The Washington herald., 1908-01-05

You know he couldn't. don't you.
IoIanthe"
No 7 don't know anything about it,"
she said a bit GROSSLY. But Iolantne
never could stay cross long enough &c
make It pay. so In a moment she was
| talking merrily again.
Presently we reached the spot we were
bound fora spot of sun and shade, and
running water, and new spring flowers.
We ate our "scrumptieus lunch and
then We sang and talked and had long
spells Of social silence; and all the while
/ was wondering how I should make her
say yes If at first she happened to say
no.
Il am going 10 tell you a pretty story"
she remarked, after one Of these silences.
| It's true one too. I am invited, and
so are you. and you'll go, won't you?"
"Oh, sure" I answered recklessly.
''Where?'
a reception tomorrow evening to meet
the richest girl you ever saw. She has
so much money she doesn't know what
tC do with ii ALL but folks have Just
found IT out. She has pretended to be
poor for reasons. We're both going. be-
cause you said you would"
u would do anything. or go anywhere
to please you. little girl" I answered,
with so much meaning that Iolanthe
flushed and her dear eyes vavered be-
fore my gaze. I don't know quite how
it happened, but suddenly 1 had my
dream IN my arms-my unTesisting, per-
feet, red-liped 1ream-and I was quite
mad with delight.
Then presently she cried out that I
must never let anything come between
US.
Nor height, nor depth, nor any other
| creature" I said reverently
Nor any other creature" she repeated
after me. and made me say II every little
while all the rest Of that wonderful day.
and did not tell her about my fortune
after all. though I had intended to-
When you come 10 think of II money is
a sordid thing 10 discuss when two folks
are quaff1ng nectar and nibbling am
brosia.
The next evening went 20 the recep-
tion. and was presented to the lady Of
riches 1t seemed to me that all the
room hushed its breath, and waited while
we two went through what was required
Of US. It seemed TO me that I lived an
con before We were free from the great
Eye Of the room, and in come place where
there were a splash of water, and quiet.
and heavy perfume of flowers. There in
the dim light she stood, slender as an
English laburnum tree. sWaying IN her
yellow silken robes toward me. Her
hands, weighted with Jewels, were held
out to- me; her mouth that l had kissed
was smiling at me-was saying
Nor any other creature!'
I stood there staring at this wonderful
new Iolanthe. and all 1 could think of
and all I said was
''Bare-fOOted came the beggar maid
Before the King Cophetua,'
Which considering the circumstances,
could hardly have been more absurd,
Iolanthe's laugh rang out, then she
came closer TO me. and her eyes grew
very grave.
Dearest" she whispered, Il was too
rich to be happy. and so ran away from
everybody, and went to work in the
studio. I wanted to accomplish some
thing. I wanted folks to say, She is a
great painter. not She is the richest girl
in the country. Then I found you, and
and-I didn't care any more for fame
because I wanted something greater. love
your love; and-yOu said Nor any other
creature you know you did,
And meant it, too, my angelr' | ex-
claimed, coming out Of my trance, and
taking her hands in mine. You shall
give me all the money you think I need.
and will sit on the throne with you ike
good little man.
7 am so glad you are going to be SEN
sible"' she said fervently
And then I had to explain to her why
I was laughing
lcprlsht. isg. b. G Z. suteinsl