The Detroit times., 1912-03-29
STOLEN 81
SINGER @
A GREAT SERIAL STORY 8x N.Y.
MARTHA BELLIN! ,ll l!. IN
MARTHA BEILINGER
Sssvrsht 1911. The Bobbs Merrill Company.

LETT her. but sitting there, face 70
face with this man, face to face With
his seriousness, his masculine will
and strength, she felt that she had
something yet TO struggle for. some
deep personal right to be acknowl
edged. II was with a dignity, an
aloofness, that was quite real, yet very
sweet, that she met this American
lover. He had her hand in his firm
grasp, but he was waiting for her TO
speak. He was giving her the hear
ing that was, in his opinion, her right.
I'm the first place" eMlanie be-
gan, you ought 10 know more about
me-who l am. and all that sort of
thing. | am, in one sense, not at all
what I seem TO be; and that, In the
case OF marriage, is dangerous
thing
cit Is an important thing. at least
But | do know who you are: knew
long ago Since you never referred
70 the matter, OF course I never did
You are the Princess Auguste Ste
nhanie OF Krolvetz, cousin OF the pres
emit Duke stephen, called king or
| Krolyetz. You are even in line for
the throne, though there are two or
/
Cured the displeasure OF Duke Ste
phen and are practically an exile from
your country.
"A voluntary exile" Melanie cor
rected.
voluntary only In the sense that
, you prefer exile to absolute submis-
sion to the duke. There Is no alter
native, II you return"
Melanie was sident. Aleck lifted the
hand which he held, touched 1t gent
" with his lips and laid 1t back be-
side its fellow on Melanie's lap Then
he rose and lifted both hands before
her half In fun and half in earnest
ness, as IL he were courtier doing
reverence to his queen.
See. your highness, how ready l
am to do you homage, Only smile on
the most devoted of your servants"
Melanie could not resist his gentle
gaiety. II was as IL they were two
children playing at story. Aleck, in
such a mood as this, was as much fun
as dancing bear, and in five min
utes more he had won peals OF laugh
ter from Melanie. 1t was what he
wanted-to brighten her spirits. So
presently he came back TO the big
chair, though he did not again take
her hand.
Il knew you were titled and i'm
portant, Melanie, and at first thought
that sealed my case entirely But
you seemed to forget your state,
seemed not to care SO very much
about it; and perhaps that made ne
think il was possible for us both to
o. ~ go
haven't gold throne to give you; but
you're the only woman I've ever want
ed to mary, and wasn't going to give
up the chance until you said So"
do ycr know also that IL l marry
out Of rank and without the con-
sent OF Duke Stephen, | shall forfeit
all my fortune?'
Cut of without a cent?" Aleck
laughed, but presently paused, en-
barrassed for the first time since he
had begun his plea. 81, you know,
haven't millions, but there's decent
income, even for two. And then | can
always 60 to work and earn some
thing" he smiled at her, giving in
formation to a thirsty world about the
gill-slit, as yon call 1t. 1t would be
fun, earning money for you; I'd like to
do IT."
Melanie smiled back at him, but
left her chair and wandered uneasliy
about the room, as II turning a diff
ficult matter over in her mind. Aleck
stood by, watching. Presently she re-
turned to her chair, pushed him gent
" back into his, seat and dropped
down beside him. Before she spoke.
she touched her fingers lightly, al
most lovingly, along the blue veins
of his big hand lying on the arm OF
the chair. The hand turned. like
magnet spring, and imprisoned hers.
mo, dear friend, not yet" said Me-
LAME, drawing away her hand, yet not
very quickly after all. There Is much
yet to say to you, and have been
wondering how to say 1t, but shall
do Il now. Like the heroes In the
| novels she smiled again, II am go
ing to tell you the story OF my life"
Good" said Aleck. "All ready for
chapter one. But your maid wants
you at the door"
go away, Sophie" said Melanie.
Serve luncheon to Madame Reynier
alone. shall wait; and you'll have
to walt, too. poor man." She looked
Children Cry