The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1912-12-25

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slowly, upon whether you are going
TO marry me or not"
For n second or two Melanie's eyes
refused to lift; but Alexis Triumphant
ed figure, his steady gaze, above all,
his dominating will, forced her to look
up. There he was, smiling, strong,
big, kindly. Melanie started to smile,
but for the second time that morning
her eyes Unexpectedly filed with
/ tears.
81 can't talk to you towering over
me like that" she said at last softly,
her smile winning against the tears
Aleck did not move. ct don't want
you to talk to- me about 1t; all want
is for you to say yes"
"But I'm not going to say 'yes;' at
least, don't think am. DO sit
down."
Aleck started straight for the gilt
chair.
ooh, no; not thatl You are four
times too big for that chair. Be-
sides, it's quite valuable: it's Louis
Quinze."
Aleck INDUCED in a vicious kick at
the ridiculous thing, picked up an
enormous leatherbottomed chair
made apparently of lead, and placed it
jauntily almost beside Miss Reynier's
chair. but facing the other way.
This is much better, thank you"
he said. Nov tell me why you think
you are not going to say yes to
me-"
Melanie's mood of softness had not
left her; but sitting there, face to
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. 1t was with dignity, an aloof-
ness, 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.
'In the first place." Melanie began,
you ought to know more about me
who am, and all that sort of thing.
am, in one sense, not at all what
seem to be; and that, in the case of
marriage, is a dangerous thing"
at is an important thing, at least.
But I do know who you are; l knew
long ago. Since you never referred
to the matter, of course / never did.
You are the Princess Auguste Stepha-
ME of Krolvetz, cousin of the present
Duke Stephen, called King of Krol-
vetz. You are even in line for the
throne, though there are two or three
lives between. You have incurred
the displeasure of Duke Stephen 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 submits
sion to the duke. There is no alterna-
tive, if you return"
Melanie was silent. Aleck lifted the
hand which he held. touched it gently
with his lips and laid it back beside
it's fellow on Melanies lap. Then he
rose and lifted both hands before her,
half in fun and half in earnestness,
as if he were a courtier doing rever-
ence to his queen.
"See, your Highness, how ready |
am to do you homage. Only smile on
the most devoted of your servants"
Melanie could not resist his gentle
gaiety. 1t was as if they were two
children playing at story. Aleck, IN
such mood as this, was as much fun
as dancing bear, and in five minu-
ties more he had won peals of laughter
from Melanie. 1t was what he wanted
to brighten her spirits. So present
ly he came back to the big chair,
though he did not again take her
hand.
81 knew you were titled and impor-
tant, Melanie, and at first l 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 me think 1t
was possible for us both to forget it,
or at least TO ignore it. ! haven't a
gold throne to give you; but you're
the only woman I've ever wanted to
marry, and l wasn't going to give up
the chance until you said So"
"Do you know also that If / marry
out of my rank and without the con-
sent Of Duke Stephen, | shall forfeit
all my fortune?"
"'Cut off without q cent?" Aleck
laughed, but presently paused, embar'
81, he haA
begun his plea. 81, you know, haven't
millions, but there's decent income
even for two. And then / can always
go to work and earn something" he
smiled at her. giving information to
a thirsty world about the gill-slit. as
you call it. 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 uneasily about
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