Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-06-09
6he Merry Widow
BY ALBERT PAyS0N TERHUNE
FRIGHT, leosB
- COPYRIGHT. zoos. BY HENRY W. SAVAGE /.
ri PAySON TERHU.NE

At sound of his name the prince sat
up, dazed and blinking. His wander
ing eyes fell on the woman, and, with
an exclamation Of utter Amusement, he
stumbled to his feet and stood staring
incredulously at her.
"Soniaw he exclaimed. "SOnia"
Then, recovering himself, he bowed
stiff1y and said:
Il beg your pardon, madame
NO; l beg yours" she replied.
"Pray go on snoring"
surprised.
"Not in the very least" she an
swered. moving away.
Yet you called my name"
"You We're asleep then. That was
different
E"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? l am
here enjoying my wealth-and free
DOM
Il congratulate you on both, especial
~ the freedom"
Eyes, freedom is one of your fads. I
believe" remarked Sonia, especially
freedom from marriage. Do you still
make a habit of avoiding marriage
at the last mOment?"
"Sonia, you are unjust. If 1t had
rested with me you should be my wife
now. not another mans widow"
IF it rested with you?" she MINI
licked. well, let the whole story res.
now. It's forgotten"
by you, perhaps-never by me-"
"Oh. no! l remember 1t every now
and then for my own amusement. But
it is hard to think of myself as the
little Marsovian peasant maid to whom
the dashing cavalry officer, Prince
Danilo, was once engaged and whom
his rich old uncle at the last moment
forbade to marry because of her pow
erty. How differently that same rich
old uncle would look on the match to-
day, Twenty millions is 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. I 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 husband to suit your
SELF. "'a-'f1o 10 tci a os'e sn-' '"" -
why should marry againa I am
rich. free. / have everything"
Including lover he asked, his eyes
devouring her fragile beauty.
Il don't believe in love-" scoffed
Sonia. '.All men are alike. Dozens OF
them are after my money and make
love to me because they can't get II
without me-"
Men are not all fortune hunters
he denied holly. II for one
$50 they all say. Each says I love
you" Each means my fortune"
''They do?" cried Danilo, in rage a.
the strong insinuation. well. here's
one that doesn't. l 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
| SO close that the faint perfume of heI
hair was sweet in his nostrils; so close
| that her breath was warm upon his
| lips; so close that his bewildered SOU
| struggled In vain to hide from the glory
in her eyes. Her voice was a musical
1 whisper as she asked:
you'll never say to me 7 love you?'
There was an infinity of allurement
IN the tempting words. Danilo, with q
mighty effort, shook off the spell and
shouted:
Never! Never! Never!"
'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 fo2,,