The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1908-12-30

by 0 O'Clock and waited only for the
princes letter. He was returning from
the stables. shifting the morning air
with a most vivid enjoyment OF the
change Of weather, when he saw SO
ply coming along the road. she had
been for a walk. Her eyes and cheeks
glowed with exhilaratlon. She wore
her sheepskin tunic her sheepskin cap
with its red cockade and her short
blue skirt over high boots. She walked
as though on the clouds Of heaven, a
wonderful llghtness in her tread. The
red star signaled the eXaltation Of her
spirit The glad sound OF the trumpet
rang in her heart
Her cordial greeting 10 Markart was
spiced with raiilery. 70 which he re.
sponded as well as his ignorance al
! lowed lie was uncertain how much
she knew Of the real situation. But h
his tongue was embarrassed his eyes
spoke freely. lie could not keep them
from her face. To him she seemed .
queen of life and JOY that glorious
morning.
You've recovered from your frlghti
she asked. Poor M. Zerkovitch Is siill
sleeping his on | suppose. Oh. the
lstory's all over the castle.'
It'll be all over the country soon
said Markart. with n rueful smile.
swell. after all. NJ. Zerkovitch Il a
Journalist. and journalists don't spare
even themselves. you know. And
you're not reticent person, are you?
Don't you remember all the informa
ton you gave me onceT"
"Ah. on the terrace Of the Hotel de
Paris Much has happened since then.
| baroness"
Much always happens If you keep
your eyes open" said Sophy.
/ III you keep yours open nothing hap
pens for me but looking at them"
She laughed merrly. 4 compliment
never displeased sophy. and she could
bear Il very downright
but II were to shut my eyes. what
would you do then?'
He looked douhtfully at her hooking
face. She meant little more than the
idle words naturally carried.
Il don't think youll give me the
chance OF considering. baroness" He
indicated her costume with a gesture
Of his hand. you've entered the serv-
fee. see"
Eyes. Captain AIarkart. the kings
service. We are brethren. You serve
him too?"
Il have that honor" Markart flush
ed under her laughing scrutiny.
Eve fight shoulder 20 shoulder. then.
Well not quite. I'm gunner. you
see"
minus your guns AZ present.
'Not for longl" She turned round
and swept her arms ont toward the
lake and the hills. IT'S n day 10 think
OF nothing Just 10 go riding. riding.
ridingr Her laugh rang out In merry
longing.
"What prevents Your
"My military duties perhaps. cap
tain" she answered. You're lucky.
You have a long ride. Don't spoil II by
thinking
Il think? Oh. no. baroness! only
obey my orders"
"And they never make you think
Her glance was quick at him for an In
slant
''There's danger in thinking too
much. even for ladies'" he told her.
She looked at him more grayely. for
his eyes were on her now. with kind
~. perhaps o remorseful. look.
You mean that for meT' she asked.
but ~ |. too. only obey my ordersF"
with all my heart I hope they may
lead you into no danger" he said.
There's only one danger I'm all the
world losing what you love"
"Not sometimes gaining itY' he ask
I'd quickly.
"still. the only danger would be OF
losing II again"
There's life. too" he remarked, with
a shrug.
"sir, we're soldlersw she cried Gin
merry reproof.
THAT doesn't prevent me from priz-
ing your life. baroness. In the interests
OF a world not too rich in what you
contribute to H."
Sophy looked at him. n subtle NOR
riment I'm her eyes. II think. Captain
Markart, that IL you were my doctor
you'd advise me TO try change Of air.
Praslok is too exciting is that It; But
! found slavna-weIl, far from relax
Ing. you known
The Kravonian climate as a whole.
baroness
"Oh, no, no; that's too much" she
interrupted. Then she said: Its very
kind OF you-yes, mean that-and it's
probably-I don't know-but probably
against your orders. SO thapk you.
But | can face even the rigors Of kra-
yonia."
She held out her hand. lie bent and
kissed It, I'm fact. | hadn't the least
right TO say IT," he confessed. Not the
least from any point Of view. It's your
fault. though. baroness"
"Since I'm party to the crime I'll
keep the secret" she promised. with q
decidedly kindly glance. To Sophy ad-
miration of herself always argued
something good in man. She had
none OF that ungraclous scorn which
often dlsfigures the smile OF beauty.
She gave little sigh, followed quickly
by a smile.