Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1904-07-22
CHAPTER VIII.
THE GOVERNORS BALL.

SuclI MILITARY music. GOWNS tnaL came
from Paris swept the ballroom floor as
the stately danes who wore them
walked with Persians and Turks of
high degree. Laughter, conversation,
introductions ard presentations made
a perfectly harmonious bedlam.
But there was one at the ball who
listened to the words Of welcome he
received, while his eyes noted the ap-
pearance Of one he sought.
Twill she never Gomez" he asked
himself. "Or does she hate me so that
she will brave her uncle's wrath rather
than meet mel"
Colonel Jurnieff and Mile. Alma"
he heard some one say. He turned to
look. He stood spellbound. He had not
imagined, although he knew her well,
that such being could exist as enter
ed the door at that moment. BY the
side of the grim faced colonel walked
q vision from some other land, it SEEM
ed. Never had anything like it been
seen ut governors ball in Tifiis. AL
mas costume was combination of
Paris and the Caucasus-the daintiest
lace and the costliest silks. Pearls
adorned her snowy neck Her little
feet were clad in dainty shoes of white
doeskin. Her white arms We're round
and full, her shoulders perfect. The
white fan she carried seemed to watt
mystic thrall upon all she passed.
Her voice was silvery in its music. She
was the gayest of them all.
"Can 1t be that that lovely creature
has at last consented to be my wife?"
said the prince to himself.
prince Dellnikoff, you know my
niece, Alma JurnieffW
The prince bowed low. Alma extend
ed her hand graciously.
II know the prince very WE'LL" she
said, but since have been enjoying
my visit at Tiflis he has been quite a
stranger"
II did not-I did not know
Il congratulate you, prince, upon
your appointment. My father wrote
about it."
what woman is this?" asked the
colonel as he moved away, leaving her
with Dellnikonf. "She is riddle. l
cannot solve her. But she loves him.
can see love in her very eyes,"
She placed her hand on the princes
arm. and they joined the throng. Turk
ash pashas saw her and blinked their
eyes as they thought of their own fad
ed beauties in their harems; Persian
princes sought presentation; Chinese
mandarins almost forgot their names
when she spoke to them. She had
come to conquer, and she conquered
She was the queen Of the ball, and
Dellnikoff was the envied of princes.
Mile. Alma will lead the grand march
with the guest of honor" said the gov
ernor.
The band struck up '"The CARR and
princes and generals fell in behind her
Dellnikoff's heart beat with pride as
he felt the warm and living hand OF
the girl upon his arm. The warm per
fume that came from her fan intoxi
Gated him. He, the suave, the blase
the gay one from st. Petersburg, was
like boy at his first party. In the
dance that followed, as he felt his arm
around her waist, a thrill of pleasure
drove the blood quicker through his
heart. After the dance he led her tt
the conservatory.
you have changed" he said as his
eyes devoured her. ''As you grow
more beautiful you grow more gra
cious. A year ago you spurned me-
almost"
"Almost! she answered, with a co
Quettish laugh that sent the blood tt
his head. Are you SO weak that al
most drives you from woman's side?'
"But your father" he stammered
HE said you-were in-love with al
American. He sent you here, so h,
told me, to keep you from that fellow
Alma put her fan before her fac,
and laughed "a singularly rollickint
laugh.
"Sent me away to keep me from (
man have seen but few times, /.
man engaged in selling American wind
mills and pumps! Oh, prince, do 70,
think that Titlis, with all its strength
could keep me from the man l love-
If knew where he was to be found n
He bent over her. His hot breatl
on her cheek brought blush to II
She looked up into his face with fas
cinating smile.
lis it possible, tell me-you know
how have loved you-is it possible
that you-have not thought i'll of me?'
A roguish look came into her eyes
and she covered them quickly with he
fan. He tore away the fan.
TELL me!' he said.
Hush! Some one is coming. Let VI
return to the ballroom. Another tim,
we can-talk."
He conducted her back to the ball
room. With reluctance he relinquishet
her to the governor.
What q wonderful success!" sh,
said as they swept past the prince
who was devouring her again with hi
eyes.
II thank you," said the governor. II
was you who made it the success it is
mot /, but the genius Of the govern
or of Tifis," she answered. with |
smile that stirred even his old blood.
What has got into that girl?" aske'
Colonel Jurnieff Of himself as he watch
ed her. II am beginning to think m,
brother was fool In ordering me t
keep her confined. Instead shout,
hAya given balls and paxttss For hi