Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1904-07-14

II know the prince very WELL" she
said, "but since have been enjoying
my visit at Tihis he has been quite a
stranger"
II did no. did not know
IL congratulate you, prince, upon
your appointment. My father wrote
about It,"
what woman is this?" asked the
colonel ns he moved away. leaving her
with DeiniEoff. "She Is a riddle. I
cannot solve her. But she loves him.
I can see love in her very eyes"
She place. hcr hand on the princes
arm. and they joined the throng. Turk
ish pashas saw her and blinked their
eyes as they thought Of their own fad
ed beauties in their harems; Persian
princes sought presentations; 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 envled OF princes.
Mile Alma will lea the grand march
with the guest Of honor" said the gov
ernor.
The band struck up The Carr and
princes and generals fell Ia behind her.
DellnikofYs 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 q boy at his first party. In the
dance that followed q he felt his arm
around her waist n thrill Of pleasure
drove the blood quicker through his
heart After the dance he led her to
the conservatory.
You have changed" he said as his
eyes devoured her. "As you grow
more beautiful you grow more gra-
cious. year ago you spurned mo
almost"
almost" she answered. with q co.
quettish laugh that sent the blood TO
his head. Are You so weak that al
most drives you from woman's sideT'
But your father" he stanmered.
''I1e said you-wcre ir-love with an
American. He sent you here so he
told me, to keep you from that fellow"
Alma put her fan before her face
and laughed "a singularly rolllcking
laugh.
Sent me away to keep me from a
man | have seen but a few times,
man engaged in selling American wind
mills and pumps. Oh, prince, do you
think that 1ihis, with all its strength,
could keep me from the man l loved
if knew where he was to be found?"
He bent over her. His hot breath
on her check brought blush to it.
She looked up into his face with n fas.
cinating smile.
us 1t possible. tell me-you know
how l 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 her
fan. He tore away the fan.
Tell me- he said.
Hush, Some one is coming. Let rs
return TO the ballroom. another time
we can-talk."
lie conducted her back to the ball
room. With reluctance he relinquishcd
her TO the governor.
What wonderful success she
said as they swept past the prince,
WHO vas devouring her again with his
eyes,
Il thank you said the governor 1T
was You who made it the success II is
Not |, but the genius of the govern.
hr of Tinis." she answered, with a
smile that stirred even his Old blood.
"Whut has got into that grl;" asked
Colonel ,turnien OF himself as he watch
ed her Il am beginning TO think my
brother was a fool in ordering me to
keep her confined. Instead | should
have given balls and parties for her.
Nv course is plain now that the prince
has her won. All | need DO is to take
the credit ana win promotion"
Alma danced with her uncle During
the waltz he fell a victim to her
charms.
Am dot? Has she turned my
h"nd, too" he asked himself. -
He took her back to the prince, who
was Jealous even of the uncle.
The next waltz is mine" he said.
but If you are tired | would prefer 10
sit in the conservatory"
Would you" CHANGING at him arch
~. II wonder If could guess why"
Gould you guess why. II my man
Aer does not tell you why. shall l per-
init my tongue to tell? Because | love
you. loved you before. Alma, bu,
never as do tonight, l thought you
hated me. l thought you loved that
American"
Get ME some wine, prince"
He fetched the wine himself.
For the first time from my hand
You never accepted anything from ma
before"
Then enjoy the honor" she answer.
ed, laughing. Il may exact more be-
fore the night is over"
Anything! swear it. Tonight you
are welcome to my life. to my honor.
to my allegiance to the ear. only love
me-"
He bent and kissed her She drank
the wine and patted his arm
Prince. you are gay cavalier. ono
could scarcely know you in st. Peters
burg. where there Were so many wom-
en- more beautiful than l. But hers
one learns that you are bold and
wicked man, Don't dare kiss NE
again"
II will the very next time get