Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1912-04-18

lncreuuiouS look was gone. Bright an
ger famed instead.
do you still persist, sir, that you do
not know my rightful name?" 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 trihe? If your name
be no longer Madeline Spencer tell me
what it is. l shall be profoundly glad
to call you by it 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. will you tell
me If this man here" waving her hand
toward me, sis 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
81 believe so, madame" said his lord
ship stitiiy
"Thank you" she said. "And now
But | broke in. "Madame,' l said
sharply you have presumed beyond
forbearance. Major Moore, will you es-
cort the lady to her companions?
Moore stepped forward and, bowling
very low, offered his arm. Like flash
her face changed and she met him with
smile.
Just moment, if you please" she
said, with softest accents. Then, with
studied elaboration, she turned her
back on me and swept the princess an
elaborate courtesy.
"Your royal highness may pardon my
intrusion" she said, when | 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 at that moment, so
L oiitii Aiot tlS Is DctleE
than words l know l had an almost
uncomfortable impulse for violence
and l fancy Courtney feared it, for he
stepped quickly over and put his hand
on my shoulder
''Thank you, old man." said Then
| looked at the princess.
She was leaning carelessly back in
her chair, watching the Spencer wom-
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 the
smile flashed out into such a one as she
had given me in the royal box.
My heart gave great bound-I knew
she trusted me still l turned to the
woman in black.
'ls it possible, madame. that you
claim to be my wife?" | asked
She dropped Moores arm and took q
step toward me-and, as l live, there
were tears in her eyes
What has changed you, Armand?'
she asked. "Why do you 1iout me SOP"
| stared at her. "Woman, you must
be crazy." / said
She put out her hand appealingly.
'1ou don't mean that, dear, surey?"
And now the tears were in her voice
too
What ! mean, madame, is that you
are either crazy or playing some game"
l answered CURLY.
She brushed aside the tears and gave
me look of almost heartbroken ap-
peal.
"Why do you deny me, Armand?"
she cried. Have | grown ugly in the
last few months? Has the beauty you
used to praise turned so soon to ash
esq"
Unfortunately for me her beauty had
not turned to ashes. She was at that
very moment the handsomest woman l
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. l
changed my manner.
"My dear Mrs. Spencer" said kind
II, mo one may deny your beauty and
least of all. But do deny that am
your husband You are evidently ill
and laboring under some queer halluci-
nation"
She shook her head. "You know per-
fectly well, Armand, / am not i'll nor
under a delusion, she said and looked
me straight in the eyes.
Then, madame, you are wonderful
actress" / answered.
Again the tears welled up, and one
trickled slowly down her cheek. She
turned quickly and made as though to
go. But Courtney stayed her.
MY dear madame" he said, with
that gracious courtesy of his, which l
have never seen equaled by courtier
of any court, may l ask you a ques-
tion?"
She inclined her head in answer and
waited.
you have claimed a royal duke of
Valeria as your husband, and he has