The Lamar register., 1902-08-20


A food of memories rushed through
her mind. as she sat there and watch
cd and waited for him. Some were
pleasant, some bitter.
But at least there seemed hope
should she array herself in the lists
against the princess, and fight to Sc
cure Marks love?
All, he was coming again; he had
found wha. he went after. and WAS
bringing his spoils to her.
How eagerly she watched each
movement of his well-remembered fig
ure-how boldly he strobe, as though
he recognized no man on earth as bet
ter than his peer.
Please heaven. these gathering
clouds might yet be scattered and the
sunlight of happiness shine over their
future.
The time crept on.
Surely they had reason to believe
deliverance must soon arrive from the
town whittier Jones had dispatched
messengers.
The night wore on.
Some of the women slep. from ex-
haustion.
Little Miss Millions had been made
SO comfortable and seemed to take
such confidence and trust in Merrick's
guardianship that she. too. dozed.
Then exhaustion overcame her. and
the god of sleep gently touched her
eyelids with his silver wand.
Fainter grew the sound of voices
near by-they were like tinkling bells
So. a tla,~ tn,.l,, fIHyty, "a
out.
"A noise of shouting aroused her.
Don't be alarmed" said a voice
close by. which instantly quieted her
fears. but train has arrived to take
us all on our way.
All was now confusion and hustle.
Women secured their valuables and
packages ready to enter the carriages
that would take them on to their des-
tination.
Presently they were settled as best
the conditions allowed.
Men hustled about changing the lug
gage, and 1t really seemed a relief to
hear the steam escaping from the new
motor after the dead silence that had
SO long hung like pail over the place.
At last they were on.
Constance lay back in her seat and
waited.
Although the town was only few
miles away and they reached it in
short order, the time seemed exceed
ingly hong to Constance.
At last the houses appeared.
They drew up at a station where
many people had gathered to see the
travellers who had passed through such
a remarkable adventure and yet lived.
Constance was wild with a desire to
put her head outside to see whether he
were in sight and cared to find one he
had left; but pride restrained her from
making this move.
A dozen people went by. and each
false alarm sent a wave of hot blood
over her, only to be followed by a
chill of keen disappointment
Then some one halted and ..oad
appeared, head that she knew full
we'll, since 1t had once lain in her lap
while the owner rested upon the
ground. insensible.
Constance" said voice. ARE you
here-may l enter?"
The railway carriage was fairly well
filled pretty much all of the way to
Nice. so that there was no opportunity
given Mark Merrick to play the lover.
even had he been inclined.
1t was. taken in all, most singular
Journey, and one they would long re-
member.
Although no words passed between
them that would Indicate sentiment.
there were numerous little acts that
served to thrill them-when hand
came in contact with hand subtle
telegraphic signal would send the
blood into her cheeks, and the glow
in his eyes spoke eloquently of the
passion he kept so well under re-
straint.
Jones ran across once or twice while
upon the platform. and upon each oc-
casion received the CHEEKY assurance
that all was we'll.
Nice at last.
Those who had gone through such
woeful experiences were not sorry to
have reached the end OF their journey.
Merrick was still courteous.
He insisted on seeing Constance and
her maid to the hotel.
After dinner he joined Jones, and
the two took dinner together.
Although so early in the season.
Nice was filling up with people from
all over Europe. the English predomi-
mating. as usual.
Monte Carlo. 1t is claimed, is the
open volcano crater through which
the seething. boiling lava Of human
cupidity and avarice finds its outlet
once dam this up and the molten mass
will burst out savagely in half a dozen
places.
wretched though the results are.
1t seems to be necessity in the eyes