The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1908-07-30

lQcrcuulOuSlS III HtI.
Sonia" he exclaimed. "Sonia"'
Then. recovering himself, he bowed
stifDy and said:
81 beg your pardon, madame"
"No; l beg yours" she replied.
pray 60 on snoring"
you don't remember me?" he asked,
Not in very least" she an
swercd. mo away.
yet you my name.'
"You we, .leep then. That was
different"
"And now am awake-to the joy OF
seeing you again"
The JOY is all your own. Is 1t so
surprising to find me in Paris? | am
here enjoying my wealth-and free
DOM
81 congratulate you on both, especial
ly the freedom"
Eyes. freedom is one of your fads, I
believe" r.~--ked Sonia, especially
freedom , larriage. Do you still
make It of avoiding marriage
Mt the las moment"
Sonia, I are unjust. If it had
rested with m~Su should be my wife
now. not anothel uan's widow"
IF it rested WV you" she MINI
licked. We'll, let ti\whole story rest
now. It's forgotten.
by you, perhaps aver by me-"
"Oh. no. | remember it every now
and then for my own amusement. But
It is hapd to think Of myself as the
little MarSovian pcas9nt maid to whom
the Ga-1ing ca..:!:y officer, Prince
DAM GCc eng :%cl ard whom
h. = at The last moment
forba,., because of her pow
erty. How e. Wy that same rich
old uncle wou!u S-the match to-
day, Twenty NJ. s a pretty
dowry."
"At least it seems you didn't break
your heart over losing me-" sneered
Danilo.
"No; my plebeian 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"
ayes; | heard how your father forced
you into the match. Next time you
can choose a husband to suit your.
self"
why should I marry againf l am
rich. free. I have everything"
Including love%' he asked, his eyes
devouring her fragile beauty.
81 don't believe in love-" scoffed
Sonia. "All men aresalike. Dozens Of
them are after my money and make
love to me because they can't get 1t
without me-"
MEN are not all fortune hunters"
he denied hotly. II for one
$50 they all say. Each says I love
you. Each means my fortune"
"They do?" cried Danilo, in rage at
the strong insinuation. "Well. here's
one that doesn't. for one shall never
say to you. 4 love your"
A strange smile stole across her face.
She came very close to where he stood;
80 close that the faint perfume Of her
hair was sweet in his nostrils; so close
that her breath was ''arm upon his
lips: 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 Y love your"
There was an infinity Of allurement
in the tempting words. Danilo, with a
mighty effort, shook of the spell and
shouted:
"Never! Never. Neverw
THAT'S a comfortw she said cohly,
drawing away and seeking to veil her
keen disappointment. "But," she added
more softly, "why not say it If you
really want to?'
II don't want to-" he declared suiki-
ly.
"And you promise faithfully you'll
never say to me, 4 love your"
Again she was perilously close 10
him. Again his eyes tore themselves
free from the pleading seduetiTeness OF
hers as he reiterated
"I promise! I'm not going to make q
fool Of myself or be made fool Of"
"Is that a declaration OF war9'
queried Sonia.
"No-of friendship. Do you mean
to say If I asked you to be my wife
you would merely laugh at me
Probably. All men are alike
They are not, and in time I'll prove
It to you"
Before she could answer the ambas-
sador and several Of the guests came
into the room. At first opportunity
PopoR drew Danilo aside.
Prince" said he impressiveiy, you
have now been attached to this lesa-
ton nearly four months and
Few of my attachments lest 30
long" observed Dauilo.
"You refer to your love affairs? l
have heard of them. They have
brooght you TO the brink Of ruin You
are almost penniless. Here is my plan
to save you, also to give you chance
49,,