Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1909-10-08


teresting achievement, Mr.. Chase. If
1t were only borne out by facts. You
see, l have not beer married so much
as three minutes"
He stared at her, uncomprehending.
She went on, do you consider it bad
luck to postpone a weddingY'
Involurtarily he drew his horse
closer to hers. There was a new
CLEAN in his eyes. Her blood leaped
at the challenge they carried.
VERY bad luck" he said quite stead
lily, ''for the bridegroom"
In an instant they seemed to under
stand something that had not eve
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
lessly to her brow. He wondered il
she could hear the pounding of his
heart above the thud of the horses
feet.
I'VE are to be married in June.'' she
said, somewhat defiantly. Some of the
light died in his eyes. prince Karl
was very i'll. They thought he might
die. His-his studies-his music, l
mean. proved more than he could
carry. lit is not serious. A merry.
Gus breakdown" she explained halt
ingly. ut was necessary to postpone
the marriage. He will be quite well
again, they say, by June"
81 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. I'VE
are to live In Paris for a year or two
at least"
"He is in Paris nowT"
"No," she answered, and that was
all. He waited, but she did not ex-
pand her confidence.
$50 it is to be in June" he unused.
"In june she said quietly. He
sighed.
81 am more than sorry that you are
a princess" he said boldly.
81 am quite sure of that" she said,
so pointedly that he almost gasped.
She was laughing comfortably, a mis-
~chievous CLEAN in her dark eyes. His
laugh was as awkward as hers was
charming.
you do like to be flattered," he ex-
claimed at random. And | shall take
it upon myself to add to today's meas
ure.' He again drew forth his pocket
book. She. looked on c~uriously. Per
NIT me to restore the lace handker-
chief which you dropped some time
ago. I've been keeping it for myself,
but
MY handkerchief" she gasped, her
thoughts going at nee to that ridicu-
lous incident Of the balcony. ut must
belong to Lady D%eppingham."
ooh, it isn't the one you used on
the balcony" he protested coolly. ut
%antedates that adventure"
"Balcony2 don't understand you,"
she contested.
'Then YOU are exceedingly obtuse."
81 never dreamed that you could
see," she confessed patheticAlZ
A-.ltAr~~-xtSemelE~ HeeIW3A2
very presumptuous in me. But. your
highness. this is the handkerchief you
dropped in the castle garden six
months ago. Do you recognize the
perfume2"
You are very sentimental" she said
at last. would you care to keep it2
1t is of no value to me-"
Thanks! l will keep It,"
1--WE changed my mind" she said
inconsequently, stuffing the fabric in
her gauntlet. "You have something
else in that pocketbook that | should
very much like to possess"
ut can't be that Ban of England.
mo, mol You wrapped it in a bit of
paper last week and placed it there
for safe keeping"
"You mean the bulletT'
Eyes. l should like it to show to
my friends, you know, when l tell
them how near you were to being
shot" Without a word he gave her
the bullet that had dropped at his
feet on that first day at the chateau.
"Thank you. oh, isn't it a horrid
thing! JUS to think, it might have
struck you!" She shuddered.
He was about to answer in his de-
lirium when a sharp turn in the road
brought them In view of the chateau
Not a hundred yards ahead of them
two persons were riding slowly, unat-
tended, very much occupied in them
selves. Their backs were turned to-
ward Chase and the princess, but it
was an easy matter to recognize them.
The glance which shot from the prin-
cess to Chase found a peculiar smile
disappearing from his lips.
II know what you are thinking" she
cried impulsively. You are wrong
very wrong, Mr.. Chase. Lady Dep
bingham is a born coquette-a born
trifer. 1t is ridiculous to think that
she can be seriously engaged in a.
ut isn't that, princess" he interrupt
ed, a dark look in his eyes. 81 was
merely wondering whether dear little
Mrs. Browne is as happy as she might
be-"
Geneyra was silent for a moment.
81 had not thought of that" she said
soberly.