Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1903-07-07


ed" he pleaded, with the subtlest dou-
BILE meaning.
"Why should you wound me" she
asked plaintively. you have no right
to treat the throne occupy as a SUBJ
ject for pranks and indignities. l did
not believe you could be so-forgetful." }"
There was a proud and pitiful resent
ment in her voice that brought him to
his senses ut once. He had defiled her
throne. In shame and humiliation he
cried:
81 am a fool, an migrate! You have
been too gentle with me. For this
despicable act Of mine l cannot ask
pardon, and it would be beneath you to
grant it. 1 have hurt you, and / can
never atone. forgot how sacred Is
your throne Let me depart in dis
grace" He stood erect as if to forsake
the throne he had stained, but she,
swayed by q complete reversal Of feel
ing, timidly, pleadingly touched his
arm.
"Stay! It is my throne, after all. I
shall divide it, as well as the sin, with
you. Sit down again, I beg Of you.
For brief spell would rule beside a
man who is fit to be king, but who Is
desecrator. There can be no harm,
and no one shall be the wiser for this
sentimental departure from royal Gus
tom. We are children anyhow. mere
children"
With an exclamation of delight he re-
sumed his position beside her. His
hand trembled as he took up hers to
carry it to his lips. 1--WE are CHILDREN
playing with fire." he murmured, this
migrate, this fool!
She allowed her hand to lie Imply IN
his, her head sinking to the back OF the
chair. When her hand was near his
feverish lips, cool and white and trust
ing, he checked the upward progress.
Slowly he raised his eyes to study her
face, finding that hers were closed, the
semblance of smile touching her lips
as If they were in happy dream.
The lips! The lips! The lips! The
madness of love rushed into his heart;
the expectant hand was FORGOTTEN; his
every hope and every desire measured
itself against his discretion as he look
ed upon the tempting face. Could he
kiss those lips but once his life would
be complete.
With start she opened her eyes,
doubtless at the command Of the mas
terfuA ones above. The eyes Of blue
met the eyes of gray in short, sharp
struggle, and the blue went down In
surrender. His lips triumphed slowly,
drawing closer and closer US If restrain
cd and ippelled by the same emotion
arrogant love.
"Open your eyes. darling" he whis-
pered, and she obeyed. Then their lips
met-her first kiss Of love!
She trembled from head to foot, per-
fectly powerless beneath the spell.
Again he kissed a princess on her
throne. At this second kiss her eyes
grew wide with terror. and she sprang
from his side. standing before him like
one bereft Of reason.
''Oh, my God! What have you done"
she walled. He staggered to his feet,
dizzy with JOY.
"Haw cried gruf voice from the
doorway. and the guilty ones whirled
to look upon the witness to their bliss
full crime. Inside the curtains. with
carbine leveled at the head Of the
American. stood Allode, the guard, bis
face distorted with rage. The princess
screamed and leaped between LOrry
and the threatening carbine.
"Allode" she cried In frantic terror.
he angrily cried out something in his
native tongue and she breathlessly,