The Yale expositor. (Yale, St. Clair County, Mich.) 1894-current, 1908-06-05

II is hard to think OF myself as the
little Marsovian peasant maid to whom
the dashing cavalry officer, Prince
Danilo was once engaged ard whom
mis- rich old uncle at the last moment
forbade to marry becauce Of her pow
erty How differently that same rich
old uncle would look on the match to-
day Twenty millions is a pretty
d0wry."
AT least II seems you didn't break
your heart over losing me-" sncered
Danilo.
"No; my plebelan heart stood the
shock eXcellently. | soon found con-
solation--an elderly husband who lived
Just one week after the wedding and
left me all his wealth"
'Yes; heard how your father forced
you into the match. Next time you
can choose a husband to suit your
self"
"Why should marry again? am
rich, free. | have everything"
"Includng loveT' he asked, his eyes
ievourlng her fragile beauty.
81 don't believe I'm love" scoffed
Sonia. "All men are alike. Dozens Of
them are after my money and make
owe to me because they can't get 1t
without me-"
"Men are not all fortune hunters"
he denied holly. 81 for one
$50 they all say. Each says Il love
Tour Each means my fortune"
"They do?" cried DHnilo, in rage at
The strong insinuatlon. "Well. here's
Dne that doesn't. for one shall never
say to you, 4 love you"
| A strange smile stole across her face.
She came very close to where he stood
10 close that the faint perfume of her
hair was sweet in his nostrls; so close
| hat her breath was warm upon his
! Ups; so close that his bewildered soul
struggled in vain to hide from the glory
IN her eyes. Her voice was a musical
whisper as she asked
you'll never say to me Il love your p"
There was an infinity of allurement
In the tempting words. Danilo, with a
mighty effort, shook off the spell and
shouted:
"Never! Never! Neverv'
That's comfortw she said coldly,
drawing away and seeking to veil her
keen disappointment. But" she added
more softly, "why not say It If you
really want tor
'T don't want tor he declared sulki
ly.
"And you promise faithfully you'll
never say to me, 4 love your"
Again she was perilously close &c
him. Again his eyes tore themselves
free from the pleading seductiveness OF
hers as he reiterated:
81 promise! I'm not going to make q
fool of myself or be made u fool Of"
"Is that a declaration of WARP
queried Sonia.
"No-of friendship. Do you NEAR
to say II asked you TO be my wife
you would merely laugh at meT
probably. All men are alike"
"They are not, and in time I'll prove
Ct to you"
Before she could answer the ambas
sador and several of the guests came
into the room. At first opportunit!
Popoff drew Danilo aside.
Prince" said he impressively, "yo'
have now been attached to this lega
ton nearly four months and
Few of my attachments last 81
long" observed Danilo.
"You refer to your love affairs?
have heard of them. They hav
brought you to the brink of ruin. Yo1
IRE almost penniless. Here is my plal
70 save you, also to give you a chanc
to save your country from bankruptcy
l want you to marry"
ITO whatY cried Danilo.
"To marry-beautifu woman, my DO
twenty millions-Mme. Sonia Sadowa
Heyi"
Never returned Danilo, angrily, a
he rose to end the interview.
"Then a Frenchman will marry hel
and her fortune and our country wi
be ruined"
IL won't marry her." repeated Danilt
"and she won't marry me. But for IN
country's sake I'll keep any French
man from marrying her."
"But howT
"You shall see!'