Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1908-07-10

ed DanilO in genuine distress. Pull
yourself together. There are people
coming along the walk. Don't make a
scene. Perhaps you were mistaken"
mo: 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 n voice that brought q
number Of guests hurrying to the spot.
Come out Of there" he beloved. rush
ing forward. both Of you! Come outv'
He threw the summer house door
wide open and shrank back. incredu-
lOus. aghast.
On the threshold stood De Jolidon
and-Soniai
"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?"
sonia" gasped Danilo. And through
the confusion Of many excited voices
she heard him and thrilled to the note
Of anguish in his half stiaed cry.
Tiff 1t was you who were In
there with NJ. de Jolidon." stammesed
Popofr. where is my wifeT
Here 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 II the mat.
ter?
Matter enough" cried her husband.
II could have sworn I saw you sitting
In that arbor with NJ. de Jolidon."
my dear"
Natalies exclamation was a 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 Popon
FASTENED to throw his arm about her
and draw her back.
II was wrong" he assured her-"a
blunder Of eyesight! ! apologize! I'm
sorry. H.
Il begin to understand" put In Sonia,
stepping forward In fear lest Natalie
Overdo her pose Of virtuous indigna-
ton. ut seems tfnt the Marsovian
ambassador has done me the honor to
listen at keyhole In hopes Of over.
hearing my conversation. Sooner than
disappoint him, NJ. de Jolidon. Will you
please repeat to him just what you
said to me In thereT
De JOlidOn understood. II Natalie
was to be saved, II 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 motonless, his lips set
In u white line amid the buxs Of con-
gratulations and laughter that followed
De JolidOn's announcement. Sonia
noted his agony and said joyfully to
herself:
My prince. think I've won! You'll
have to speak, soon or late, now, and
when you do
"And Marsovia loses thettwenty mil.
lions" ropof 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.
tions yet You don't look as happy as
you might Mt the news"
Happy" echoed Danilo. with a
scornful. mirthless laugh why
shouldn't l 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 all.
"Let me tell you a little fairy story:
There were once prince and a prin-
cess. They loved each other. But the
prince was poor and dared not tell Of
his love for fear Of being thought a
fortune hunter. His silence made the
princess angry. So she went and prom
ised her hand to another man, and
they all lived miserably unhappy ever
after And the moral Of that stupid
little story is that I'm sick Of respect
ability, and I'm awake from my crazy
dream Of love. and I'm going back to
Haxim's. and you can all go to-Mar-
sovia!"
"He loves me. He loves mew painted
Sonia under her breath.