The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-03-14
By George Barr McCutcheon=
Copyright 1914, by Dodo, Mead and Company
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6Cont.inued.a

HThe most distant spot in the world w6rld not have been too far away to cause an instant's hesitation on my part" said he, dropping into the chair opposite her.
 4But your personal affairs = your bhsiness,'' she protested. tsCan you neglect it SOL
 fNIy business is to find happiness,' g said he. q should be neglecting it indeed if failed to pursue the only means of attaining it. You are hap piness, Bedelia.' ?
 @sfWhat would you sacrifice for hap p1ness?'' she asked softly.
 "Al1 else in the worId,' he replied steadily. eff I were king my realm should go if it stood between me and -eyou, Bedelia-''
 fstWait-wa1t just for a moment" she said, with difficulty steadying her voice. teThis night may see the end of our adventure, Rex. Let us think well before we say that it is over. I know, if you do not, that a great deal depends upon what we are to say to each other tonight. You will ask me to be your wife. Are you sure that you appreciate all that it means to you and to your future if should say yes to that dear dues- tion?''
 He looked at her intently. fFWhat do you know, Bedelia?'
 ss<I know that you are the Prince of Graustark and that 1t is ordained that you shall wed one whose station is the equal of your own. You must think well. dear Rex. before yeu ask Redelia Guile to be your wife. 2
 atfYou know that ams'-he began duly, and then stood up, leaning far over the table, a penetrating look in his eyes.
 sHow long have you known. Bede- lia?''
 sssince the second day out on the Jupiters'' she replied serenely.
 He slowly resumed his seat, over whelmed. She had played with him. She had defled him!
 'sI know what you are thinking, Rex" she. said, almost pleading1y. sYou are thinking i'll of me, and you are unjust. It was as fair for me as it was for you We played a cautious game. You set about to win my love as you saw fit, my friend, and am to be condemned if I exercised the same privilege ?''
 He gave a great sigh of relief. tfYou are right" he said. 'sIt is my turn to confess. have known for many days that you are not Bedelia Guile. We are quits
 She laughed softly.
 s7E doesn't matterss' he whispered hoarsA1y. t1 don't care what happens ! to me, Bedelia. IT shall never give 1 you up. You are worth all the king doms in the world. You are the love Hest, most adorabIe''-
 Hush. Mrs. Gaston is inside she informed him quickly. 'I do not come alone. An hour ago the inn became quite impossible as a trysting place. A small party from the Regengetz arrived for dinner. Can you guess who is giving the dinner? The great and only William W. Blithers. sir, who comes to put an obstinate daugh- ter upon the throne of Graustark, 1 whether she will or no.''
 tfDtd he see your cried Robin.
 sfNo,, she answered, with a mis- chievous gleam in her eyes.
 tfHide and seek is bully game" said he. t1t can't last much longer, Bedelia- think it is only right that l we should go to your father and tell him that-eyerythin is all right. l There is nothing to be gained by l further secrecy, She was watching him closely. l stAre you, after all is said and done. sure that you want to marry the | daughter of William Blithers, in the | face of all the bitter consequences that may follow such an act?'' "Are you through?'' he asked, | transhxing her with a determined | look Well, then, I'll answer you. l do want to marry you, and, more | than that, I mean to marry you. I 1 love''- seYou may tell me, Robin, as we are l driving back to the inn together | not here, not now" she said softly, l the lovelight in her eyes
 Happiness blurred his vision.
 Long afterward, as they were pre- pairing to leave Pingart's, she said to | him:
 AMy father is at the inn, Robin. I | ran away from him tonight because I wanted to be sure that our adven- l ture was closed before revealed my | self to him. Take me to him now, | Robin, and make the miracle com | plete." His fingers caressed her warm l cheek as he adjusted the collar of the | long coat about her throat and chin. l Her eyes were starry bright, her red | lips were parted. HMy princess.'' he whispered ten derIy. "My prineess!"
 "1y prince.'' she said, so softly that the words barely. reached his ears. "We have proved that Love is i the king. He rules LIS all. He laughs !, at NIocksmi ths-and fathers-but he does not laugh at sweethearts. Come, sfMme. Gaston returns long ago. | He handed her into the cab a mo nnent later and drew the long, deep breath of one who goes down into | deep water. Then he followed after her. The attendant closed the door.
 Hobbs was dependable fellow. He drove far out of the way, passing the Inn of the Stars twice at a lively clip, and might have gone on forever in his shutt1ecock enterprise had not the excited voice of woman hailed him from the sidewalk.