Golden Valley chronicle. (Beach, Billings County, N.D.) 1905-1916, 1908-08-21

But POpO6 was once more at the key
hole
They're standing up to co." he re-
ported. Nov she's beginning to face
this way. It's Oh, good Lord!"
The poor old man staggered away
from the door as though struck be.
tween the eyes. Keeling to a chair, he
collapsed and buried his face In his
hands
mo, no! 1t can't be! 1t can't! he
moaned. "And yet l could hardly be
mistaken. My wife! AUDI
Brace up. your excellency!" entreat-
ed Danilo in genuine distress. Pull
yourself together. There are people
coming along the walk. Don't make
scene. Perhaps you were mistaken"
mo; l saw herr" 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 Popon in voice that brought
number Of guests hurrying to the spot.
"I'u denounce her before them all!
Come out Of there" he beloved, rush.
ing forward, both of you! Come Quit"
He threw the summer house door
wide open and shrank back. incredu-
lous. aghast.
On the threshold stood De Jolidon
and-Sonia!
"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 stifled cry.
'If-if it was you who were in
there with NJ. de Jolidon," stammered
Popoff, where Is my wife?"
Here l 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 Is the mat.
ter?'
Matter enough!' cried her husband.
II could have sworn saw you sitting
In that arbor with M. de Jolidon."
MY dear"
Natalie's exclamation was 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. r.
Il begin to understand" put in Sonia,
stepping forward in fear lest Natalie
overdo her pose Of virtuous indigna.
ton. 1T seems that 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 30 him just what you
S01O 10 me III IQeFol
De Jolidon understood. II Natalfs
was to be saved, IL Sonia was not to
be talked about, heroic measures were
necessary.
II asked Nine. Sonia Sadowa," said
he. ito do me the honor to become my
wife,
Danilo stood motionless, his lips set
In white line, amid the buzz of con-
CALCULATIONS 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 the.twenty mil
lions" Popof muttered, recovering his
self possession and somewhat belated-
" remembering his country's needs.
prince" called Sonia mischievous-
ly, Il haven't heard your coneratula.
lions yet. You don't look ,as happy "a
you might at the news"
Happy" echoed Danilo, with q
scornful, nirthless laugh. why
shouldn't be7 Accept my congratu-
lattons, 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 uttle.fairy story:
There We're once prince aud 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.