Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1913-04-25

east I don't think I am. Do sit
,
Aleck started straight for the gilt
lhair.
"Oh. no: not that! You are four
times too big for that chair. Be
sides. It's quite valuable; it's q Louis
QuinEe."
Aleck INDUCED in q vicious kick at
ridiculous thing. picked up an
enormous leather bottomed chair
made apparently OF lead. and placed It
almost beside Miss R%eynier's
chair. but facing the other way.
This lie much better. thank you."
be said. Now tell me why you think
you are not going to say yes to
me-"
Melanie's mood Of sottness had not
left her: but sitting there. face to
face with this man. face to face with
his seriousness, his masculine Will
and strength. she felt that she had
yet to struggle for, some
deep personal right to be acknowt
edged. 1t was with a dignity. an aloof'
ness, that was quite real. yet very
sweet, that she met this American
lover. He had her hand in his nrm
grasp. but he was waiting for her to
speak. He was giving her the hear
ing that was. in his opinion. her right
"In the first place." Melanie began
you ought to know more about me
who | am, and all that sort OF thing
| am. in n sense, not at all what
seem to be; and that, in the case OF
marriage. IL . dangerous thing"
1T is an important thing. at least
But l do know who you are; knew
long ago. Since you never referred
to the matter, of course I never did
You are the Princess Augusts stepha
ME Of Krolvstx, cousin Of the prosen'
Duke Stephen. called King OF kroi
vetE. You are sven in line for thu
throne, though there are two or three
lives between. You have incurred
the displeasure Of Duke Stephen ant
are practically an exile from you
country"
"A voluntary exile" Melanie cor
rected.
voluntary only in the sense tina
you prefer exile to absolute submis
sion to the duke. There 10 no alterna
tive. II you return"
Melanie was silent. Aleck lifted tn
hand which he held. touched 1t sentl,
with his lips and laid 1t back besid'
it's fellow on Melarie's lap. Then h
o 8 and lifted both hands before hel
half in fun and half In ~earnestness
as II he we're a courtier doing revei
ence to his queen.
see. your Highness. how ready
am to do you homage! Only smile o
the most devoted of your servants"
Melanie could not resist his gent
gaiety. 1t was a. II they were tw
children playing at a story. Aleck.
such a mood a. this. was a. much fu
a. q dancing bear. and in ive MINI
tes more he had won peals OF laughte
from Melanie. II was what he wante
to brighten her spirits. 80 presen
liy he came back to the big chat
though he did not again take h
hand.
II knew you were titled and impo
tant, Melanie, and at irst I though
that sealed my ase entirely. But 20
seemed to forget your state. SCENE
not to care 80 very much about II
and perhaps that made me think
was possible for us both to forget !
or at least to ignore 1t. / haven't
gold throne to give you; but your
the only woman I've eve wanted
marry, and l wasn't going to give u
the chance until you said 3d."
do you know also that II I mari
out Of my rank and without the CO
sent Of Duke Stephen, l shall forte
all my f~ortune?"
"'Cut of without a cent?" Alec
laughed, but presently paused, emba
raised for the first time since he hs
begun his plea. II. you know, haven
millions, but there's q decent incom
even for two. And then / can alwa!
60 to work and earn something"
smiled at her, giving information
q thirsty world about the gillslit.
you call 1t. II would be fun, earniI
money for you: I'd like to do It,"
Melanie smiled back at him, but lie
her chair and wandered uneasily abo
the room, a. II turning q difficult mi
ter over in her mind. Aleck sto'
by, watching. Presently she return
to her chair, pushed him gently ba'
into his seat and dropped down best
him. Before she spoke, she touch
her fingers lightly, almost loving
along the blue veins of his big ha,
lying on the arm Of the chair. T
hand turned, like a magnet sprir
and imprisoned hers.
mo, dear friend, not yet" said N
LAME, drawing away her hand, yet Il
very quickly, after all. There ia mu
yet to nay to you, and l have be
wondering how to say 1t. but I sh
do It now. Like the heroes In
novels" she smiled again. " | am
ingto tell you the story OF my life
Good" said Aleck. "All ready
|, chapter one. But your maid wal
you at the door"