Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-05-08
COVERED WITH TEARS.

But let your highness remember this: he loved me before he loved you. and he will love me afterwards; and though he wed you with every cere- mony, and all the blessings of the church, yet, in the eye of God, 1t is l who shall be his wife"
 She ceased, and again the two wom- en gazed silently at one another, as though each sought to read the oth- CTS thoughts. This time 1t was the Princess who broke the silence.
 "Yes, if marry him." she stam- mered; and the actress saw her chance and changed her tone. If you marry him?" she echoed. quickly. "Then it is not certain Then there is still room for me to hope? Be merciful, Princess. As you are strong, be merciful Let me kneel to you, and beg you. and implore you to give me back my lover
 And sne suited the action to the word, and fell upon her knees. and seized the Princess hand, and covered it with tears and kisses.
 Rise, rise, mademoiselle. It pains me that you should kneel to me" said the Princess. and the actress stood up and played her final card.
 You think he does not love me You think it is who am foolishly in fatuated? Then read this-this letter that came to me from him this very morning. Read 1t, and If you can truthfully tell me that he has ever written you letter such as that, then | will confess that he has played m false"
 She plucked the letter from hel bosom, pressed her lips to 1t. anc placed 1t fin the Princess hands. The Princess took it from her and. stand ing near the window. read it through with scalding tears coursing down hel cheeks.
 sweetheart" it began, though know that I am to see you soon. shall write to you every day. Ant yet have nothing to tell you excep ! that I think of you always while wake. and dream of you always wher sleep. and that every hour that spend with you seems but minute and that every hour that I spend ava, from you seems an age. Oh! how love you. and how love to think tha your love is equal 10 my own"
 There were several pages of pas sionate words. The Princess nevei had known before that real love let ters existed outside the story books.
 Princess" said the actress. pres ently. in a soft and supplicating voice Princess. will you not give me bacl my loyer7"
 "He is not mine to give" said th' Princess. choking back the threaten ing sobs. He is yours: he has beer always yours"
 The actress knelt to kiss her hand in gratitude and the Princess contin ued:
 Yours is real love. such love ss have never known. but hope to knov some day. No act of mine shall hin der such a love as that. Keep hin and be happy. ! shall write to hin and tell him that bis duty is to mzk' you happy. GOod-by. Perhaps yo' can guess nov why I came to se' you.r
 And. with that. she stopped sns kissed the actress on the cheek.
 And the Princess kept her word.
 T shall not marry you she wrote T do not wish it. and yoa Ia you heart of hearts wish it even less Your duty Is to another. and by ma, rying her you uiIl sin frester happi ness thsn 1 esn ever sive yoa--
 That vas her last word to hin. ba when Europe vas scandsiized by th' nsss of the quiet vedtins in the as tie viIlase on the Riviera she sent | wetdfrr present to the bride. 10 uror,