The Lafayette advertiser. [volume] (Vermilionville [i.e. Lafayette], La.) 1865-19??, 1908-06-19
"Danilo" gasped the widow, starting

| OdCk.
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 amazernent, he
stumbled to his feet and stood staring
incredulously at her.
Sonia" he exclaimed. Sonia"
Then. recovering himself. he bowed
stiffly and said:
II beg your pardon. madame"
NO; | beg yours she replied.
"Pray go oI snoring"
You don't remember me?' he asked,
surprised.
"Not in the very least she an
swered. moving away.
"Ye you called my name
"You were asleep then. That was
different"
"And now | am awake-to the joy or
seeing you again"
1.-The joy is all your own. Is it so
surprising to find me in Paris? / am
here enjoying my w~ealth-and free
DOM
II congratulate you on both. especial
ly the freedom"
Yes. 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 it had
rested with me you should be my wife
now. not another man widow"
If it rested with you?" she MIN
icked. well, let the whole story rest
now. It's forgotten"
by you, perhaps-never by me-"
"Oh. no! / remember it every now
and hen for my own amusement. Blu
1t 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
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 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 ex%cellentiy. l oon found con-
s~olation-an elderly husband who lived
just one week after the wedding and
left ME all his wealth."
Eyes: l heard how your father forced
you into the match. Next time you
can choose a husband to suit your
self"
why should l marry again? l am
rich, free. | have everything"
'%Including loveY' he asked, his eyes
%devouring her fragile beauty.
81 don't believe in love-" scofed
Sonia. "All men are alike. Dozens Of
them are after my money and make
love to me because they can't get it
without me-"
"Men are not all fortune hunters"
he denied holly. Il for one
$50 they all say. Each says I love
your 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 be stood;
30 close that the faint perfume Of her
hair was sweet in his nostrils; so close
that her breath was warm upon his
lips; so close that his bewildered soul
struggled in vain to hide from the glory
in her eyes. Her voice was q musical
whisper as she asked:
you'll never say to me 4 love your"
There was an infinity Of allurement
in the tempting words. Danilo, with a
mighty effort, shook off the spell and
shouted:
"Never! Never! Neverw
that's a COMFORT" 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 to?"
81 don't want to-" he declared sulki-
~.
"And o promise faithfully you'll
never say to me 4 love your"
Again she was p%erilously close to
him. Again his eyes tore themselves
free from the pleading se~duetiveness Of
hers rs he reiterated:
II promise! I'm not going to make q
fool Of myself or be made a fool Of"
as that a declaration Of war;"
Queried Sonia.
"No-of friendship. Do you mean
to say II l asked you to be my wife
you would merely laugh at me-"
Probably. All men are alike"
l ''They are not. and in time I'll prove
1t to you"
| Before she could answer the anbas-
: sadOr and several Of the guests came
into the roo.n. At first opportunity
Popoff drew Danilo aside.
Prince" said he impressiyely, you
& Ea"" ""w been attochc1 to this lega
7 ito. ",A.rly FOUR months and
Few OF Ivy attachments last &C
long" Obser we'd Danilo.
You refer to your love affairs?
have heard Of them. They have
I brought you TO the brtnk of ruin. Yor
are almost pennilesA. Bere is my plaY
V to save you, also 10 give you a chance
to save your country from bankruptcy