The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1914-07-31
CHAPTER discontinued.

q CHAPTER lll-Continued.
While my mind hurriedly ran |
through all the possibilities of my sit
uation, the elder gentleman bowed Es- I
telle to the seat which the usher Of
fered them and tremendously depart
ed, to take up his station at the side
of the French ambassador, among a
little group of foreign dignitaries near
the high altar He brushed past me
in his high buff boots-and, for the
present, at least, my purse was lost
to me- l prayed fervently that his
duties did not call for his kneeling; |
would not trust my property even
among the peers and their ladies',
should it roll out of his boot-tops!
Well, for the present there was moth
ing to be done. My escort sat be-
tween myself and Estelle, who peered
ecstatically toward the altar We two
had not a good sight of the proceed
ings, but we did not care. We were
engrossed with the novelty and
piquancy of our situation-at least
know | was, even though my hatred
for this man was becoming insupport-
able.
Whether or not | actually saw the
browning of King George ] have not
the smallest idea. l know the organ
pealed and tenor voices sang anthems,
and that from time to time we rose
upon our feet and then sat down
again. In that Kaleidoscope series OF
moving, loyal crowds, we were as soil
tary as travellers in desert of pris-
matte sands.
will you not tell me your name,
sun-goddess?" besought my compan-
ion. 81 sought you everywhere that
afternoon; l was disconsolate-"
You sought me?" answered, sharp
ly. why, you had not the common
courtesy to wait until had recovered
from my fright"
Fright" he repeated. ut was the
change of temperature that made mad
emoiselle faint, not fright"
This was ingenious; in spite of my
hate of him, felt slightly notified.
why didn't you waltz" l asked, and
then hated myself for having asked it.
He hung his head, quite like boy.
III tell you, sun-goddess," he an
swered. "The fact is-my grandfather
is one of the French military embassy,
you know"
So that was his grandfather: had
thought the old gentleman his father.
He looked hardly over sixty.
my grandfather is eighty-four," he
said, smiling, as though he read my
thoughts. When you have favored me
with your name | shall tell you our
own; it is name well-known in the
annals of France. On account of some
pride of his-you know he has old
fashioned ideas, -goddess-he de
sired that, if l insisted on flying.
should do so incognito. Besides
though / have no official rank here ex
cept that of army captain, am really
here on quite an important mission or
behalf of the French foreign office
You will understand, therefore, how
essential it was that, on the eve of the
coronation, our name should not be
come the common property of the pub
lie. Accordingly, | hurried away L
change my clothes after the fight, be
ing sure that when / returned to tht
grounds, unrecognized, l should fine
you there and be privileged to one
you my most respectful thanks ant
homage. Imagine my chagrin, then, t
discover that you and your companion
had disappeared. l was disconsolate
You thought more of your machine
than you did of me" l said, and mex
moment l could have bitten M
tongue. fastened to add that
made no difference to me.
1t was bewildering, the medley o
emotions that this young Frenchmal
inspired in me. Hate was predomi
nant, but yet perhaps because of m
own French blood, found his pres
ence stimulating, inspiring. He wa
SO different from Mr.. Spratt!
And now, you will favor me wit
your name, that l may present m
grandfather, will you not, mademo
seIle?" he asked.
my name" answered, is Ann
Ives. 1t is a short one, but 1t serve
all useful purposes"
"And-pardon me If am presumptl
GUS, mademoiselle-but you are
American, making journey to Eni
land unchaperoned, doubtless In az
eordance with the customs OF you