The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1908-08-21

this way. It's Oh, good Lord!'
The poor old man staggered away
from the door as though struck be-
tween the eyes. Keeling to a chair, he
collapsed and buried his face in his
hands.
''No, no! 1t can't be! 1t can'tw be
moaned. "And yet l could hardly be
mistaken. My wife! And
Brace up, your excellency! entreat-
ed Danilo in genuine distress. Pull
yourself together. There are people
coming along the walk. Don't make a
scene. Perhaps you were mistaken"
NO; l saw her!" groaneG POpOff
MY own wife and De JOlidOn! And
be kissed her hand"
"Oh, l dare say she was more kissed
against than kissing?' Danilo observed
cOnSOlingly. But be careful, sir. \
whole lot of people are within ear
shot"
Then let them know the worst.
cried Popoff in voice that brought a
number of guests hurrying to the spot
III denOunce her before them ali.
Come out of there" be beloved, rush
ing forward. both Of yOul Come out.
lie threw the summer house door
wide open and shrank back, iacredu-
lous, GghaSt.
On the threshold stood De Jolidor
and-Scnia!
"What-what does this mean" CIR
gled the confused ambassador. this
this change and"-
"YCu called to Us to come out" re
turned Sonia calmly. May | ask
what you wanted Of u.s."
sonia gasped DanilO. And through
the confusion of many excited voices
she heard him and thrilled to the note
Of anguish in his half Stihed cry.
Tiff it was you who were il
there with NJ. de Jolidon," stammered
Popoff, where is my wife,
Here / am. dear" answered Natalie
stepping out of the crowd, with which
she had mingled after her hurried exit
through the rear door of the summer
house. Here / am! What is the mat.
tery''
Matter enOughr cried her husband
Il could have sworn l saw you sitting
in that arbOr with NJ. de JOlidon."
my dear
Natalie's exclamation was a triumph
Of shocked propriety.
"He was kissing your hand,
thought" went on the dazed ambassa-
dor
This time Natalie moved away from
him in offended dignity. But POpofl
FASTENED 10 throw his arm about bet
and draw her back.
Il was wrong" be assured hers
blunder OF eyesight! l apologize! In
sorry. r.
II begin TO understand" put in Sonia
stepping forward in fear lest Natalie
overdo her pose OF virtuOus indigna
ton. 1T seems that the MarSOviaI
ambassador has done me the honor Il
listen at a keyhOle in hopes Of over
hearing my conversation. Sooner thar
dlsappoint him. NJ. de JOlidOn, will yOU
please repeat to him just what yo,
said to me In there"
De JOlidOn understood. If Natal,
was TO be saved, if Sonia was not p,
be talked about. heroic measures wer,
necessary.
81 asked Nine. Sonia Sadowa." saiC
he, ''to do me the honor to become m!
wifer'
Danilo stood motionless, his lips Sc
IN a white line, amid the buzz of con
CALCULATIONS and laughter that followed
De Jolidon's announcement SOni:
noted his agony and said jOyfully t
| herself:
MY prince, think I've won. You'll
have TO speak, soon or late, now, an,
when you do
"And MarSOvia loses the twenty mil
! lionsr' POpoff muttered, recovering hi
self possession and somewhat belated
ly remembering his country's needs.
Prince" called Sonia mischievous
ly, Il haven't heard your congratula
lions yet. You don't look as happy a
you might at the news"
Happy echoed Danilo, with
scornfuI. mirthless laugh "Wh,
| bnOutOAu DCs ACCcpl Ivy COuSIdIu
lations, my paternal blessing and any
thing else you choose to levy on ~
for. Ny own motto is, Love when yO
may. propose seldom and marry-no
at ali.
Let me tell you a little fairy story
There were once a prince and a priu
cess They loved each other. But tn
prince was poor and dared not tell O
his love for fear Of being thought
fortune hunter His silence made tn
princess angry. So she went and prom
ised her hand to another man, an
they all lived miserably unhappy eve
after And the moral of that Stupi
little story is that I'm sick Of respect
ability. and I'm awake from my Graz
dream Of love, and I'm going back t
Maxim's. and you can all go tO-AIaI
Eoviar'
He loves me- He loves mew pante
Sonia under her breath
ITO BE Continued