Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1913-05-23

understand that the differences be-
tween your people and mine are more
than the differences Of language and
climate; they are ingrained In our
habits of thought, our education, our
Judgment of life and Of people. My
childhood and youth were wholly DIFF
ferent from yours, or from what an
American girls could be; and yet
think understand your American
women, though l suppose / am not in
the least like them
But |. on the other hand, have seen
the dark side of life, and particularly
OF marriage. When / was a child l
was more important In my own coun-
try than ! am now, since It seemed
then that my father would succeed to
the throne. l was brought up to feel
tnat i was not a woman, but a pawn
In the game of politics. When l had
oeen out OF the convent for a year or
more, l loved youth, and was loved
In return, but our marriage was
laughed at, put aside, declared impos-
slole, because he was OF a rank in
rerlor to my own. My lover disap-
peared, / know not where or how.
linen affairs changed My father died,
ana IL transpired that l had been Of
hcially betrothed since childhood to
Duke Stephens brother, the Count
Lorenzo. The duke was my guardian.
and there was no one else to whom /
could appeal; but the very week set
or the wedding / faced the duke and
declared would never marry the
count. His Highness ragged and
'tormed, but I told him a few things
knew about his brother, and made |
lin see that l was in earnest. The
text day left Krolvetz, and the duke |
ave out that was iii and had gone |
o health resort; that the wedding |
vas postponed. went to France and
I'D myself with my aunt, took one of
ny own middle names and her sur
anne, and have been known for some
line, as you know, as Melanie Rey-
ier."
know you wish to tell me all
hese things, Melanie, but 1 do not
'ant you to recall painful matters of
he past now" said Aleck gently.
You shall tell me of them at another
me-"
The color frightened in Melanie's
ice, her eyes glowed.
NO, not another time; you must un-
erstand now, especially because all
lis preface leads me to what really
ant to say to you. 1t is this: l do
ot now care for the man l loved at
neteen, nor for any of the other men
my country who have been pleased
honor me with their regard. But
'er since those early days 1 have had
dream of home-a place different
ON Duke Stephens home, different
ON the homes of many people of my
NIX. My dream has husband In 1t
no is a companion, friend, my
ual in love, my superior In
rength." Melanie's eyes lifted to
Get Alexis, and they were full of an
most tragic passion; but 1t was a
ssion for comprehension and love,
t primarily for the man sitting be-
re her. She added simply: "And
my dream I'd give all the wealth,
the love, i have"
The room was very still. Aieck Van
mp sat quiet and grave, his fore
ad resting on his hand. He looked
, finally, at Melanie, who was be- :,
lie him, pale and quite worn. =
Poor child! You needed me more Il
IN / thought" was what he said.
But Melanie had not quite finished. .
o, that Is not enough, that / should =
ed you. You must also need me, \
mt what / alone can give you, match y
love with yours. And this, l a
NIX, you do not do. You calculate, y
remain cool, you plan your life =
e campaign, and am part of your "
iipment. You are thousand times q
ter than Count Lorenzo, but think ~
II principles of reasoning are the I'll
ne. You do not love me enough. ~
that is why can not say yes" G
Aleck had taken this last blow y
nding. He walked slowly around
stood before Melanie, much as he y
stood before her when he first
ed her to marry him; and this
e, as he looked down on her fair.
s, there was infinite gentleness and
fence and love in his eyes. He an
t over, lifted Melanie's two hands. OF
drew her bodily out of her seat. Ca
was impassive. Her quick alert. ia'
s, her vitality, her passionate seri. oe
ness, had slipped away. Aleck put De
arms around her very tenderly an
kissed her lips; not lovers kiss pc
city, and yet nothing else. Then ee
looked into her face. ties
CTO BE CONTINUEDl gr'