The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1903-04-29

ward her I'm paradise, you xnow
one has the best of company" Then
he stopped, for she was courtesying low
before him, with demure eyes. Il beg
your pardon he said blankly.
ut is for me to beg your high
ness pardon" she said. "for yester-
day"
"How did you known he demanded
II didn't know at first" she evaded
pulling off one gauntlet. He caught
the hand thus barred.
HAS your highness seen the prin.
cess?" she asked. He let her hand 60
Il was told that the princess had not
yet come ill.," he returned stiffly. He
was very grave, but he took her hand
again and lifted it to his lips II like
you better as a private gentleman"
she added mischievously. Then as he
bent toward her lips she evaded him,
courtesying low again.
Don't" he said sharply. don't bow
to me. Why should you deny the kiss
to the prince that you granted to the
gentleman"
"Your highness knows that" she an
swered simply. 1--WE were mad yes
terday."
''Then am mad today" he returned.
II feel that it is chronic Let me be
private gentleman for awhile" She
shook her head.
NO" she said, mot so soon | like
to feel that | am talking to q prince.
Usually they talk to the princess. you
see. This is my hour Of triumph, your
highnesS Perhaps when the princess
has transferred her court to Lubbock
Malvoisie. perhaps some day Are
there woods near your place, your high
ness? For you might be wandering in
them. Once year now-I can imagine
that once d year it might be interest
ing to play at being merely a gentle
man"
Wait" he said IF the princess
honors my suit But she interrupted
MIN.
do not be afraid" she said. "There
are reasons of state. you know"
Then" he went on. regardless of her
railery, you need not come with her
to Lubbock -Malvoisie.'
Your highness does not want meW
the girl said, with a sudden catch in
her breath.
want YOU" he repeated, with
grOan Listen" He drew her to the
window and stood before her. "One
advantage private gentleman has
over his prince is that his love and
his honor may go hand in hand. Mine
may not My honor is the princess
my love she cannot have, for it is
yours. But my honor, that goes with
my hand to the princess. If l were
merely a prince I should carry you off
with me today. | would make you
confess to the paradise you smile at.
But am not merely prince or a gen
TENANT am both-and so you must
not come to Lubbock"
She had listened with lowered eyes
and her under lip caught between her
teeth.
Kiss me goodby." he said hoarsely.
'and go. | kissed you yesterday once
/ don't even know your name, but /
want you to kiss me once again and
then go-for heavens sake, go! She
raised her lips to his, and for mo-
ment he held her in his arms. his c.. elk
against hers; then he put her away
from him, and his glance Travelled
slowly and hungrily over her.
He stepped back with sudden ex-
| clamation. for the handle of her crop
was heavy gold crown. On the back
of the gauntlet she still wore was en-
| broidered a crown. and there were
crowns on the gold buttons that fas-
tened the straps of her habit
IF it please your highness"- she
began. courtesying before him. He
| caught her hands and drew her up and
toward him.
How could youf" he said. "Oh,
my love, my love-"
And l may come to Lubeck?" she
leased him. letting herself be drawn
slowly into his arms. rs this the
| princess hour?'
NO" he triumphed over her. his lips
| against her ear. This is the prince 9
| hour! And it is going to last life
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