The Julesburg grit-advocate., 1912-04-18


swereu
Then LotZen took IA hand
VIII madame permit NE also 10 ask
her Il question:" he SAID
Certainly" she answered.
Was the marriage secret" lie asked.
The answer wis instant. 1t was
private, bur not secret. Are there any
No one answered.
Then. with your permission. ! will
obey my husbands orders and with
draw" she said mockin-!y. Major
Moore. your arm
When she WAS zone LotZen turned to
me and held out his hand.
I'm with You, Armand he said
heartily "She's no wife of yours. Ger
titicate to the contrary notwithstand-
ing
| thanked him gratefully, the more
so since ii was 81 totally unexpected.
| Then. addressing particularly the Rad
nors. | said:
'The supper is spoiled beyond repair.
] fear. but ! shall ask you to 90 on
/ !
some facts in the life of the woman
who claims me as her husband"
I'VE are quite ready 10 accept your
highness' simple denial" said Lord
Radnor.
Il prefer you hear my story first"
answered.
Then told them in detail. what
| liz, 81. .,.,
cerning Madeline Spencer. When had
finished Lord Radnor shook his gray
head gravely.
Ills highness of I.otZen is quite
right he said you never married
that woman. Either she is a black
mailer or she is doing this in pure re-
vengc. What's your notion. Court
ney?'
THE marriage story Is. of course. II
pure lie,' said Courtney. but. there.
quit. l never try to guess n woman's
purpose-and pretty woman's least
of ALL"
Then the princess arose and. taking
Lord Isadnor's arm, she led the way
down the garden. | came last with
iSity iNiuloT W ilel we Tca'iieu III"
exit Dehra insisted upon waiting until
tue 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.
Ills highness will drive with me, ;
she said. Major Moore. will you es
cort the countess?'
But, Dehra"- I protested.
. She was in the brougham, now.
. You will not permit me to drive
alone to the pnlace?" she said
, but. Dehra"- began again.
She reached over and took my hand
Still ! hesitatcd.
Come, sweetheart" she said softly
l could resist no longer. l sprans
in, the door slammed, and we were
q alone together.
No. not alone, either. The Spence
/, woman was there with us. before us
&, all around us. II am Armand Dnl
+ bergs wife" was pounding in my
brain.
Then l felt soft little hand sliI
). into mine A perfumed hair tres.
q touched my cheek. and the sweetest
voice to me on earth whispered in my
, ear:
), Don't I get my kiss now:'
flung my arm about her and cnurh
!, her close, then looscd her sharply ant
drew back
God help me. DeEra. l may not"
.r;I I,nt !
a claim me as her husband?"
But she only pressed the closer.
was in the very corner of the carriac,
now: could retreat no farther. Ant
, maybe WAS glad. think was.
+ But that's no reason she insisted
I "You are not her husband"
you believe that. dear" / cried
+ She put her arms about my nccl
/ and kissed me almost tiercely on tn,
= lips. then suddenly drew back. and
, with both hands pressed against my
breast. she viewed me at arms length
"Eelievc it," she said believe 1t
! | never believed anything else
, took her hands and reverentl,
! touched them to my forehead. then helt
+ them tight.
After all these years God would no
;. send you to me just to mock my pray
= ers.' she added.
:, But the certificates" l objected.
"A lie or a forgc.y." she said scorn
fully.
drew her head upon my shoulder
q "Sweetheart," whispered may kis
o you now:'
n She lifted her dear face and locke,
up into mine with gis:ening eyes. he
h lips half parted. My own eyes, too
were wet. think.
p Yes. Armand-now and always
. she answered.
And so held her for Il moment, thel
!, bent and kissed her And that kiss i
Oh my lips this instant and will be uu
r til they numb in death.
S Her Word and Her Certificate.