The Monticellonian., 1903-07-30
imperi ,usly turned her back upon him,

one as fEls prince SAOuId De sent tG her,
 When their eyes net a swift electric flash thrilled them beth. "It is des- tined" he murmured 10 himself.
 She refuses the secretary curtlv. when he pleaded for dance, and q look of hatred and hurt pride followed her and her prince, as they moved toward the ballroom. a stately couple n their youth and perfect physical beauty. He danced as only an Austrian can, and after their third waltz together. with eloquent eyes he bent his beauti- ful head down and whispered: N ou waltz diyiuely, as no American l have ever seen. One would think you were | an Austrian"
 She was indignant at herself. as she felt the color mount into her cheeks, and knew that he. too, saw it, for he murmured low: You are beautiful blush rose in that gown. which is like 6 bit of sunset cloud. Come in here, where it IS cool" and he lead her to- ward the great, dimly-hghted con seryatory.
 The air was heavy witb the fra srance of lilies and roses, a fountain tinkled and splashed softly into marble basin. From tine ballroom foated dreamy music. Softened by the distance. Among the palms was seat of carved ebony, and there, in the Gim, rose-eolored light. they sat down.
 Caroline was swayed by an emotion, 1f ,,-E f1h Ea HoI q f p self capable as the princes glorous eyes were bent adoringly on her face. She had laughed at love before as ar idle fancy, a mere imaginary fantasy Of poets. She had never dreamed of the power that 1t could wield.
 How long they sat there she did not know, CT care, as he told her of his Austrian home, of his hopes and fears and ambitions, poured them all out in boyish longing for q eonfdante. As the moonlight shone softly down upon them, through the clear glass, the prince was back in his loved home land. in the semitropical night Sud- denly he stopped, confused
 'I know not why tell you this, Miss Rothbilt," he said. "I am not aecus- toned to taking thus solely of myself; you must forgive me. l have never told anyone these things before. but you understand. think have known you always. l am sure that our souls played together in Paradise in the long ago. l want you for friend. l will tell you something about myself -
 Herose and stood before her, looking down at her in certain masterful way that she both loved and feared.
 If l want a thing, Miss Rothbilt. I would go through hell itself to get il. I want your friendship-or love" His voice trembled and was full of linz gering sweetness. 'I need it. You lit tie know what I would do for love of this rare kind. such as yours would be. l know of no torture on earth, nor can conceive of any in hell. that I would not laugh al, while enduring 1t, if l knew it would bring me to you"
 Caroline listened with dowucast eyes, as the musical, impassioned voice went on and then ceased. She was swayed by feeling stronger than anything she had ever known. Men had mace love to her before, but no one had ever had this masterful, compell- ing sweetness. She was half afraid. and yet she, too. felt this strange ia miliarity about him, as though some where she had known him before. Something had come into her life. new unknown force, and whether he were prince or peasant it would have been tke same to her.
 She trembled, as she raised her eyes 10 his, eyes full of tears, and held out her hands to him. He fell upon one knee beside her and clasped the little hands, pouring out his love and fea!ty in broken words.
 '.I know not who you are" he said 'I know nothing about you, except that l love you as few women are ever loved. l knew il the moment looked into your eyes. am nothing. have little to offer you. am poor, but what have I lay at your dear feet"
 She laughed l-ghtly. "Ah, you say that to me" she said "Nothing to offer, when you hold all power in your hand! You are iesting-prince."
 The man started to his feet \ look of surprise and despair stole into his dark eyes.
 .sAh, earita," he cried. with passion ate sadness. "You have made mis- take. am the princes secretary. He is the prince"
 He pointed into the ballroom, where the ether, weak, sensual, leering, was bending over his hostess. who was smiling upon him, as though he were one of the gods come down from Olympus.
 "You are not the prince?" cried Caroline, slowly, looking from one to the other while he, dropping. despair ing. sank down upon seat at little distance. and buried his face in his hands. Then great light shone in her eyes, as she rose ahG went tc him and raised lis bowed head.
 T care net whether you gre of royal