The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1912-04-20

incredulous look was gone. Bright an
| ger famed instead.
"Do you still persist, sir. that you do
not know my rightful nameT she de-
manded.
From my previous acquaintance with
the lady knew she was working her
self into passion, though why could
not imagine.
my dear madame" said, "why such
pother over such tribe? If your name
be no longer Madeline Spencer tell me
what 1t is. l shall be profoundly glad
to call you by 1t or any name than
Spencer" added.
She felt the thrust, and her eyes an
swered it. Then suddenly she turned
and faced those at the table.
"Your pardon" she said, speaking
straight at Lord Radnor, Twill you tell
me If this man here" waving her hand
toward me, lis Major Armand Dali
berg"
Lord Radnor bowed. 'That gentle
man is his royal highness the Grand
Duke Armand Of Valeria," he said.
| "Erstwhile major Of engineers In the
American army" she asked.
II believe SO, madame" said his lord
ship stifiiy.
THANK you," she said. "And now
But l broke in. Madame l said
sharply, 'you have presumed beyond
forbearance. Major Moore, will you es-
cort the lady to her companionsT
Moore stepped forward and, bowling
very low, offered his arm. Like fash
q smile.
Just moment, If you please" she
said with softest accents. Then, with
studied deiberation, she turned her
back on me and swept the princess an
elaborate courtesy.
"Your royal highness may pardon my
intrusion" she said, "when l tell you
that l am Armand Dalberg's wife.
Now, Major Moore, l am ready" and
she put her hand upon his arm.
| But Moore never moved. Instead, he
looked at me for orders.
Language is utterly inadequate to de-
scribe my feelings ut that moment, so
|
than words. 1 know l had an almost
uncomfortable impulse for violence
and fancy Courtney feared it, for he
stepped quickly over and put his hand
on my shoulder.
THANK you, old man." l said. Then
l looked at the princess.
She was leaning carelessly back In
her chair, watching the Spencer wom-
an through half closed eyes, a bright
flush on each cheek and a faint smile,
half sheer, half amusement, on her lips.
Suddenly she looked at me, and the
smile flashed out into such one as she
had given me in the royal box.
My heart give great bound-I knew
she trusted me still. l turned to the
woman in black.
rs 1t possible, madame, that you
claim to be my wife?" | asked.
She dropped Moore's arm and took a
step toward me-and, as l live, there
were tears in her eyes.
what has changed you, Armand?"
she asked. "Why do you fiout me SOP
| stared at her. woman, you must
! be crazy! l Sald.
She put out her hand nppealingly.
"You don't mean that, dear, surelyY'
And now the tears were in her voice
too.
"What / mean. madame, is that you
are either crazy or playing some game"
I answered CURLY.
She brushed aside the tears and gave
me look of almost heartbroken ap-
peal.~~>
tWhy( do you deny me, ArmandT
she cried. "IIave ! grown ugly in the
last few months? Has the beauty you
used to praise turned so soon to ash
esI"
Unfortunately for me her beauty had
not turned to ashes. She was ut that
very moment the handsomest woman
had ever seen save only the princess.
The slender figure, the magnificent
neck and shoulders, the roll upon roll
Of jet black hair, the almost classic
face, and all In distress and trouble.
changed my manner.
my dear Mrs. Spencer" I said kind
ly, mo one may deny your beauty and
l least of all. But do deny that l am
your husband. You are evidently i'll
and laboring under some queer halluci-
nation"
She shook her head. "You know per-
fectly well, Armand, l am not Ill nor
under delusion, "she said and looked
me straight in the eyes.
"Then, madame, you are wonderful
actress" l answered.
Again the tears welled up, and one
trickled slowly down her cheek. She
turned quickly and made as though to
60. But Courtney stayed her.
my dear madame" he said, with
that gracious courtesy of his, which /
have never seen equaled by courtier
of any court, may ask you ques-
tionW
She inclined her head in answer and
waited.
"You have claimed royal duke OF
valeria as your husband, and he has
denied the claim. 1t is most serious
matter. 1t was done in the presence OF
many witnesses, and your words OF
| acme of them were doubtless overhea I'd