks?
No: but it wouldn't be very pleasant
now would it? Wen. then. there's an
other thing she'd do. She would never
| always be amiable and courteous. as wen
as wise and discreet while mamma was
continually making half-sad illusions to
to what she didn approve on
He frowned uneaSily.
Would she do that: he said. /
| can't believe ii of her.
We'll. she would. ! feel sure. and that
wouldn't be all Remember. | have t"
go with her just where she pleases I"
take me. and you may be very sure that,
if I were to engage myself to you. she'd
please to take me where We couldIneNer
See each othsr, Or" SAss
But We wauldnt have a long engage
ment. Why. hould you? After all. am
ing to wait Tor. SgS
Hildred sighed. .Se
II don't believe YOU really care about
me at ALL" said he. hurt and offended by
her silence.
The tears came to her blue eyes.
| Il knew you'd say that" she muir
INJURED. But it isn't true. do love you,
as I've told you hundred times. And
until the major took sides against you |
was always hoping
4, ,.-ith .<,y,t,, sion
of rage. II knew it was he who had done
this. I knew your mother would never
have been so insolent to me as sh" has
been the last day or two
"Oh. don't! don't talk about it. know
It's true. and il breaks my heart to hear
her.
Then, do you really mean to let them
arrange your life for YOU and marry
you to this fellow you don't care two
straws about? Or, stay, perhaps YOU
| are all the time only flirting with me,
just to lead the other man on? Per
| hapS-"
Perhaps you're jealous goose. Ger
ard. I not only do not like the prince,
but positively dislike him II I We're
shut up in prison until l married him
| should remain in prison all my life. l
don't think 1 can say anything stronger
than that.
DO you mean that"
'1ndeed-irdeed. do"
| But Why? He's good looking much
better looking than I am
| II know he is: he's much better man
nered than you are. I really think. And
| I'm sure he's cleverer and can talk more
| languages and all that
Yes. and he's given up gambling to
| please you. I suppose. which is quite
touching. Of course burst out Gerard.
angrly.
| Has he? I didn't know it. | was going
to say that what he is and what he does
! IL. .; ,ul, l,,,,'t
| know why. l dislike him. almost much.
! Gerard, as | like you.
There was some comfort in this assur-
! ance, and with that and "A surreptitious