The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-06-30

irested with me you should be my wife
now, not another mans widow"
IF it rested with YOU" she min,
licked. We'll, let the whole story rest
now. Its forgotten"
by you. perhars-never by me-"
"0h, no. | remember ii every now
and then for nv own amusement. But
il is hard 10 think of myself as the
little Marsovian peasant maid TO whom
the dashing cavalry officer. Prince
Danilo, was once engaged and whom
his rich cid 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 10.
day, Twenty millions is pretty
dowry."
AT least II 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
fleft me all his wealth."
Yes; l heard how your father forced
you into the match. Next time you
can choose husband 10 suit your.
self
why should l marry againf | am
rich. free. l have everything"
Including lover he asked, his eyes
devouring her fragile beauty.
II 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. Il for enc
$50 they all say. Each says I love
your Each means my fortune"
'They doT" cried Danilo, in rage ut
the strong insinuation. well. here's
one that doesn't / for one shall never
say 10 you. Il love your.
A strange smile stole across her face.
She came very close TO where he stood q
so close that the faint perfume of her
hair was sweet in his nostrIs: 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 musical
whisper as she asked:
You'll never say TO me I love your"
There was an infinity of allurement
IN the tempting words. Danilo, with n
mighty effort, shook of the spell and
shouted:
"Never! Never. Never!''
That's a comfort" she said coldly,
drawing away and seeking to veil her
keen disappointment "But," she added
more softly, why not say 1t IL you
really want TOP
ly.
"And you promise faithfully you'll
never say to me, 4 love your"
Again she was perilously close to
! him. Again his eyes tore themselves
free from the pleading seduetiveness Of
hers as he reiterated:
Il promise, I'm not going TO make Z
fool OF myself or be made a fool Of"
us that declaration OF war;
queried Sonia.
"No--of friendship. Do you mean
to say IL / asked you to be my wife
you would merely laugh at mey'
Probably. All men are alike"
They are not, and In time I'll prove
IL to you"
Before she could answer the ambas-
sador and several OF the guests came
into the room. At first opportunity
Popoff drew Danilo aside.
Prince said he impressively. you
have now been attached 10 this lega-
ton nearly four months and
Few of my attachments last -
long" observed Danilo
"You refer 70 your love affairs? I
have heard of them. They have
brought you TO the brink of ruin. You
IRE almost penniless. Here il my plan
TO save yol, also TO give you a chanel
to save your country from bankruptcy
!, l want you 10 marry"
ITO what?" cried Danilo.
/ ITO marry-beautiful woman, my boy
/ twenty millions-Mne. Sonia Sadowa
, Heyt"
, Never" returned Danilo, angrily. a
, he rose to end the interview.
+. Then a Frenchman will marry her
and her fortune and our country viii
be ruined"
Il won't marry her" repeated Danilo
land she won't marry ne. But for my
country's sake I'll keep any French
man from marrying her."
But how?'
haJ