The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1904-08-03

supper, the girl would not dare reIuse
to redeem the pledge. He saw Alma
standing alone for moment and went
to her
'My dear niece" he said in his bland
est manner, you are charming tonight.
How have you changed so suddenly
ooh, one cannot be very charming
shut up in a stupid prison. 1t is happi-
ness that gives one the power to
charm"
"You have captivated everybody,
from the governor down. / thought
you hated the prince"
Ibid 1 ever tell you soT
"No; but your father wrote me to
that effect"
"And so you kept me under surveil-
lance"
81 not exactly that, Alma, but I
perhaps misunderstood you and your
fathers directions. If l have done
anything to make you unhappy during
your visit. trust you will pardon me
and believe il was done with an eye
single TO your welfare"
You have been very kind. l pre-
sumo it was the manner Of my behav-
Tor that made you think was unhap-
py; but to tell the truth, l was an
cry"
ANGRY. At something l did?"
'"You and my father. l got so weary
of the stupid story that was in love
with that American that l continued
to act as if l were. There comes the
prince. Is he not noble in that splen-
did uniform? Had my father not been
so cruel-well, there is no use rehears-
ing that"
"But there is. The governor is infat-
uated with you. He has a pet scheme
for the supper tonight. He has watch
ed you and Dellnikof. He says you
are the handsomest couple in all Rus
STA"
SWELL we are" said Alma, with Z
toss Of her head.
by heaven, I'll wager you a thou.
sand rubles you are in love with Dell
nikoff."
Il will not bet on so trivial a mat
ter"
Trivial Then here is another. I'll
wager you 1000 rubles you dare not
let the governor announce your be-
trothal to the prince at the supper"
"My betrothal! DO you want me to
throw myself at a man? He has not
asked me to be his wife"
'He has asked your father, and it is
your fathers dearest wish"
But | am not a commodity. / am
not hay or silk. l am woman, and a
woman likes to be something besides
the salable goods in a bazaar"
well, think it over. The supper win
not be for an hour"
AS he turned to leave her he signaled
to Dellnikoff that he wanted to speak
privately with him. After a dance
Dellnikoff joined Jurnieff in the smok-
ing room.
my dear prince" said Jurnicff, with
cffusiveness, II am pleased to congrat-
ulate you. After your promotion to
win happiness also! Have YOU gained
your ambitiOnY
You are giving me riddles. What
do you meanT'
81 was under the impression that you
were in love with my niece"
Il adore her. Who could do other
wise?"
"The governor is much interested in |
your little affair, as | am myself. To |
tell you the truth, my niece is very ca |
PRECIOUS. Tomorrow, she may be I'M
willing to have anything to do with |
YOU Tonight she seems to share your
infatuation. The governor, as you
know, likes a little'sensatiOn Of a pleas
ing kind. He would like the pleasure
and privilege of announcing your be-
trothal at the supper"
with all my heart. He may an
nOunce it a thousand times. The ques-
ton rests with the little lady"
go ask her / wager hundred ru-
bles you will not find her unwilling"
Jurnieff turned on his heel and walk
ed away, and Dellnikon. with a fast
beating heart and feverish pulse. sought
Alma.
This waltz?" she asked.
mol could not waltz must speak
with you. Come to the conservatory"
He led her 10 a quiet nook shaded
with palms.
"Alma," he said breathlessly, taking
her hands, Il love you! You know |
love you | have longed for you this
past year, believing that you hated me,
and now to find you do not l am over
joyed. The governor wishes to an
nounce our betrothal. VIII you con-
sent? Oh, my darling one, let us make
you make-this ball the most memo
rable one Tiflis ever had. viii you con-
sentg"
She toyed with her fan.
Il like you, prince. l have been kept
in a prison for year. and now, to find
myself with this freedom, l feel like
a bird let loose. l feel like making up
for all the long days have spent
over things l could not con-
troll. And now the time has come.
cannot resist. want a good lark
real scandalous You do
wild things sometimes"
Perhaps. But is our betrothal at
governors ball not lark enough?"