The Eureka sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1902-current, 1912-04-20

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"Wil madame permit Inc also to ask
her a question: r. he said.
Certainly" she answered.
"Was the marriage secretf' y he asked.
The answer was instant "It was
private, but not secret. Are there any
more questions, messieurs? r she asked
No one answered.
'Then. with your permission, 1 will
obey my husbands orders and with
draw" she said mockingly. Major
Moore, your arm"
When she was gone Lotzen turned to
me and held out his hand.
I'm with you, Armand he said
heartily. "She's no wife of yours, GER
tifcate to the contrary notwithstand-
ing"
l thanked him gratefully, the more
so since it was so totally unexpected.
Then, addressing particularly the Rad
nors, l said:
THE supper is spoiled beyond repair.
l fear, but | shall ask you to go o
with it. for / wish to acquaint you with
some facts in the life of the
who claims me as her husband"
I'VE are quite ready to accept your
highness' simple denial" said Lord
Radnor.
II prefer you hear my story first" I
answered.
Then | told them In detail, what I
had only outlined to the princess, con
corning Madeline Spencer. When l had
finished Lord Radnor shook his gray
head gravely.
His highness of Lotzen is quite
right" he said. you never married
that woman Either she is a black
mailer or she is doing this in pure re-
venge. What's your notion, Court
neyT'
The marriage story is, Of course, a
pure lie," said Courtney, but, there,
l quit. l neve try to guess a woman's
purpose-and q pretty woman's least
Of ALL"
Then the princess arose and, taking
Lord Radnor's arm, she led the way
down the garden. l came last with
Lady Radnor. When we reached the
exit Dehra insisted upon waiting until
the Radnors and Courtney had gone.
She was, she said. helping me do the
honors. Then. when her own carriage
was at the door. she turned to the
Countess Giska.
His highness will drive with me-
she said. Major Moore, will you es-
cort the %countess?"
But, Dehra"- / protested.
She was in the brougham, now.
"You will not permit me to drive
alone to the p~alace?' she said.
But, Dehra"- / began again.
She reached over and took my hand.
Still l hesitated.
Come, sweetheart" she said softly.
l could resist no longer. / sprang
in, the door slammed, and we were
alone together.
No, not alone, either. The Spencer
woman was there with us, before us,
all around us. 81 am Armand Dali
berg's wife" was pounding in my
brain.
Then l felt a soft little hand slip
into mine. A perfumed hair tress
touched my cheek. and the sweetest
voice to me on earth whispered in my
ear:
Don't I get my kiss nowT"
l flung my arm about her and caught
her close, then loosed her sharply and
drew back.
God help me, Dehra, l may not" |
said. did you not hear that woman
claim me as her husband?"
But she only pressed the closer. 1
was in the very corner of the carriage
now; l could retreat no farther. And
maybe l was glad. l think l was.
but that's no reason" she insisted.
you are not her husband"
you believe that, dear?" I cried.
She put her arms about my neck
and kissed me almost fercely on the
lips, then suddenly drew back, and,
with both hands pressed against my
breast, she Viewed me at arms length.
Believe itT' she said. Believe it?
l never believed anything else"
l took her hands and reverently
touched them to my forehead. then held
them tight.
after all these years God would not
send you to me just to mock my pray
ers," she added.
But the certiicate!7 I objected.
"a lie or a forgery" she said scorn-
fully.
/ drew her head upon my shoulder.
"Sweetheart,"I whispered, may l kiss
you nowT"
She lifted her dear face and looked
up into mine with glistening eyes, her
lips half parted. My W eyes, too,
were wet, / think.
"Yes, Armand-now and always"
she answered.
And so l held her for a moment. then
bent and kissed her. And that kiss is
on my lips this instant and will be I'M
til they numb In death.