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

suppose it's possible De 'JolidOn can be
in love with Nine. Nova Kovitch as
well as with Nine. PopofT
'Td-Td 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 owu
wite's fan, Where ignorance is bliss
why read up on divorce laws?"
Laying the fan on 4 nearby table,
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 bewitchngly pretty in
the black and gold Marsovian dress
that showed to fullest advantage every
willowy line of her figure
I'm not retreating," he conHadicted,
"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" be replied bluntly, be
cause I'm making it my business to
get rid Of every Frenchman who shows
signs Of proposing to YOU"
Put 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
o. wi5tfulness 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
marry?"
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"
'sThis man is different. He loves me-"
Then marry him. What is it to me?
Marry any one you want to. l don't
care. And I'll dance at your wedding
1 I'll dance till | wear holes through
! both my Shoes
You silly boy" she scoffed. You're
/ jealousr'
"JealOus?" be ragged. Jealous? l
jealous? That's a good One!'
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-
I lecture.
The neglected fan lying on the table
caught SOnia's eye. She picked it up
idly and opened it. The words Il love
you" met her gaze. Quickly she glanced
at DanilO.
Il understand" she murmured to
herself. lie vowed he'd never say it
TO me. so he's written it,"
Noting that DanilO's back was to-
ward her, she furtively lifted the fan
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 shalI"'
She crossed to where he stood.
"Have you nothing 10 say to me
prince?' she asked.
"Only one thing gOodbyw
! "GoodbyH she echoed. You're
you're not going?"
Il leave Paris tomorrow morning
by the first train-forevcr"
"Then you won't be here, after all. to
dance at my wedding?"
mo-
But you promised. And now, I sup
pose, l shall never see you again. for
when I'm married shall live in Paris. -
Il thought you were more patriotic -
he sighed. 1T seems hard that you
should turn your back on your native
land, marry a Frenchman and settle
here"
"Yet it is what l 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
It you are going TO marry?"
''The engagement isn't announced
yet" she evaded.
Then" be returned, with a shrug
II suppose 1 shall never know, for
leave early tomorrow"
And you won't dance at my wed
ding?"
I've told you would not"
IF you won't" she cried, a suddeI
inspiration flashing through her mine
and lighting her pale face to dazzlinI
beauty, dance with me noww
She stretched out her slender whit,
arms with an allurement that no NOR