Gunnison news-champion., 1910-06-03

the \ ilia Ariadne had once been the
scene of many splendid entertain
ment There had always been nlys-
'ery regarding IN. principcssa 81
Monte Blanca Many doubted her ac-
tual existence Nus the prince was
known ali over Europe as a handsome
spendthrift And the fact that ct this
precise HIoulcnt he was aaarteraa
with the Eighth corps in Florence aaa
ed largely 30 the zest of Speculation
As for IIliiard well indeed he IN
derstood now why Mrs Sandford had
warned him. HE understood nov
what the great mistake was.
He was always az her heels now.
hut speaking no more Of his hove. she
understood aud was grateful Once
she plucked a Young rose and gave it
20 him. and he was sure that her hand
touched his with pity. though she
would not meet bis eyes
At 4 O'Clock on the afternoon of the
day before the ball now that the
noise had subsidized aud the servants
were in their quarters. La Signorina
went into the gardens alone. An hour
earlier she had seen IIillard mount
and ride away, the last time but once.
There seemed to bear down upon her
that oppression which one experiences
In nightmare Of being able TO fy so
high. TO run madly and yet to move
slowly. always pursued by terror
Even now there was a single avenue
81 escape. but she knew that she could
not profit ny II and leave these unfor-
tunate derelicts 10 shift for them
selves. Love. She laughed brokenly
and struck her hands in suppressed
fury A fitting climax this. All the
world WAS mad. and she was the mad-
dest in It,
Some one was coming along the
path. She wheeled impatiently She
wanted to he alone. And Of all men
worth was not the one she cared 10
see. But the sight Of his pale face
and set jaws stayed her words She
waited restlessly
Il have something to say TO you"
he said. upon which your future wei
fare largely depends"
Il am listening" She showed sur
prise
There has been a tremendous won
der. as | understand. about this ball
In regard to the strange manner in
which the Invitations were issued"
Have you found out who did it,"
she demanded
Yes" The light in his eyes was
feverish.
who was p fiercely
Il issued those invitations"
"You" Her lips parted.
Yes. ] am the guilty man. The
list was the main obstacle 1 repre-
sented myself as secretary to her high
ness"
And you have the effrontery to con
fess your crime TO me-" her fury blaz-
ing forth.
Call 1t what you please"
What purpose had you in mind
when you did this cowardly thing"
Il had definite purpose. An i'm
posture like yours is a prison offense
You have seen that l love you. yet al
ways ignore me You must marry
me-"
You are hiding a threat"
Il shall hide it no longer. Marry
me or | shall disclose the imposture TO
the police"
oh" Then she laughed the laugh
ter of one in deadly anger. Mr..
Worth. do you suppose. even had I en-
tertained some sentiment toward you.
that it would survive circumstance
Ike this?"
Il am waiting for your answer. YES
cf MOP
Mo-
Take care" lie advanced.
Il am perfectly capable OF taking
care. And. Mr.. Worth. you will leave
this villa at once. And II you do not
go quietly l shall order the servants u
put you forth"
You speak as though you were the
princess" he snarled.
''TiIl Thursday morning I am" La
signorina replied proudly.
A man who loses his last throw n
generally desperate. He seised her
roughly in his arms. She struck hin
across the eyes with ran strenGth. He
0sped and released hef.
II I were a man." she saA 0u3esly,
hat with lightning IN her eyes. 'yss
sAoud die for that she left ~.
Worth burst into tears. He went -
his room. got together his things aDA
drove secretly into Florence.
On the night Of the hall there vas q
brilliant moon Rosy Chinese lanterns
stretched from tree 10 tree. Tie g.
cbesfra was OlAyinG strauss. The