Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-04-05
CHAPTER XVII.
Love In Allegiance.

"nOOR Prince!" she sighed pity
~ :Agly. He started. The remark
L was so unexpected that he al
most betrayed himself. 1t
seemed profoundly personal. He
viii be in very hot water, l fear"
He regarded her coldly. And YOU
want 10 be on hand to see him squirm.
! suppose"
She took instant alarm. Was she
going too far? His query was some
what disconcerting.
To be perfectly frank with YOU. MI
Schmidt. I am going to Graustark be-
cause no one will ever think of look
ing for me- p such an out of the way
place. am serious now, so you must
ne: laugh at me. Circumstances are
such tia, | prefer to seek happiness
after a fashion OF my own. NV parents
love me. but they will not understand
me You know that mt father fears
that ! may marry a man distasteful
to him, and suppose TO my mother
although she is not So
Are his fears well founded?" he
asked, rudely interrupting her. rs
4 there z man that he has cause to fear7
Are-aTe you in love with some one.
Bedelia?"
Do not interrupt me- | want you to
know that l am not running away
from home, that l shall return to it
when | 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 l 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 | am trifler. a light O
love. I want you to understand me
better. | came here because r.
Stop" she pleaded. You must not
say it. | 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, do not want to do
that. II
You love no one else?" he cried
| ra3turously.
She swayed slightly, as if incapable
Of resisting the appeal that called her
| 10 his heart, and she scarcely breath
| ed the words:
Il love no one else"
| less noble nature than this would
have seized upon the advantage offer.
ed by her sudden weakness. Instead,
be drew a long, deep breath, straight
ened his figure, and he gently released
the imprisoned hand.
She spoke softly. 1T is too soon
for Us to judge each other. | must be
| sure-oh. | must be sure of myself
Can you understand? Now, l must so
in. No; do not ask me TO stay-and
let me 90 alone. | prefer it So Good
hight, my comrade"
He stood up and let her pass Good
night, my princess" he said, clearly
and distinctly. She shot a swift glance
into his eyes. smiled family and
moved away
Two days went by, bur there was
not word Of love passed between
these two who waited for the fruit
to ripen. They were never alone
together. Always they were attended
by the calm, keen eyed Mrs. CASTOR.
On the third day he was convicted
Of dupliCity. She went off for a walk
alone, When she came in after an
absence Of al least two hours the girl
went up 10 her room without so much
as word with him. Her face was
nushed and she carried her head dis
painfully. He was greatly puzzled.
The puzzle was soon explained. He
waited for her on the stairway as she
came down alone 10 dinner.
You told me that your friends were
not in Interlaken. Mr.. Schmidt" she
said colby. Why did you feel called
| upon to deceive me?"
| tie bit his lip. For an instant be re-
| heeted, and then gave an evasive an
| sWer. Il think / told you that l was
alone in this hotel. Miss Guile. My
| Trends are al another hotel am not
aware that
was morally certain that they
were here. Today my suspicious were
| justified. encountered Mr.. Totten In
| me park beyond the Jungfraublick.
re Was very much upset, | can assure
| YOU but he recovered with amazing
| s"Atness. We sat on one Of the
benches in a nice little nook and had
Iong, long talk He IS q charming
Hah. | have asked him 10 come TO
luncheon with US tomorrow and to
bring Mr.. Dank."
Good Lord, will wonders never
one laid her hand gently upon his
arm and q serious sweetness came
Into her eyes.
Zone" she said, "let US go in ahead
q Mrs. CASTOR Let us have just one
anle minute to ourselves, Mr..
schmidt."
when Mrs. CASTOR Joined Robin and
&ecella al the table. which had been
eel for them in the sale manger. she
i@Id several letters before the girl, who
slcked them up instantly and glanced
al me superscription on each
You will forgive me, Mr.. Schmidt"
she said nervously. 81 must look at
Lhem at once"