Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-06-27


written L love you on one of the
sticks. He was going home to beat his
wife and make her confess who the
villain was when persuaded my wife
to save poor Nine. Nova Kovitch by
pretending the fan was her own. All,
but my wife is a born diplomatist!
Nova Kovitch was convinced. and !
pocketed the fan for future reference"
Danilo took the trinket from Popof's
hands and read the penciled inscrip-
ton.
why" he said on impulse. this is
De Jolidon's handwriting! How does II
happen that he"-
Then" squealed Popoff In triumph,
at is Nine. Nova Kovitch he loves.
The whole thing is absurdly simple
when a brain like mine is brought to
bear on itv'
Delighted with his own astuteness,
the ambassador battered of to join the
other guests, leaving Danilo, fan in
hand, hlankly facing the astounded lit
tie clerk.
"Nish," observed the prince, do you
suppose it's possible De Jolidon can be
in love with Nine. Nova Kovitch as
we'll as with Nine. Popoff"
'I'd-I'd like to think So" murmured
Nish as he started faithfully off in the
wake of his chief. "I'd like to think so.
lit would make it less exclusive,
less of a monopoly. And to think his
excellency never recognized his own
wife's fan! Where ignorance is bliss
why read up on divorce laws"
Laying the fan on a nearby table,
Danilo was turning away when voice
behind him called mockingly:
"Still in retreat? So you are afraid
Of mev'
Whirling about, the prince faced
Sonia. She was bewitchingly pretty in
the black and gold Marsovian dress
that showed to fullest advantage every
willowy line of her figure.
I'm not retreating," he contradicted,
'only skirmishing in light cavalry
fashion"
"And you are going away like that?
Oh, you stupid man."
81 can't tell what you mean" he an
SWSr6U, puZZIeu.
"And shan't tell what mean," she
rejoined. "By the way she added,
''how do you happen to be here? You
declined my invitation
I'm here" he replied bluntly, ''be-
cause I'm making it my business to
get rid Of every Frenchman who shows
signs of proposing to you"
But why?" she asked in wonder.
For my own amusement; that's all. :"
"You-you don't happen to be in love
with me yourself?" she asked, tinge
of usefulness in the light mockery of
her tone.
"Certainly not" he retorted. with
suspicious promptitude.
You're very, very rude!" she re-
proved. But since you don't love me
you ought to be able to give me good
advice about accepting a man l really
want to marry"
"Ohw growled Danilo, chagrined.
"Then there is some one you want TO
marryT
She nodded.
whoever the man is, he's after
your money" he sneered.
NO." she contradicted. "He is not
not this one"
You said all men were alike"
This man is different He loves me-"
'Then marry him! What is it to me?
Marry any one you want to. / don't
care. And I'll dance at your wedding
I'll dance till / wear holes through
both my shoes"
"You silly boyw she scoffed. you're
jealousY'
"Jealous?" he ragged. Jealous?
jealous? That's a good oney
Words failed him, and he stalked
away to a nearby summer house,
where he paused, lost in seeming con-
temptation of the little buildings archi-
lecture
The neglected fan lying on the table
caught Sonia's eye. She picked it up
idly and opened it. The words II love
you" met her gaze. Quickly she glanced
at Danilo.
"I understand" she murmured to
herself. "Ee vowed he'd never say it
to me, so her written it."
Noting that Danilo's back was to-
WarQ nef, she IurIlVeIy lllIeU TIE Ian
to her lips and kissed the written
words. Then as she restored it to the
| table she whispered:
"Just the same, I'll make him say
/ it. He shallw
She crossed to where he stood.
"Have you nothing to say to me,
| prince?' she asked
"Only one thing-goodby"
"Goodbyr' she echoed. You're
you're not going"
81 leave Paris tomorrow morning
| by the first train-foreverw
"Then you won't be here, after all, to
dance at my wedding?"
"No."
"But you promised. And now, sup
pose, l shall never see you again, for
when I'm married shall live in Paris. y
81 thought you were more patriotic"
he sighed. ut seems hard that you
TO