The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1908-07-15


he were trying 10 borrow money Now
he's bending across and kissing her
hand, and she doesn't seem To mind.
lt's-why, bless my soul, it's that fell
low De Jolidon? Well. well! OF all
things! Now. II only the lady would
turn her face so could see her.
Come away. SIR begged Danilo.
the whole situation bursting upon his
mind. He caught Popoff's sleeve. but
the ambassador shook him off.
Let me alone.' he whispered Cant
you see what 1t all means? 1t means
we've found the lady De Jolidon's in
love with. the very woman we've
both been looking for! And now IL
she'll just turn her head little I'll be
able TO see her face, and them
"Then you don't know who she Isl"
queried Danilo.
NO But Flr'-
"Then take my advice and don't try
to find out. Let well enough alone,
Come away. old chap, and
NO no! There; you pulled my head
away Just as she was turning around.
I'd have seen her In another second.
They're getting up. Maybe they'll go
out by the other door, and then shan't
be able to know Who
Let me do the looking" suggested
Danilo. IF either of us has TO play
the eayesdropper PIP
No. 1t is my place." asserted Pop
Off. But I'll bet you hundred francs
it's Nine Nova Kovitch."
ut would be like stealing drunken
mans watch. | won't take the bet.
Come away, sir and let the matter
drop where it Is For your own hap
plness
But Popoff was once more at the key
hole
They're standing up to go" he re-
ported. Now she's beginning to face
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 chair, he
collapsed and buried his face in his
hands.
mo, no! 1t can't be! 1t can't" he
moaned "And yet l could hardly DE
mistaken. My wife! And
Brace up, your excelleney!" entreat-
ed Danilo In genuine distress. Pull
yourself together. There are people
coming along the walk. Don't make II
scene. Perhaps you were mistaken"
NO; l saw her" groaned Popoff.
MY own wife and De Jolidon! And
he kissed her hand"
"Oh, / dare say she was more kissed
against than kissing" Danilo observed
consolingly But be careful. sir. A
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.
I'm denounce her before them all!
Come out Of there" he beloved. rush
ing forward, both of you! Come out!'
He threw the summer house door
wide open and shrank back. incredu-
lous, aghast.
On the threshold stood DE Jolidon
and-Sonia!
what what does this mean," CUR
gled the confused ambassador. this
this change and
you called TO US to come out, re-
turned Sonia calmly. May ask
what you wanted of US:
"Soniag' 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 In
there with NJ. de Jolidon," stammered
Popoff, where is my Wife
Here l 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 enough" cried her husband.
II could have sworn | saw you sitting
In that arbor with NJ de Jolidon."
MY DEAR
Natalie's exclamation was Il 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 Popor
FASTENED to throw his arm about her
and draw her back.
II was wrong" he assured her-"a
blunder OF eyeslght, | apologize! I'm
sorry. p
Il begin to understand" put In Sonia,
stepping forward In fear lest Natalie
overdo her pose of virtuous indigna-
ton. at seems that the Marsovian
ambassador has done me the honor to
listen at a keyhole in hopes Of over
hearing my conversation. Sooner than
dlsappoint him, NJ. de Jolidon, will you
please repeat to him just what you
said to me in thereY
DE Jolidon understood If Natalie
was to be saved, IL Sonia was not to
be talked about, heroic measures were
necessary.
Il asked Nine. Sonia Sadowa," said
he, ito do me the honor to become my
wife,
Danilo stood motionless his lips set
In white line, amid the buzz OF con-
gratulations and laughter that followed
De Jolidon's announcement Sonia
noted his agony and said joyfuuy to
herself:
"My prince, l think I've won. You'll
have to speak, soon or late now. and
when you do
"And Marsovla loses the twenty mil
lionsw Popoff muttered, recovering his
self possession and somewhat belated-
ly remembering his country's needs.
prince" called Sonia mischievous-
ly, Il haven't heard your congratula-
tons yet. You don't look as happy as
you might at the news
Happy" echoed Danilo, with a
scornful, mirthless laugh. why
shouldn't I be? Accept my congratu-
lations, my paternal blessing and any
thing else you choose to levy on me
for. My own motto is, Love when you
may, propose seldom and marry not
at allv