Putnam patriot., 1909-10-01

"Wili gou conte ,cith Ble noinRr no longer required. l told them to- to go to-
 Il understand" she said quickly. Tt required courage to tell them that" He smiled.
 They protested friendship. but l can read very well as l run But can't we find something more agreeable to talk about? May l say that l have not seen a newspaper in three monthsf : There must be news that you can give me l am hungry for 1t"
 You poor man, No newspapers, Then you don't know what has hap pened in all these monthsY'
 Nothing since before Christmas. Would you like to see a bit of news that I clipped from the last Paris pa per that came into my hands,?
 "Yes." she said. vaguely disturbed He drew forth his pocketbook and took from its interior small bit of paper. She read it at glance and handed 1t back. X faint touch of red came into her cheeks.
 How very odd. Why should you have kept that hit of paper all these months9"
 You have been married nearly three months he said refectiveiy--.three months and two days, to be precise. She laughed outright bewitching merry laugh that startled him.
 How accurate you would be-. she exclaimed. Tt would be highly ln- teresting achievement. NIT. Chase. 1T it were only borne out by facts. You see I have not been married so much as three minutes
 He stared at her. uncemprehending. She went on. Do you consider 1t bad luck 10 postpone a wedding2"
 lnvoluntarily he drew his horse closer to hers There was new gleam fin his eyes. Her blood leaped at the challenge they carried
 Very bad luck" he said quite stead fly. flor the bridegroom"
 In an instant they seemed to under stand something that had rot even been considered before She looked away. but he kept his eyes fast upon her half turned face. finding delight in the warm tint that surged so shame iessiy to her brow. He wondered 1T she could hear the pounding of bis heart above the thud Of the horses feet
 We are to be married tn June" she said. somewhat dehantly. Some Of the light died in his eyes. Prince hara was very i'll. They thought he mighf die. His-his studies-his music. mean. proved more than be could carry. It-it is not serious. A uerv- ous breakdown" she explained halt ingly. .1t was necessary to postpone the marriage He will be quite well again. they say. by June" - "I hope he may be fully recovered. for your sake" he managed to say
 Thank you" After a long pause she turned to him again and said. we are to live in Paris for a year or txo at least"
 He is in Paris nowT
 -rNo.- she answered. and that was aii He waited. but she did nof ex- pand her confidence.
 .So it is to be in June" he unused. Tn June." she said quietly. He sigbed.
 T am more than sorry that you arc princess" be said boldly.
 ~Ia an quite sure of that" she said % pointedly that he almost gasped She was laughing comfortably. mis- ehievoss sleam in her dark eyes. His laugh was as awkward as hers was charming.
 You do ike to be nattered." he ex' claimed at random And l shall take fl upon myself to add to today's meas ure.- He again drew forth his pocket book She looked on curiously Ter nit me to restore the lace handker chief which you dropped some time ago I've been keeping 1T for myself but
 My handkerchiefy' she gasped- hei thoughts going at once 10 that ridicn lous incident of the balcony. II mus belong to Lady Deppinghana"
 ~ch. it isn't the one you used ca the balcony" he protested eoolls- Il anretaees that adventure
 Balcony. I don't understand Foo. she contested
 Then you are exceedingly oofuse