The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-08-09

"Oh. dare say she was more kissed
against than kisSlng!" Danilo observed
consolingly. but be careful sir. A
whole lot OF people are within ear
shot"
Then let them know the worst!"
cried popofr IN voice that brought
number Of guests hurrying 10 the spot.
"l'll denounc0 her before them all!
Come out OF there" he beloved, rush
Ing forward, both Of youl Come OUT"
He threw the summer house door
wide open and shrank back, incredu.
lous, aghast. -
On the threshold stood De JoIldon
and-Soniai
What what does this mcan," CUR
ged the confused ambassador. "this
this change and
"You called to us TO come out re-
turned Sonia calmly. AMay ask
what you wanted Of usY'
"Sonlaw gasped Danilo And through
the confusion OF many excited voices
she heard him and thrilled TO the note
VI anguish In his half stided cry.
tiff II was you who were iD
there with M de Jolidon," stammered
Popoff. 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 is the mat
tcrT
Matter enoughI" cried her husband
Il could have sworn saw you sitting
10 that arbor with M. dc Jolidon."
my dearr'
Natalie's exclamation was u triumph
Of shocked propriety.
Gle was kissing your hand,
thought" went OH the dazed ambassa.
dor
This time Natalie moved away from
him IN offended dignity. But Popoif
FASTENED 10 throw his arm about her
and draw her back.
II was wrong" he assured her--"a
bluuder OF eyesight! apologizei I'm
sorry. H.
Il begin TO understand" put In Sonia.
stepping forward In fear lest Natalie
oyerdo her pose Of vlrtuous indigna.
ton. 1T seems that the Marsovian
ambassador has done me the honor to
listen at n keyhole In hopes OF over,
hearing my conversation. Sooner than
dsappoint him, NJ. de Jolldon, VIII 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
wIfer'
Danlo stood motionless, his lips SET
in white line amid the buzz OF con.
gratulations and laughter that followed
DE JolIdons announcement. Sonia
noted bis agony and said joyfully to
herself.
MY prince, think I've won! You'll
have 10 speak. soon or late, now, and
when you do
And Marsoyla loses the twenty mil
lions" Popoff muttered. recovering his
self possession and somewhat belated-
ly remembering his country's needs.
~, II haven't heard your congratula.
tlons yet You don't look as happy as
you might at the news"
Happy echoed Danllo, with
scornful, mlrthless laugh. why
shouldn't | 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 fnd rharry-not
at allr
LET me Tell you a little fairy story:
There were once prince and 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 aud prom.
lsed 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 Pm awake from my crazy
dream Of love, and I'm going back to
Maxim's, and you can all go to--Mar-
soviaw
"He loves me! He loves mer painted
Sonia under her breath