Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-02-23

only man she had ever cared for had
been killed in South Africa. and as
she had not even the excuse of having
been engaged to him, she had married
with Indifference the first handsome
man with a good name and fair Tor
tune who offered himself He CHANGED
to be a Russian diplomatist, and he
turned out n spendthrift and an I'M
faithful husband. She was too kind
hearted to be glad that he had been
blown to atoms by dynamite, but she
was much too natural not to enjoy the
liberty restored to her by his destruc-
ton; and she had not the least inten-
ton of ever trying it" again.
you don't sound very enthusiastic"
laughed Margaret, who had no mis-
givings to speak Of, and was generally
a cheerful person IF you don't en-
courage me I may not go on"
There are two kinds Of ruined gam
blers." answered Lady Maud; there
are those that still like to watch other
people play, and those who cannot
bear the sight of a roulette table. I'm
to the wedding all the same, and
CtltST liAc II yOu dSh
That's nice of you. l really think
mean to marry him, and I wish you
would help me with my wedding gown,
dear. It would be dreadful II looked
like Juliet, or Elsa, or Luciai Every
body would laugh. especially as Kon-
stantin is rather of the Romeo type.
with his almond-shaped eyes and his
little black mHstaohe! / suppose he
really is, isn't he?"
"Perhaps-just a little. But he is
a very handsome fellow"
Lady Maud's lips quivered, but Mar
garet did not see.
"Oh, 1 know" she cried, laughing
and shaking her head. you once
called him exotic and he ts-but Pm
awfully fond of him all the same.
there's everything else? You really
will help me with my gown. won't
your You're such an ANGEL"
ooh, yes. I'll do anything you like.
Are you going to have a regular
knock-down-and-drag smash at ST.
Georges? The usual thing?'
Lady Maud did not despise slang,
but she made 1t sound like music.
NO" answered Margaret, rather re-
gretful1y. I'VE cannot possibly be
married till the seasons quite over, or
perhaps in the autumn, and then there
will be nobody here. I'm not sure
when 1 shall feel like it, Besides.
Konstantin hates that sort of thing"
DO you mean to say that you would
like a show wedding in Hanover
Square?" inquired Lady Maud.
I've never done anything in q
church." said the prima donna, rather
enigmatically, but as If she would
like to.
Anything in a church," repeated
her friend, vaguely thoughtful, and
with the slightest possible interroga-
ton. That's funny way of looking
at it,"
Margaret was a little ashamed OF
what she had said so naturally
II think Konstantin would like to
have it in a chapel-of-ease in the Old
Kent Road" she said, laughing. He
sometimes talks of being married in
tWeeds and driving OF in a hanson,
Then he suggests going to Constan-
tinople and getting it done by the
patriarch, who Is his uncle. Really,
that would be rather smart, wouldn't
it?'
Distinctly" assented Lady Maud.
But If you do that I'm afraid can
not help you with the wedding gown.
1 don't know anything about the dress
of Fanariote bride"
'Konstantin says they dress very
we'll" Margaret said. But of course
1t is out of the question to do any
thing so ridiculous. It will end in the
chapel-of-ease, I'm sure. He always
has his own way. That's probably
why I'm going to marry him. Just be-
cause he insists on it don't see any
other very convincing reason"
Lady Maud could not think OF any
thing to say in answer to this; but
as she really liked the singer she
thought it was a pity.
Paul Griggs, the veteran man of
letters, smiled rather sadly when she
met him shopping in New Bond street,
and told him of Margaret's engage
ment. He said that most great sing
ers married because the only way to
the divorce court led up the steps
of the altar. Though he knew the
world he was not a cynic, and Lady
Maud herself wondered how long 1t
would be before Logotheti and his
wife separated.
But they are not married yet"
Griggs added, looking at her with the
quietly ready expression of a man
who is willing that his Indifferent
words should be taken to have a spe-
cial meaning IL the person to whom
he has spoken chooses, or is able. to
understand them as they may be un-
derstood, but who is quite safe from
being suspected of suggesting any
thing II there is no answering word
or glance
Lady Maud returned his look, but
her handsome face grew rather cold.
DO you know of any reason why
the marriage should not take place ?"
she inquired after a moment.
IF 1 don't give any reason. am I
ever afterwards to hold my peace 90
asked Griggs, with a faint smile on
his Weather-baaten faca "Ara 49,,