The Union Republican., 1904-12-02

he had gained can."1l of the smile that
| threatened to tDH,Ul,c his cOunte-
nance, for lie knew lie could Eot be
! mistaken about that patch -. dia-
mond dust. II was scarcely probable
| that two girls wolsl he dressed just
| like this.
"Your highness, no battle trophy ev-
er filled me with joy that the effect
of your approval does not far exceed.
Permit me-" lie added, seating himself
beside her.
Its really pleasure" she contin-
ued affably. ut is so seldom that one
meets royal blood in this democratic
America. 1t will positively be the
cause of my being an old maid, for Of
course a princess could not marry a
commoner, could slie?" Bettina's wick
ed little dimple was now in evidence,
and the patch on her cheek called at
tention to 1t in way that seemed
positively audacious.
"No, indeed he assented eagerly:
''of course princesses must marry-er-
kings and things"
Bettina nodded approvingly. Her blue
eyes looked into his with guileless ex-
preston that threatened Dent with a
second attack of convulsions.
Yes, of course" she smiled into his
face with confidential friendliness.
II rather think would like king my
self, but have met so few" signing.
"In fact you are the first one"
He leaned over and took the fan
from her hand.
Fair princess. I feel that one could
wish the first might be last and the
last might be first"
"0h don't; please don't" she en-
treated hurriedly. Don't wish for any
thing. I'm afraid you might-cry."
Dent stared in astonishment
"Perhaps / ought not to have men,
toned it'-she drew the corners of
her small mouth down in an absurdly
contrite manner-"but we heard about
Alexander the Greats weeping; it's
really matter of history. 1 would
not start you to crying and spoil the
evening for you-not for anything"
81 feel n lump in my throat right
now," he declared. 81 am perfectly
sure that if you don't dance this next
waltz with me l shall burst into tears
according to history"
She rose quickly.
"Anything to please the bal mean
anything to keep you from crying"
she said as they Joined the dancers.
Hilyer peeped into the conservatory
an hour later. II guess I'll not disturb
that" he muttered and tiptoed away.
On the last day of Dents holiday
Bettlna's maid carried box into her
room.
1t contained delicate purple and
white lilacs tied with royal purple
ribbon strangely decorated. On one
streamer was hand painted shield
of strange device, and another end of
ribbon was tied around small scroll
Of paper.
The girl opened 1t eagerly.
Little Princess eur-de-lis-Alexander
the Great feels another lump in his
throat. He wants to call this afternoon
and ask you that the fieur-de-lis shall be
bound always by the royal ribbons OF his
house.
Later that afternoon Bettina smiled
into his eyes admiringly.
II certainly am glad to marry man
who knows so much" she said, point
ing to the painted ribbon that she
wore in knot on her breast. "Now
1 was so ignorant that / had no idea
how Alexander's coat of arms looked"
Dent drew the curly head over on
his shoulder and laughed.
She asked him why he laughed.
He didn't think it necessary to tell
her that he had paid girl in an art
store to copy the strangest looking
shield he could find in the dictionary.
A lion couchant OF a charger rampant
was all the same to him-he had trust
ed to luck that she would not know the
and he now added touch
Of diplomacy that promised him great
future success as a married man.
"What am l laughing at, little girlf
You might know that man who was
enough to cry for mere
worlds would laugh when he found
heaven"