The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1913-01-24

"0e away. 0opnfos saiu @os
"Sorye luncheon to Madame ReynieT
alono. shall wait; and you'll have
To- walt. too. pccr mas!" She looked
scrutinixingiy nj Aleck. "cr sre you.
pc-haps. hungry I'm not going to talk
TO n hungry mar" she announced.
Not n bite til I've heard chsstes
thirty.nine!" said Aleck.
In a moment she became sers0uf
again.
Il have lived In England and here In
America" she began. long enough 70
understand that the differences be-
tween your people and mine are more
than the differences Of language ara
climate; they are ingrained In our
habits OF thought, our education. our
judgment Of life and OF people. MY
childhood and youth were wholly dif'
ferent from yours. or from what an
American girls could be; and yet !
think I understand your American
women, though I suppose ] am not IN
the least like them
But I, on the other hand. have seen
the dark side OF life. and particularly
OF marriage. When I was a child
was more important in my coun-
try than ! am now, since II seemed
then that my father would succeed 70
the throne. | was brought up TO feei
that ! was not n woman. but a pawn
In the game of politics. When ] had
been out of the convent for a year or
more, I loved a youth. and was loved
In return. but u marriage was
laughed at, put aside. declared impos'
sible. because he was Of a rank In
ferior to my own. My 'over disap-
peared. ! know not where or how.
Then affairs changed. My father died,
and II transtired that | nal been Of
fcially betrothed since childhood to
Duke Stephens brother, the Count
Lorenzo. The duke was my guardian.
and there was no one eles 10 whom ]
could appeal: but the verj' week set
for the wedding I faced the duke and
declared ! would never marry the
count. His Highness rhgej and
stormed. but I told him O few things
| knew about his brother. and l made
him see that | was in earnest. The
next day I left Krolyetz. and the duke
gave out that | was III and had gone
TO n health resort; that the wedding
was postponed. I went TO France and
hid myself with my aunt. took one OF
own middle names ana her sur
name, and have been known for some
time. as you know. as Me'anie Rey-
nicr."
Il know you wish to ten me all
these things. Melanie. but I do not
want you to recall painful matters Of
the past now" said Aleck gently.
You shall tell me of them at another
time"
The color frightened in Melanie's
face. her eyes glowed.
NO. not another time: you must un-
derstand now, especially because all
this preface leads me tc what I really
want to say TO you. II Is this: ! do
not now care for the man | loved al
nineteen. nor for any of the other men
OF my country who have been pleased
to honor me with their regard. But
eve since those early days | have had
n dream OF a home-a place different
from Duke Stephens home, different
from the homes OF many people OF my
rank. My dream has a husband In Il
who Is a companion, n friend. my
equal In love. my superior In
strength" Melanie's eyes lifted to
meet Alexis, and they were full OF an
almost tragic passion; but II was a
passion for comprehension and love.
not primarily for the man sitting be.
fore her. She added simply: And
for my dream I'd give all the wealth.
all tho love. have"
The room was very stsIl. Aieck Van
Camp sat quiet and grave. his fore.
head resting on his hand. He looked
up. finally, at Melanie. who was be-
side him. pale and quite worn.
Poor child! You needed me more
than thought" was what nc said.
But Melanie had not quite finished.
mo. that is not enough. thar I should
need you. You must also need me,
want what alone can give you, match
my love with yours. And this, I
think. you do not do. You calculate.
you remain cool, you plan your life
like a campaign, and l am part OF your
equipment. You are a thousand times
better than Count Lorenzo, but I think
your principles OF reasoning are the
same. You do not love me enough.
and that Is why can not say yes"
Aleck had taken this last blow
standing. He walked slowly around
and stood before Melanie. much as he
had stood before her when he first
asked her to marry him: and this
time. as he looked down on her fair.
ness. there was infinite gentleness and
patience and love In his eyes. He
bent over, lifted Melanie's two hands.
and drew her bodily out OF her seat
She was impassive.. Her quick alert
ness. her vitality. her passionate seri.
BUSINESS. had slipped away. Aleck put
his arms around her very tenderly
and kissed her lips; not q lovers kiss
exactly. and yet nothing else. Then
he looked into her face.
CTo BE coNTINUED.)