Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1913-06-18

were revolving with IL. ddQ ne Ueen
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 it was. his glance
swept without studying.
II 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, II have here to
consider" indicating paper he held.
"a rather important matter" He wait
ed moment before adding: "A mat
ter that concerns-you!"
THAT concerns me?" Her hands
frightened.
yes" if, s I'VE
"Since 1t is Important" she said
hastily, would 1t not-shall we not
leave it until tomorrow? IL am
rather tired tonight, and g. 5
"'What?" he returned In the same
unruffled tone Would you postpone
considering the command OF the
King!"" .5
"Command!" she REPEATEDLY nervous.
ly. "Of the King ?''$8 {.
"Or request" which is the same.
But she began, and stopped;
held by a sound. as OF some one NOV
ing, near the window. si {.
Shall read 1t, 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 hia
kinsman. the Marquisde Beauvilliers.'"
Changer" she echoed.
Yes; to hasten. 1T. II the Cover
nor had expected from her hostility
or perverseness. he was agreeably
disappointed; the girl evinoed neither
pleasure nor disapproval:: only stood
in the same attitude Of expectancy
with head half turned.
His Ma1esty's reasons for this
step Z y5z'ss 55s5l. ,5:5..
"Can't we--cant we, at least. post
pone considering them?"
I
What better time than the present.
But don't want
'Elise!" A slight frown appeared
on his brow. His Majesty. 2 once
more looking at the paper, hints al
an important political appointment he
desires to- confer on the Marquis dc
Beauvilliers which would take him
abroad but whether as ambassador
korS as governor In the colonies. his
Majesty does not Disclose Obviously
however, the bestowing Of the honor
a high one. no doubt!-depends On
his early marriage, and vile to
grace the position. The letter.
weighing It, els a tentative one; the
courteous precursor Of a fuller com
lmunication when he has learned our
Iyour-pleasure., = @
She. did not at once express it:
indeed. at the moment. seemed scarce
ly to have comprehended:s her glance
which had swept furtiyely 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 well lighted in the center
by q great Venetian candelabrum, the
far. ends Of the spacious hall lay
somewhat In obscurity; notably the
space adorned with tropical plants
and a life-size bronze before the en-
trance to the balcony. It was on this
dim recess the Governor permitted his
eye to rest:, at first casually; then
with sudden appearance Of interest
"Eh 7" he muttefed. and before ny
lady could prevent him, II she had
been mindful so to do. walked quickly