The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1903-05-15

acquisition to society, both in persona
appearance and high intellectual stand,
ing; and Lille would gladly have wei
coined the diversion of his company
but that she was consumed by the feal
that his visit portended to matters con
corning herself.
And she was not long in discover.
ing such to be the case.
You did not honor the course to-
day. Miss Derwent. looked for you
in vain," he said.
mo. was in a mood for a solitary
ride she answered.
i trust that does not meal my pres
ence is ~inopportune, dear LADY,"
She smiled, blushing slightly.
by no means, Prince, for now my
ride is over" was her polite reply.
Then l may venture to invite my
self indoors, 1 hope" he queried.
I am not quite sure if you will find
Mrs. Franklin at home" she began.
But Prince Clement Sing looked
straight at her, with a glance from his
black eyes that brought the color food
ing to her face.
Your presence is all-suficient," he
said, bowling low, as he swerved his
horse aside to allow her to pass
through the gate before him.
Arrived at the bungalow, he waved
the attendant back and himself assisted
her to aljght, a condescension which
embarrassed her all the more, as the
prince took occasion to command that
Mrs. Franklin should not be
for the next quarter of an hour, as it
was with Lille herself he desired a
private interview.
Lille passed into the drawing room,
alarmed at what she. instinctively knew
was to be the subject of that inter-
view; but fearful to give offense by re-
fusing it.
And when the prince Joined her 1t
was apparent he meant to waste no
time in going straight to her mission.
He had left his sword and belt in
the vestibule and removed his gloves,
and now he took his hostess hand and
led her to a seat, with a d%eferential
ceremony.
"Ah, there is the evening gum" she
exclaimed, for the desperate sake of
saying something to break the strain.
In ten minutes more it will be dark"
"Ah, yes; we have no enthralling
as you have in England, Miss
Derwent," he answered softly, and with
a tone of regret meant to be covertly
f1attering to her nationality. "Well,
no matter, ten minutes will suffice me
to say what-ah, what I would have
said to o long before today, but that
l feared to be precipitate."
Then l am sure, prince, it is best
left unsaid STILL" she answered, with
great earnestness.
Surely you do not forbid me to
speak," He regarded her haughtily.
Il should not presume to do that"
she hastily rejoined. 81 merely en-
treat"
"What?" he asked, with cold dis
pleasure, for she had stopped short,
flushing.
Il feel sure your highness means to
be kind and friendly and lattering: but
but Again she %hesitated.
Prince Clement Sing looked down,
frowning, and a dark flush swept his
copper-tinted face.
But you do not esteem it an honor,
[ presume, that l should love your"
There was asperity in his voice.
Too great an HONOR she averred.
His frown and flush passed. He bent
her and took her hand.
1.-THE honor is divided he said gal
lantly. eff / give you the crown of a
princess, you give me the fairest flow
er of English maidenhood-a flower
hat all the jewels in India could not
She tried to withdraw her hand.
Your highness fatters me too much.
out what you ask is impossible" she
said, very low.
He rose with an air Of impatience.
Impossible, 0 say, and to me ?"
She rose also.
/ Ncutuic " nope TO retain your
friendship, prince, as l trust you will
lot reject mine?"
friendship" he repeated.
He dropped her hand almost roughly
md strobe to the window.
At last he turned. This is insult
erable!" he said, and now there was
'assion in his voice. I have your faith
permission to address you. and
lemand a hearing!"
But you have already addressed me
md l have listened" she said. trem-
ling, but outwardly calm. 81 am
by your highness' condescen-
ion, but l could never be your wife.
do not love you. And besides"-sbe
ooked down, blushing, at the gold
'and encircling the third finger OF her
eft hand-"and besides, since nv faith
r left Pindi, I have become engaged
o Capt. Gordon Of the Derbys."
The instant her lovers name had
eft her lips she regretted it.
How Rojuh{ r~+ L.