The Lynden tribune. [volume] (Lynden, Wash.) 1908-current, 1916-08-10

He leaned little closer.
"Yes, | knew why" she said calmly
emotionlessly. He drew back instant
ly, chilled by her directness. You
came because there was promise OF an
interesting adventure. which you now
are on the point of making impossible
by a rather rash exhibition of haste"
He stared at her shadowy face In
utter confusion. For a moment he
was speechless. Then rush OF pro
testing sincerity surged up within him
and he cried out in low, intense tones:
81 cannot allow you to think that OF
me, Miss Guile. II have done or said
anything to lead you to believe that
am
She laughed joyously. naturally
"You really are quite wonderful, Mr.
Schmidt. Still must change the sub.
ject. trust the change will not az
feet your glibness, for It is quite ex.
hilarating. How long do you purpose
remaining in lnterlaken?"
THAT isn't changing the subject
said he. II shall be here for a week
or ten days-or perhaps longer?" He
put 1t in the form OF a question, after
all.
Indeed? How l envy you. l am
sorry to say shall have to leave In q
day or two"
His face fall. "Why?" he demand
ed, almost Indignantly.
II am having such good time dis
obeying my father. Mr.. Schmidt, and
eluding pursuers. It is only matter
of day or two before am discovered
here. SO | mean to keep on lodging.
1t is splendid fun"
DO you mind telling me where you
are going to. Miss Guile?
First to Vienna, then-well, you
cannot guess where. have decided
to go to Edelweiss."
"Edelweiss!" he exclaimed in aston
ishment. He could hardly believe his
ears.
ut is the very last place in tho
world that my father would think of
looking for me. Besides. am curious
to see the place. | understand that
the great Mr.. Blithers is to be there
soon. and the stupid prince who will
not be tempted by millions. and 1t Is
] even possible that the extraordinary
Miss Blithers may take It into her
head to look the place over before
definitely refusing to be its princess.
may find some amusement or enter
tainment as an onlooker when the
riots begin"
He was staring at her wide eyed
and incredulous. DO you really mean
to say you are going to Graustark?"
81 have thought of doing so. Don't
you think it will be amusing to be on
the scene when the grand climax &C.
curs?'
All this time she was regarding him
through amused. half closed eyes.
She had distinct advantage over him
She knew that he was the Prince OF
Graustark; she had known it for many
days. Perhaps If she had known all
the things that were in his cunning
brain she would not have ventured so
far into the comedy she was construct
ing. She would have hesitated-aye.
she might have changed her methods
completely. But she was in the mood
to do and say daring things.
CHAPTER XVII.
Love In Allegiance.
"@OOR Prince!" she sighed pity
ingly. He started. The remark
was SO unexpected that he al
most betrayed himself. It
seemed profoundly personal. HE
| will be in very hot water, fear"
! He regarded her coldly. And you
want to be OH hand to see him sQuirm.
/ suppose"
She took instant alarm. Was she
going too far? His query was some
what discOncerting.
ITO be perfectly frank with you. Mr.
Schmidt, am going to Graustark be-
cause no one will ever think of look
ing for me in such an out of the way
place. l am serious now, so you must
not laugh at me. Circumstances are
such that l prefer to seek happiness
after fashion of my own. My parents
love me, but they will not understand
me. You know that my father fears
|
to him, and suppose to my mother.
although she is not sO"-
"Are his fears well founded" he
asked, rudely interrupting her. els
there a man that he has cause to fear?
Are-are you in love with some one,
Bedelia?"
do not interrupt me. l want you to
know that I am not running away
from home, that shall return to It
when l see fit and that ! am not in
love with the man they suspect.
She was very serious. very intense.
He laid his hand on hers, and she did
not withdraw it Emboldened, his
hand closed upon the dainty fingers,
and an instant later they were borne
to his hot lips.
"You have said that came here in
search of light adventure" he whis-
pered, holding her hand close to his
cheek as he bent nearer to her. "You
imply that I am a trifler. a light O.
love. want you to understand me
better. l came here because p
"Stop!" she pleaded. you must not
say 1t. l am Seriousness. know that
you are serious too. But you must
wait. If you were to say it to me now
l should have to send you away and
oh, believe me, l do not want to do
that. /"
"You love no one else" he cried
rapturously.