The indicator., 1904-07-02

Jurnien spent many minutes think
ing. II he could bring about the public
announcement of the betrOthal of his
niece and Dellnikon az the governors S
supper, the girl would not dare refuse
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 suddenlyr'
"Oh, one cannot be very charming
shut up in 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"
Did ever tell you soT'
NO.. but your father wrote me to
that effect"
And so you kept me under surveil-
hnce"
"T - not exactly that. Alma, but /
perhaps misunderstood you and your
fathers directions II have done
anything to make you unhappy during
your visit, trust You will pardon me
and believe 1t was done wi,n an eye
single TO your wcl.a.u"
"You have heca very Kind pre-
sume it was the u.uHer ut Dl.g bohuy-
ior that made you tuiuE WAS mhap-
py; but. to tell tile truth 1 was an
cry"
-Angry. At something / didF'
"You and my father / go, 50 weary
Of the stupid story that ! was in love
with that American That | continued
to act as If / were There comes the
prince Is he not noble in that splen-
did uniform? Had my father not beer
SO cruel-well, there Is no use rehears-
ing that"
But there is. The governor is infat-
uated with you He has pet scheme
for the supper tonight He has watch
ed you and pelluikon, lie says you
are the handsomcst couple in all Rus
sia.'
"Well. we are" said Alma. with a
toss of her head.
by heaven. III wager you thou
sand rubles you are in love with Dell
nikon."
~ viii not bet on so trivial mat
ter"
Trivial Then here is another. I'll
wager you 1000 rublcs you dare not
let the governor announce your be-
trothal to the prince at the supper"
My betrothHl. Do you want me to
throw myself at n man? lie has not
asked me to be his wife"
He has asked your father, and it is
your fathers dearest wish"
But | am not commodity. l am
not hay or silk. | am a woman, and a
woman likes to he something besides
the salable goods in n bazaar"
well, think it over. The supper will
not be for an hour"
AS he turned to leave her he signaled
to DellnikOtt that he wanted to speak
privately with him. After dance
Dellnikon joined ,Iurnleff in the smok-
Ing room.
my dear prince" said Jurnicf, with
effusiyeness Il am pleased to congrat-
ulate you. After your promotion to
win happiness also! Have YOU gained
your ambitionf'
You are giving me riddles. What
do You mc:uG'
81 was under the impression that you
were in love with my niece"
Il adore her WHO could do other
wiseg"
''The governor is much interested in
your little affair, is l am myself To
tell you the truth my niece is very ca
PRECIOUS. Tomorrow she may be un-
willing TO have anything to do with
you, Tonight she seems to share your
infatuatlon. The governor, as you
know, likes little sensation of pleas
ing kind. He would like the pleas urs
and privilege Of announcing your res
rothal at the supper"
"With all my heart, He may an
nounce 1t n thoUsand times. The ques-
ton rests with the little lady,"
''Go ask her. | wager a hundred ru-
bles you will not find her unwilling.r
To Be Continued)