Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-06-28

ldCe anu Tue COStileSL SILKS. IedIlS
adorned her snowy neck. Her little
feet were clad in dainty shoes of white
doesllin. Her white arms were 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 it 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 Jurnieff?''
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
II congratulate you, prince, upon
your appointment. My father wrote
about it,"
What woman is thisY asked the
colonel as he moved away, leaving her
with Dellnikoff. "She is a riddle. I
cannot solve her. But she loves him.
l can see love in her very eyes"
She placed her 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 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.
Dellnikotf'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, thrill of pleasure
drove the blood quicker through his
heart. After the dance he led her to
the conservatory.
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.
qucttish laugh that sent the blood to
his head. Are you so weak that al
most drives you from a woman's side?'
But your father" he stammered.
''He said you-were in-love with an
American. lie sent you here, so he
told me, to keep you from that fellow"
Alma put her fan before her face
and laughed "a singularly rollicking
laugh.
Sent me away to keep me from a
man have seen but few times, a
man engas ed in selling American wind
mills ard pumps! Oh, prince, do you
think that Tiflis, with all Its strength,
could keep me from the man loved
If knew where he was to be found"'
8e bert over her. His hot breath
on her cheek brought blush to it.
She looked up into his face with fas-
cinating smile.
us it possible, tell me-you know
how I have loved you--is it possible
that you-have not thought i'll of me?"
A rcguish look came into her eyes,
ard she covered them quickly with her
fan. Hc tore away the fan.
're!l me!' he said.
Hush! Some one is coming. Let us
return to the ballroom. Another time
ne can-talk."
He conducted her back to the ball
room. With reluctance he relinquished
her to the governor.
What q wonderful SUGGEST she
sad as they swept past the prince,
who vas deyourinG her again with his
eyes.
Il thank ycu," said the governor. at
was yo,l who made it the success it is"
Not |. Dct TIE genius Of the govern
or o. Tits" gke answered, with n
smile thst stirred even his old blood.
What has got into that girl?" asked
Colonel JurnicG OF himself as he watch
ed her. 81 an beginning to think my
brother was . fool in ordering me to
Keep her confined. Instead I should
have given balls and parties for her.
Ny course is piain now that the prince
has her won. All need do is to take
the credit and win promotion"
Alma danced with her uncle During
the waltz he fell victim to her
charms.
Am I dolt? Has she turned my
head, 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 to
Sit in the conservatory"
Would your glancing at him arch
~. ~ wonder if could guess why"
Could you guess why! II mJ man
ner does not tell you why, shall 1 per-
nit my tongue to tell? Because love
you. I loved you before, Alma, but
never as l do tonight. thought you
rod f,;a