Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1902-05-23


smile.
Because I have been such 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 war the soldiers Of King
William cannot stand up before the
brave charges Of my countrymen.
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 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
erng 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
utilized this one word caused him to
look at her keenly.
"Perhaps?" he repeated. why do
you say that, ma'mselle?"
We'll, 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
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.
Yes! In the cause of love, would
not even hesitate to do that, believing
l was acting for your good"
You would not dare send that let
teri"
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"
mo. I 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 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.
1T 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
sumo white expanse, without any ap-
parent means of making an exit.
When Rhinelander made this re-
markable discovery he realized that he
trap.
However, Paul was too cool a GUS
toner to grow wild and rush hither
| and thither, like chicken when the
shadow of lowering hawk strikes
terror to its quaking heart
He cast sweeping glance around
him, while the woman held her breath,
expecting dill OulDuESl.
well, now that's very odd," he re-
! marked, just vexed a 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."
she asked.
He looked at her steadily.
We'll. no; not just yet. My mind
has changed, and there is not as much
need of haste as l supposed"
Mon Dieu! excellent superb! You
are what l should call philosopher,
Paul"
How she loved to linger caressing-
ly on his name!
"Now,' said Paul, lets talk about
this matter calmly. I grant that you
have brought me here in a manner
that does you credit, and l seem to be
in something of hole. Perhaps we
can arrange it all in some sort of COM
promise
Womanlike, the countess took this
as sign of weakness and became
more positive in her demands.
"The paper will not be sent upon
only one condition, monsieur"
"Ah yes, and that?"
You will renounce forever all de-
sire to make this girl, Hidegarde,
your wife, and agree to bestow upon
me the regard l crave"