The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1908-08-13

was his wife'S and that some man had
written 4 love YOU on one Of the
sticks. He was going home to beat his
wife and make her confess who the
villain was when l persuaded my wife
to save poor Nine. Nova kovitch by
pretending the fan was her own. Ah,
but my wife is born diplomatist.
Nova Kovitch was convinced. and
pocketed the fan for future reference"
Danilo took the trinket from Popofs
hands and read the penciled inscrip-
ton.
why" he said on impulse. ''this is
De Jolidon's handwriting! How does 1t
happen that he
Then" squealed Popoff in triumph,
at is Nine. Nova kovitch he loves.
The whole thing is absurdly simple
when q brain like mine is brought to
bear on itr'
Delighted with his own astuteness,
the ambassador pattered off to join the
other guests, leaving Danilo, fan In
hand, blankly facing the astounded lit
tie clerk.
"Nish," observed the prince, do you
suppose it's possible De Jolidon can be
In love with Nine. Nova Kovitch as
well as with Nine. Popoff?"
.I'd-I'd like to think So" murmured
Nish as he started faithfully of in the
wake Of his chief. I'D like to think so.
lit would make it less exclusive,
less Of a monopoly. And to think his
excellency never recognized his own
wife's fan! Where ignorance is bliss
why read up on divorce laws?"
Laying the fan on q nearby table,
Danilo was turning away when voice
behind him called mockingly:
"Still In retreat? So you are afraid
Of mew
Whirling about, the prince faced
Sonia. She was bewitchingly pretty in
the black and gold Marsovian dress
that showed to fullest advantage every
willowy line of her figure.
"Pm not retreating,." ne contradicted.
"only skirmishing in light cavalry
fashion"
"And you are going away like that?
Oh, you stupid man."
81 can't tell what you mean," he
answered, puzzled. -,
"And | shan't tell what l mean, she
rejoined by the way, she added,
chow do you happen to be here? You
declined my invitauon.''
"Im here" he replied bluntly, "be-
cause I'm making it my business to
get rid of every Frenchman who shows
signs Of proposing to YOU
'But why" she asked in wonder.
"For my own amusement; that's all"
'You-you don't happen to be in love
with me yoursslf?" she asked, a tinge
Of wistfulness in the light mockery OF
her tone.
Certainly not~ he retorted, with
suspicious promptituds.
you're very, very rude!" she re-
proved. But since you don't love me
you ought to be able to give me good
advice about accepting a man l really
want to marry"
"Ohw growled Danilo, chagrined.
"Then there Is some one you want TO
marry%
She nodded.
"Whoever the man Is, he's after
your money" he sneered.
'No," she eontradicted. "He Is not
not this one"
"You said all men were alike"
''This man is different He loves me-"
'Then marry him! What is 1t to me?
Marry any one you want to. don't
care. And I'll dance at your wedding.
I'll dance till wear holes through
both my shoes"
"You silly boyr she sconed. You're
jealousr'
"Jealous?" he ragged. Jealous?
jsalous2 That's a good one~
Words failed him, and he stalked
away to a nearby summer house,
where he paused, lost in seeming con-
temptation of the little buildings archi-
lecture.
The neglected fan lying on the table
caught Sonia's eye. She picked 1t up
idly and opened It. The words II love
you" met her gaze. Quickly she glanced
ut Danilo.
81 understand" she murmured to
herself. "He vowed he'd never say 1t
to me, 80 he's written It"
Noting that Danilo's back was to-
ward her, she furtively lifted the fan
to her lips and kissed the written
words. Then as she restored 1t to the
table she whispered:
"Just the same, I'll make him say
It. He shallr
She crossed to where he stood.
"Have you nothing to say to me,
princeT she asked.
'Only one thing-goodby"
"Goodbyw she echoed. You're
you're not goingr'
II leave Paris tomorrow morning
BY the first train-forever"
Then you won't be here, after all, to
dance at my wedding?"
"Nom
"But you promised. And now, sup
pose, 1 shall never see you again, for