The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1905-05-25


hair.
''You mean you do not care for me- .
she said.
II do not Think said Paul judicially,
that you can have cared very much
whether loved you or not. When you
married me you knew that was the
promoter of the Charity league; I al
most told you. l told you SO much
that, with your knowledge, you must
have been aware of the fact that was
heavily interested in the undertaking
which you betrayed. You married
me without certain proof Of your hus
bands death, such was your haste to
call yourself a princess. And now
find, on your own confession, that you
have clandestine understanding with
a man who tried to murder me only a
week ago. Is it not rather absurd to
talk of caring?'
He stood looking down at her, cold
and terrible in the white heat of his
suppressed northern anger
The little clock on the mantelpiece
in terrible hurry, licked with all its
might Time was speeding. Every
moment was against her. And she
could think of nothing to say, simply
because those things that she would
have said to others would carry no
weight with this man.
II suppose" she said without looking
at him, ''that you will not believe me
when tell you that hate the man. I
knew nothing Of what you refer to as
happening last week.-Mrs. attempt to
murder you, mean. You are prince
and all powerful in your own province.
Can you not throw him into prison and
keep him there? Such things are done
in Russia. He is more dangerous than
you think. Please do it. Please
Paul looked at her with hard, unre-
sponsive eyes. Lives depended on his
answer.
II did not come here to discuss
Claude de Chauxville," he said, "but
you and our future
Eta drew herself up as one under
the lash and waited with set teeth.
II PROPOSE" he said in a final voice
which made it no proposition at all,
'tthat you go home to England at once
with your cousin. This country is not
safe for you. The house in London
will be at your disposal. will make a
suitable settlement on you, sufficient to
live in accordance with your title and
position. l must ask you to remember
that the name you bear has hitherto
been an unsullied one. We have been
proud of our princesses up to now. In
case Of any trouble reaching you from
outside sources connected with this
country l should like you to remember
that you are under my protection and
that of Steinmetz. Either of us will be
glad at any time to consider any ap-
peal for assistance that you may think
1T to make. You will always be the
Princess Howard Alexis
Eta gave a sudden laugh.
"Oh, yes" she said, and her face was
strangely red, II shall still be the Prin-
cess Alexis"
with sufficient money to keep up
the position" he went on, with, the
cruel irony Of slow spoken man "But
there are certain stipulations which l
must make in self defense. must ask
you to cease all communication of
whatever nature with the Baron de
Chauxville. am not Jealous of him
now. I do not know Why
He paused, as if wondering what the
meaning Of this might be- Eta knew
it. The knowledge was part of her
punishment
But continued her husband, ~ am
not going to sacrifice the name my
mother bore to the vanity Of French
coxcomb. You will be kind enough to
avoid all society where it is likely that
you should meet him. If you disre-
gard my desires in this matter shall
be compelled to take means to enforce
them
"What means?''
II shall reduce your allowance
Their eyes met, and perhaps that
was the bitterest moment in Etta's
life. Dead things are better put out
OF sight at once. Eta felt that Paups
dead love would grin at her in every
sovereign Of the allowance which was
to be hers. She would never get away
from it. She could never shake OF its
memory.
IAN l to live alone?'' asked Eta,
suddenly finding her voice.
THAT is as you like" answered Paul,
perhaps purposely misunderstanding
her. You are at liberty to have any
friend or companion you wish. Per
haps-your cousin
"Maggie?"
YES" answered Paul. For the first
time since he had entered the room his
eyes were averted from Etta's face.
"She would not live with me-" said
the princess CURLY.
you need not tell the circumstances
which have given rise to this arrange
ment.''
Eta shrugged her shoulders.
That" went on Paul, rests entire
" with yourself. You may be sure
that will tell no one am not likely
ITO discuss it with any one whomso.