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

DO you still persist, sir. that you do
not know my rightful name:" She de
n,;Inded.
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 Iritle: Ii your name
be no longer Madeline Spencer tell me
what 1t is. shall be profoundly glad
to call you 10y it or any name than
Spencer" added
swered 1t. Then suddenly she turned
and faced those al the table.
Your pardon She said. speaking
straight at Lord l;adnor. will you tell
me II this man here" waving her hand
toward NE, is Major Armand Dal-
berg:'
Lord Radnor bowed. THAT gentle
man ID his royal hiehness the Grand
Duke Armand Of Naleriu.' he said.
"Erstwhile major Of engineers i'll the
American army she asked.
II believe So madame" said his lord
ship stiffiy.
THANK you she said. And now
But / broke in. "Madamc," ! said
sharply, You have presumed beyond
fOrbearance. Major Moore. will you es-
cOrt the lady 10 her companions:'
Moore stepped forward and. bowinG
very low, offered his arm. Like Il flash
her face changed and she met him with
smile.
Just moment, if you please she
said, with softcst accents. Then, with
studied deliberation, she turned her
back Oh HE aud swept the princess an
elaborate courtesy.
"Your royal highness may pardon my
intrusion she said, when | tell you
that l am Armand Dalbers's wife.
Now, Major Moore, am ready and
she put her hand upon his arm.
But Moore never moved. Instead. he
looked ut NE for orders.
Language is utterly inadequate to de.
scribe my feelings at that moment. So
I shall not try. Imagination Is better
than words. | know | 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." said. Thei
looked at the princess.
She was leaning carelessly back ir
her chair. watching the Spencer woE
an through half closed eyes. bright
flush on each cheek and faint smile
half sneer, half amusement, on her lips
Suddenly she looked at me, and thu
smile flashed out into such one as sh'
had given me in the royal box.
My heart gave great bound-I knew
she trusted me still. turned to th'
woman in black.
rs 1t possible, madame. that 20,
claim to be my wife," asked.
She dropped Moore's arm and took
step toward me-and, us i live. ther
were teal4'in her eyes.
What has changed you, Armand? !?
she asked. "Why do you flout me SO?
stared at her. woman. you mus
be crazy" said.
She put out her hand appealingly
"You don't mean that. dear. surely :
And now the tears were in her voic
too.
What l mean. madame. is that yo1
are either crazy or playing some game.
| answered curtly.
She brushed aside the tears and CAV
me a look Of almost hcartbrokcn mp
peal.
why do you deny me. Armand:
she cried. "Have grown ugly in tn
last few months? Has the beauty yo
used to praise turned so soon to ash
es:"
Unfortunately for me her beauty ha
not turned to ashes. She was nt tia
very moment the handsomest woman
had ever seen. save only the princess
The slender figure. the masniiiccn
neck and shoulders. the roll upon 70
of jet black hair. the almost classi
face. and all in distress and trouble.
changed my manner.
My dear Mrs. Spencer" l said kline
ly. no one may deny your beauty an
least of all. But do deny that | Al
your husband You are evidently /
and laboring under some queer halluc
nation
She shook her head. You know pei
fectly well, Armand. l am not i'll no
under a delusion, "she said and locke
me straight in the eyes
Then, madame. you are wonderfu
actress" answered.
Again the tears welled up. and on
trickled slowly down her cheek. Sh
turned quickly and made as though t
go. Bat Courtney stayed her
My dear madame" he said. wit
that gracious courtesy of his. which
have never seen equaled by courtie
of any court. may ask you que:
tom
She inclined her head in answer an
waited.
You have claimed Il royal duke c
Valeria as your husband. and he ha
denied the claim. 1t is II most SeriOu