Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1910-12-15

perate attempts to free himself. He
was soon falling in a bad way He
gasped, his lips grew blue and the
whites of his eyes bloodshot. This
man was killing him! And so he was,
for Hillard, realizing that he had lost
everything in the world worth living
for, vas mad for killing.
La Signorina was first to recover.
She sprang toward the combatants
and grasped Hillard's hand. the one
buried in the princes throat, and
pulled. She was not strong enough.
"Merrihew. O'Mally. Quick, He
is killing him" she cried wildly.
The two finally succeeded in separat-
ing the men,, and none too O A
ome more and the prince had been
Il dead man.
La Signorina turned upon Hillard.
And you would have done this thing
before my very eyes!"
II was mad" he painted, shamed. 81
love you better than anything else in
Gods world. and this man means that
l shall lose you"
The prince lurched toward Hillard,
but fortunately Merrihew heard the
slithering sound of the saber as it left
its scabbard. Merrihew With a des-
perate lunge stopped the blow. He
flung the saber at O'Mally's feet.
"Iou speak English" said Merrihew
in an ugly temper. You may send
your orderly to the Hotel Italie tomor-
row morning, and your saber will be
given to him. We can get along with
out you nicely"
The prince tore at his muStacheS.
Meddlers! To return to Florence with
out his saber was dishonor. He cursed
them all roundly and turned to La
Signorina.
81 am in the way here" he cried.
But listen. You shall remain my
wife so long as both Of us live. I had
intended arranging your freedom once
the estate and moneys were divided,
but not now. You shall read my wife
till the end of the book, for unless I
meet you halfway the marriage con-
tract cannot be broken. In the old
days it was your conscience. The still
small voice seems no longer to trouble
you turning suggestively to Hillard.
You are stopping at the Hotel taller
II am. You will find me there re,
turned Hillard, with good understand
ing.
Good. Your highness, tomorrow
night l shall have the extreme pleas
1rn IF ,r,,,,;,,r ,,,, 1,y,, +1ro,,~I ~,
throat He picked up his cap and
took his princely presence out of their
immediate vicinity.
1T will do my soul good to stand
before that scoundrel,' said Hillard
stretching out his hands INC closing
them with crushing force.
La Signorina laid a protesting hand
Oh his arm
Il love YOU" he murmured as he
bent to kiss her hand. "And 1t Is not
~dishonorab]p for you to hear me say
So"
Il forbid YOU to say that" But thu
longing of the world was in her eve!
as she looked down at his head.
"This is what comes Of American
girls marrying these blamed foreign.
ers," growled the tender hearted
O'Mally. why did you do it,"
Il am almost Italian, Mr.. O'Mally. ]
had no choice in the matter. The af.
fair was prearranged by our parents
after the continental fashion,"
When billiard and La Signorina were
at length alone he asked, "When shall
I see you again?"
"Who knows? Some day, perhaps
when time has softened the SHARP
edges Of this moment. Tomorrow ]
shall write, or very soon."
"You will send for me"" with eager
ness and hope.
"Why not? There is nothing wrone
in u friendship, and prize it
Promise"
Il promise. Goodby! For a little
while l have lived in paradise. Wher
ever l may be, at the worlds end
you have but to call me. In a month
in a year, a decade, l shall come
Goodby!" Without looking at hel
again he rushed away.