Polk County news-gazette. (Benton, Tenn.) 190?-191?, 1913-07-10

were revolving with it. Had he been
more watchful of her, less bent on
some matter uppermost in his mind
he could not have failed to mark the
pallor of his face. or the agitation
written there. AS 1t was, his glance
swept without studying.
81 hoped to find you here" he be-
gan complacently; hoped that you
had not yet retired"
She made some faint response, but
her voice, despite herself. wavered.
Eyes," he continued, Il have here to
consider" indicating paper he held
"a rather important matter" He wait
ed a moment before adding: "A mat
ter that concerns-you!"
THAT concerns me?" Her hands
frightened.
yes"
Since 1t is important" she said
hastily, would 1t not-shall we not
leave 1t until tomorrow? Il am
rather tired tonight, and"
"WhatT he returned in the same
fuRFsltaed tone. would you postpone
considering the command of the
King!"
Command" she REPEATEDLY nervous
| ly. "Of the King?"
"Or request" which is the same"
"But-" she began, and stopped;
held by a sound, as of some one NOV
ing, near the window.
Shall read it, or"
She had started to look behind her;
but abruptly caught herself, and
seemed about to frame some irrele'
want response, when his voice went
on "The King desires to change the
date set for your marriage with his
kinsman, the Marquis de Beauvilliers.
Changer" she echoed.
"Yes; to hasten It," If the Cover
nor had expected from her hostility
or perverseness, he was agreeably
disappointed; the girl evinced neither
pleasure nor disapproval; only STOOD
In the same attitude Of expectancy
with head half turned.
"His Majesty's reasons for this
step"
Cant we-cant we, at least, post
pone considering them"
Again he regarded her more closely
What better time than the present.
But ! don't want"
"Elise!" A slight frown appeared
on his brow. His Majesty" once
more looking at the paper. hints at
an important political appointment he
desires to confer on the Marquis de
Beauvilliers which would take him
abroad; but whether as ambassador
or as governor in the colonies, his
Majesty does not disclose Obviously
however, the bestowing Of the honor
high one, no doubt!-depends on
his early marriage, and a wife to
grace the position. The letter,
weighing 1t. is tentative one; the
courteous precursor of a fuller com
munication when he has learned our
your-pleasure.
she did not at once express It;
indeed, at the moment, seemed scarce
ly to have comprehended: her glance,
which had swept furtively behind
when he was studying the document,
returned more uneasily to his, but not
before he had caught the backward
look.
"Well?" he said with a touch of as.
perity. "Well?" he repeated, when
his gaze, following the direction hers
had taken, paused.
Although we'll lighted in the center
by a great Venetian candelabrum, the
far ends of the spacious hall lay
somewhat in obscurity; notably the
space adorned with tropical plants
and life.size bronze before the en-
trance to the balcony. 1t was on this
dim recess the Governor permitted his
eve to rest; at first casually; then
with a sudden appearance of interest.
"Eh?" he muttered. and before my
lady could prevent him, II she had
been mindful so to do, walked quickly