The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1908-08-07


in love with Nine. Nova Kovitch as
well as with Nine Popoff?'
''Pd-Pd 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 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,
I DanilO was turning away when a voice
/ behind him called mOckingly:
still in retreat? So you are afraid
Of me"'
Whirling about, the prince faced
Sonia. She was bewitchingly pretty in
the black and gold MarsOvian dress
that showed to fullest advantage every
wiIlowy 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.
Il can't tell what you mean" he an
swered, puzzled
And l 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 al"
"You-yOu don't happen to be in love
with me yourself?" she asked, a tinge
OF wiStfulness 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 | really
want to marry"
"Oh? grOwled Danilo chagrined.
Then there is some one you want TO
marry?"
She nodded.
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. I don't
care. And I'll dance at your wedding
Il
both my Shoes"
You silly boy"' she scoffed. You're
jealOusr'
"JealOus?" he ragged. Jealous? I
jealous? That's a good onev'
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 I'D
idly and opened it, The words Il love
you" met her gaze. Quickly she glanced
at DanilO.
81 understand" she murmured to
herself. lie vowed he'd never say it
to me. so he's written it."
Noting that DanilOs back was to-
ward her, she furtively lifted the fan
10 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 shallr
She crossed to where he stood.
"Have you nothing TO say to me,
princeE she asked.
only one thing-goOdbyw
"GOodby" she echoed. You're
you're not gOing?"
81 leave Paris tomorrow morning
by the first train-forever!'
"Then you won't be here. after all. to
dance at my wedding?"
NO"
But you promised. And now, I sup |
pose, l shall never see you again, for
when I'm married l shall live in Paris" !
Il thought you were more patriotic"
he sighed. TT seems hard that Won
should turn your back on your native
land, marry a Frenchman and settle
here"
"Yet it is what 1 have decided" she
answered. "This is probably the last
time shall wear our native costume
or dance our wild national dances. To
days fete is a sort of farewell to old
times"
mo; our dances and costumes would
not appeal to a Frenchman. Who is
1t you are going to marry?"
The engagement isn't announced |
yet" she evaded.
''Then," he returned, with a shrug
Il suppose 1 shall never know, for
leave early tomorrow"
And you won't dance at my wed
dingg
I've told you 1 would not"
II you won't" she cried, a sudden
inspiration flashing through her mind
and lighting her pale face TO dazzling
beauty, dance with me nowp'
She stretched out her slender white s
arms with an allurement that no NOR !
tai man could resist. !