Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-03-20
By EDWIN CASKODEN [CHARLES MAJOR1


'Then drop back with me-" I re- sponded.
 The princess looked at us with half smile, half frown, and remarked, "Now you doubtless consider yourselves very brilliant and witty"
 'Yes," returned Jane maliciously, holding her head in emphatic assent, as the princess and Brandon rode on before us.
 "I hope she is satisfied now," said Jane sotto voce to me.
 "So you want me to ride with you?' I replied.
 "Yes," nodded Jane.
 "Why?' asked.
 Because I want you to-" was the enlightening response.
 "Then why did you not dance with me the other evening""
 Because did not want to-
 "Short, but comprehensive" thought I, ''but a sufficient reason for a maid en-"
 I said nothing, however, and after time Jane spoke: 'sThe dance was one thing and riding with you is another. did not wish to dance with you, but do wish to ride with you. You are the only gentleman to whom would have said what did about my girth being loose. As to the new dance, I do not care to learn it, because I would not dance it with any man but you, and not even with you-yet" This made me glad, and coming from coy, modest Jane meant great deal. It meant no eI,o fa,y oy,I day be mine, but it also meant that she would take her own time and her own sweet way in being won This was comforting, If not satisfying, and loos- ened my tongue. "Jane, you know my heart Is full of love for you''-
 "Will the universe crumbIe?" she cried, with the most provoking little laugh. Now, that sentence was my rock ahead whenever I tried to give Jane some idea of the state of my af- factions. It was part of the speech which I had prepared and delivered to Mary in Jane's hearing, as you already know. had said to the princess, ''The universe will crumble and the heavens roll up as scroll ere my love shall al ter or pale" 1t was a high sounding sentence, but 1t was not true, as I was forced to admit, almost with the same breath that spoke it. Jane had heard it and had stored it away in that mem- ory of hers, so tenacious in holding to everything it should forget. Itsis won derful what fund of useless inforIna- tion some persons accumulate and cling to with persistent determination wor thy of better cause. I thought Jane never would forget that unfortunate, abominable sentence spoken so gran diloquently to Mary. wonder what she would have thought had she known that had said substantially the same thing to dozen others. never should have won her in that case. She does not know 1t yet and never shall if I can prevent.
 So Jane halted my effort to pour out my heart, as she always did.
 "There is something that greatly troubles me-" she said.
 "What is it?' I asked in some con cern.
 My mistress" she answered, nod ding in the direction of the two riding ahead of us. "I never saw her so lACEIGSIEu III ally OuC dS S1C ID HI your friend, Master Brandon. Not that she is really in love with him as yet perhaps, but I fear it is coming, and I dread to see it. That incident of the loose girth is 'an illustration. Did you ever know anything so bold and trans parent? Any one could see through it, and the worst of all is she seems not to care if every one does see. Now look at them ahead of us! No girl is so happy riding beside man unless she is interested in him. She was dull enough until he joined her. He seemed In no hurry to come, so she resorted to the dimsy excuse of the loose girth to bring him. am surprised that she even sought the shadow of an excuse, but did not order him forward without any pretense of one. Oh, don't know what to do! It troubles me greatly. Do you know the state of his feel lngs?"
 'sNo," I answered, "but think he is heart whole, or nearly so. He told me he was not fool enough to fall in love with the kings sister, and really be- lieve he will keep his heart and head, even at tbat dizzy height. He Is cool fellow, if there ever was one"
 "He certainly is different from other men, returned Jane. "I think he has never spoken word of love to her. He has said some pretty things, which She has repeated to me; has moralized to some extent, and has actually told her of some of her faults. I should like to see any one else take that lib erty. She seems to like it from him, and says he inspires her with higher, better motives and yearning to be good, but I am sure he has made no love to her"
 Perhaps it would be better if he did. It might cure her,'' replied.
 "Oh, no, no! Not now! At first, per haps, but not now. What fear is that if he remains silent much longer she will take matters in hand and speak herself don't like to say that t- it doesn't sound well-but she is a prin- cess, and it would be different with her from what it would be with an or dinary girl. She might have to speak first, or there might be no speaking from one who thought his position too