The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-08-14
eff what MT.

IlSht WILL yOQ anu ucI lduy SAIp, SlI. We don't want to do anything that would seem forward and out of place, sir.'
 "It's very considerate of you, Saun- ders, but what the devil are you talk ing about?''
 "Miss-Miss Pelham and I have de- cided to get-er-get married before it is too late"
 Deppingham stared hard for a mo- ment and then grinned broadly.
 You mean before you die?"
 'That's it exactly, my lord. Flaw, haw! It would be a bit late, wouldn't it, if we waited till afterward. Flaw, haw! Splendid! So I have come to ask if you think it will interfere with your arrangements riff we should be married tonight?''
 ''rm sure, Saunders, that it won't discommode me in the least" said his Saunders, let it be tonight, for to- morrow we may die"
 twill you kindly speak to her lady ship, sirr'
 "Gladly. And I'll take it as an honor if you will permit me to give away the bride"
 Thank you, my lord," cried Saun- ders, his face beaming. His lordship shook hands with him, whereupon his cup of happiness overfowed, notwith- standing the fact that his honeymoon was likely to be of scarcely any du- ration whatsoever.
 The wedding took place that night in the little chapel. Chase deliberately took possession of the princess after the hollow wedding supper had come to an end. Her mood had changed. Now she was quite at ease with him. The taunting gleam in her eyes pre- saged evil moments for his peace of mind.
 ''Tm inspired" he said to her. "A wedding always inspires me-"
 "It's very strange that you've never married" she retorted. She was strid- ing freely by his side, confident in her power to resist sentiment with mock cry.
 "WiIl you be my wife?" he asked abruptly. She caught her breath be- fore laughing tolerantly and then look ed into his eyes with a tantalizing in- genuousness.
 ! "By no means" she responded. 'T am not oppressed by the same views that actuated Miss Pelham. You see, MT. Chase, I am quite confident that we are not to die in two weeks.'
 q could almost wish that we could die in that time" he said.
 How very diabolicalr'
 'Tt may seem odd to you, but I'd rather see you dead than married to Prince Karl" She was silent. He went on, Would you consent to be my wife if you felt in yeur heart that we should never leave this island?''
 "I think I shall go in, MT. Chase she said, with. warning shake of her head.
 Don't, please! I'm not asking you to marry me if we should leave the island. You must give me credit for that" he argued whimsically.
 "Ah, see," she said, apparently very much relieved. ~You want me only with the understanding that death should be quite close at hand to relieve you. And if were to become your wife, here and now, and we should be taken from this dreadful piace-what thenP'
 "You probably would have to go through a long and miserable career as plain Goodwife Chase" he ex- plained-
 eff it will make you any happier" !" she said, with a smile in which there lurked a touch of mischievous triumph, -I can say that I might consent to marry you if I were not so positive that will leave the island soon. You seem to forget that my uncle's yacht is to call here, even though your cruis- CTS will not"
 "I1l risk even that" he maintained stoutly.
 She stopped suddenly, her hand upon his arm.
 'Dp you really love mer she de manded earnestly. -f with all my soul, swear to you,' ,'' he replied, staggered by the abrupt change in her manner.
 "Then doPt make it any harder for me-" she said. "You know that could not do what you ask. Please, please be fair with me. IT can't even jest about it. It is too much to ask of me, !" she went on, with a strange firmness in her voice. .It would require cen turies to make me forget that I am a princess, just as centuries were taken up in creating me what am. I am no better thar you, dear, but-but-you understand P She said it so pleading ly, so hopelessly, that he understood what it was that she could not say to him. We seldom, if eyer,. marry the men whom God has made for us to love-
 He lifted her hands to his breast and held them there. "If you will just go on loving me I'll some day make you forget you're a princess" She smiled and shook her head Her hair gleamed red and bronze in the kindly light; Q soft perfnme came up to his nostrils.
 
 The next day three of the native servants became violently i'll, seized lby the most appalling convulsions. At first thrill of horror ran through the chateau. The plague-the plague in reality!
 But these fears were quickly dissi- tod crrff Do ~1