The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1909-07-22

&
mot TIL you are quite gone" she
affirmed.
That will be some time hence" be
announced She rested her chin On
her hands and looked OF across the
brook In silence II win 80 on one
condition" he said at last.
'Name it, said the girl
"a kiss, said the man, with a quick
passion. and as she flushed he put his
arm about her aud laid his cheek
against hers for an instant The girl
was passive. As he turned his face
and kissed her lips she put him away
gently. but firmly.
THAT" she said as he stood beside
her twas done like a prince and not
like private gentleman"
He looked down at her with a sud
den gravity. Like the prince, / must
be shut out of paradise" be said.
but at least I have had paradise for
a moment" And he crossed the brook
and disappeared. The girl crept over
to where her stockings and buckled
shoes lay at the foot Of a big tree.
plain In sight, and put them on.
1t was the next afternoon, and he
was wandering listlessly about one OF
the magnificent dreary audience rooms
OF the palace. undecided whether 10 be
indignant or amused at the unusual
delay In his reception, for he had been
waiting fifteen minutes Suddenly
through one OF the great doors at the
end Of the room came The court lady.
Today she was in riding dress. She
stopped at sight Of him
"Youw she said "And aloneY
mot now" he returned. coming to-
ward her. "In paradise, you know,
one has the best Of company Then
be stopped for she was courtesying
low before him, with demure eyes.
u beg your pardon he said blankly
1T is for me TO beg your highness'
pardon" she said, FOR yesterday"
How did you know" he demanded
81 didn't know at first" she evaded,
pulling of one gauntlet He caught
the hand thus barred
HAS your highness seen the prln-
eessT' she asked. He let her hand go.
Il was told that the princess had not
yet come IN" be returned stiaiy He
was very grave, but he took her hand
again and lifted It 70 his lips 4 like
you better as private gentleman"
she added mischievously Then as be
bent toward her lips she evaded him,
courtesylng low again.
Don't" he said sharply don't bow
to me. Why should you deny the kiss
to the prince that you granted to the
gentleman
"Your highness knows that" she an.
swsred simply. 1--WE were mad yes
terday."
'Then I am mad today" no returned.
Il feel that II Is chronic. Let me be a
private gentleman for awhile" She
shook Der head.
mo" she said, mot 50 soon. like
to feel that ] am talking to prince.
Usually they talk to the princess, you
see This is my hour Of triumph, your
highness. Perhaps when the princess
has transferred her court to Lubbock.
Malvoisie- perhaps some day Are
there woods near your place. your
highnessi For you might be wander.
ing in them. Once year now-T can
imagine that once a year 1t might be
interesting to play at being merely
gentleman.
"Waitr he said. "If the princess
honors my suit But she interrupt.
ed him.
do not be afraid, she said There
are reasons OF state, you know"
Then he went on, regardless OF
her raillery, 'you need not come with
her to Lubeck.Mslvoisiep
Your highress does net want meqH
the girl said, with sudden catch In
her breath.
Want your he repeated, with a
groan. "ListenF he drew her to the
window and stood before her One
advantage a private gentleman has
over IFS prince Is that his love and his
honor may go hand In hand Mine
may not MY honor Is the princess
my love she cannot have, for it ISL
yours. But my honor. that goes with
my hand 20 the princess. If ! were
merely prince | should carry you off
with me today. l would make you
confess to the paradise you smile at
But am not merely a prince or gen
tenant am bothand so you must
not come to Lubbock"
She had listened with lowered eyes
and her under lip caught between her
teeth.
'Kiss me goodby." be said hoarsely,
''aud go, ] kissed you yesterday once.
don't even know your name. but
want you to kiss me once again and
then go-for heavens sake. goa she
raised her lips TO his. and for mo
ment he held her in his arms, his
cheek against hers Then be put her
away from him, and bis glance travel
ed slowly and hungrily over her.
He stepped back with a sudden ex-
clamation for the handle Of her crop
was heavy gold crown. On the back
OF the gauntlet she sim wore was en-
broidered a crown, and there were
crowns on the gold buttons that fas-
tened the straps Of her habit
III 1t please your highness7 She
began courtesying before him He
caught her hands and drew her up
and toward him.
How could youg" he said "Oh |
my love, my lover