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

| it tomorrow"
"Thank you, madame" Courtney an
| swered.
Then LotZen took hand
will madame permit me also to ask
| her question:" he said.
Certainly" she answered.
"Was the marriage secret?' he asked.
| The answer was instant. cit was
| private, but not secret. Are there any
more questions, messieurs?" she asked.
No ono answered
| Then, with your permission, l will
obey my husbands orders and with
draw" she said mockingly. "Major
Moore. your ARM
When she was gone 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 1t was SO totally unexpected.
Then, addressing particularly the Rad
nors, l said:
THE supper is spoiled beyond repair,
fear, but l shall ask you to go on
WIN 1t, for wish to acquaint you with
some facts in the life of the woman
who claims me as her husband"
we are quite ready to accept your
highness' simple denial" said Lord
Radnor.
II prefer you hear my story first" l
answered.
Then | told them in detail, what l
had only outlined to the princess, con-
corning Madeline Spencer. When had
finished Lord Radnor shook his gray
head gravely.
His highness of Lotzen is quite
right" he said "You never married
that woman. Either she is black
mailer or she is doing this in pure re-
venge. What's your notion, Court
ney?"
The marriage story is, of course,
pure lie," said Courtney, 'but, there,
l quit. never try to guess woman's
purpose-and a pretty woman's least
| of ALL"
| Then the princess arose and, taking
Lord Radnor's arm, she led the way
down the garden. | came last with
Lady Radnor When we reached the
exit Dehra insisted upon waiting until
the 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.
His highness will drive with me-"
she said, "Major Moore. will you es-
cort the countess?"
But, Dehra"- | protested
She was in the brougham, now
You will not permit me to drive
alone to the palace?' she said.
But, Dehra''- began again.
She reached over and took my hand.
Still l hesitated.
Come, sweetheart" she said softly.
could resist no longer. i sprang
in, the door slammed, and we were
alone together.
No, not alone, either. The Spencer
woman was there with us. before us,
all around us. 81 am Armand Dali
berg's wife" was pounding in my
brain.
Then | felt a soft little hand slip
into mine. A perfumed hair tress
touched my cheek. and the sweetest
voice to me on earth whispered in my
ear:
Don't | get my kiss now?"
| flung my arm about her and caught
drew back.
God help me, Dehra, l may not"
said. "Did you not hear that woman
claim me as her husband?"
But she only pressed the closer
was in the very corner of the carriage
now; could retreat no farther And
maybe l was glad. think was
but that's no reason" she insisted.
"You are not her husband"
"You believe that, dear?" / cried.
She put her arms about my neck
and kissed me almost fiercely on the
lips, then suddenly drew back, and,
with both hands pressed against my
breast, she viewed me at arms length.
Believe it," she said. Believe it?
| never believed anything else"
l took her hands and reverently
touCIeu llleul W my lOFeueau Ine0 nelQ
them tight.
after all these years God would not
send you to me just to mock my pray
ers," she added.
But the certificates" objected.
"a lie or a forgery" she said scorn.
fully.
drew her head upon my shoulder.
Sweetheart" whispered, may kiss
you nowY'
She lifted her dear race and looked
up into mine with glistening eyes, her
lips half parted. My own eyes, too,
were wet, l think.
eyes, Armand-now and always"
she answered.
And so held her for moment, then
bent and kissed hey. And that kiss is
on my lips this instant and will be I'M
til they numb in death.