The Lamar register., 1912-11-20


written there. As II was. his glance
swept without studying.
II hoped to find you here" he be
gan complacently; hoped that you
had not yet retired"
She made some faint response. but
/ her voice. despite herself. wavered
Whereupon his look sharpened; then
almost Immediately relapsed; con
straint on her part could easily be
accounted for; not many hours had
elapsed since their last interview.
"Yes," he continued, Il have here to
consider" indicating a paper he held,
"a rather important matter" He wait
ed a moment before adding: "A mat
ter that concerns-you!"
THAT concerns mel" Her hands
frightened.
yes"
Since It 10 important" she said
hastily. would 1t not-shall We not
leave 1t until tomorrow? II am
rather tired tonight. and"
"Whatf" he returned in the same
unrufiied tone. Would you postpone
considering the command Of the
King!"
Command" she repeatedly nervous
ly. "Of the King?"
"Or request" which is the same"
But" she began. and stopped: :
held by q sound. as Of some one NOV.
ing, near tho window.
Shall I read It, Or"
She had started to look behind her:
but abruptly caught herself. and
seemed about to frame some irrele
want response. whom his voice went
on: THE King desires to change the
date set for your marriage with his
kinsman. the Marquis do Beauvilliers.'
"Changs" she echoed.
"Yes: to hashsa It" II the Cover
nor had expected from her hostility
or perversensss, he was agreeably
disappointed: the girl evinced neither
pleasure nor disapproval; only stood
In the same attitude Of expectancy.
with head half turned.
His MAjesty's reasons for TIL
step"
Cant we-can't we. at least. post
pone considering them?"
Again he regarded her more closely
What better time than the PRESENT.
But don't want"
| "Elise!" A slight frown appeared
on his brow. His Majesty" once
more looking at the paper. hints Al
an important political appointment HI
desires to confer on the Marquis d.
Beauvilliers which would take him
abroad; but whether As ambassador
or as governor in the colonies, hi
Majesty does not disclose. Obviously
however. the bestowing Of the honor
q high one. no doubt!-depends OF
his early marriage, and a wife L
grace the position. Tho letter,
Weighing 1t, ''is a tentative one: thu
courteous precursor Of q fuller com
munication when he has learned our
your-pleasure."
She did not at once express 1t
Indeed. at the moment. seemed scarce
ly to have comprehended; her glance
which had swept furtively benin,
when he was studying the document
returned more uneasily to his. but no
before he had caught the backwar,
look.
"WellT he said with q touch Of a.
perity. "Well?" he repeated. whel
his gaze. following the direction her
had taken. paused.
Although well lighted in the cente
by a great Venetian candelabrum. tn
far ends of the spacious hall Ia,
somewhat in obscurity; notably tn
space adorned with tropical plant
and a life-size bronze before the en-
trance to the balcony. 1t was on thi
dim recess the Governor permitted hi
eye to rest; at first casually; the
with sudden appearance Of interest
"Eh?" he muttered, and before m
lady could prevent him. II she ha
been mindful 30 to do, walked quickl
forward; but as he advanced, a whit
figure stepped boldly out from benin
that partial screen. With a sharp E,
clamation, which found a startle
echo from the girl. the Governo
stopped; stepped back as far as til
table.
What mummery IL this?" His Lip
shaped the words uncertainty; hi
hand. reaching out with that fri
startled Instinct Of danger. touche
the bell.
, your Ladyship rang?" On the Of
posite side Of the room was the doc
thrown suddenly open. The look {
expectancy on the face Of tho con