The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1917-11-30

seemed to take Il her dlsheveled con-
dition, the little patches of color in
her cheeks, the radiant happiness
which shone in her eyes.
Il am not an unwelcome intruder,
hope" he said. "But how wet you
are"
The fingers which he released fell
nerveleSSly to her side. She stood
looking at him as if confronted with
a sudden nightmare. 1t was as if this
new-found life were being slowly
| drained from her veins.
| "You are overtired," he .murmured,
leading her with solicitude toward an
easy chair. "One would imagine, from
your appearance, that 1 was the bear
er of some terrible tidings. Let me
assure you that it is not So"
He spoke with his usual delibera-
ton, but she seemed powerless to re-
| cover herself. She was still dazed
and white. She sank into the chair
and looked at him.
Nothing, I trust" he went on, "has
happened to disturb you?" ~
Nothing at ALL" she declared hast
lily. 81 am tired. ran upstairs per-
haps little too quickly. Aline had
not told me that there was anyone
here"
Il had fancy to see you this after
noon," the prince explained, "and,
finding you out, I took the liberty of
waiting. If you would rather I went
away and came for you later, please
do not hesitate to say So"
"Of course not !" she exclaimed. 81
do not know why 1 should have been
so silly. Aline, take my coat and
veil," she directed, turning to the
maid, who was lingering at the other
end of the room. 81 am not wet.
Serve some tea in here. I will have
my bath later, when I change to go to
the theater."
She spoke bravely, but fear was in
her heart. She tried to tell herself
that this visit was a coincidence, that
it meant nothing, but all the time she
knew otherwise.
The door closed behind Aline, and
they were alone. The prince, as if
anxious to give her time to recover
| herself, walked to the window and
stood for some moments looking out.
When he turned around, Louise had
at least nerved herself to meet what
she felt was imminent.
The prince approached her deliber-
ately. She knew what he was going
to say.
Louise" he began, drawing chair
to her side, 81 have found myself
thinking a great deal about you dur
ing the last few weeks"
She did not interrupt him. She
simply waited and watched.
81 have come to certain determin-
ation," he proceeded; zone which, if
you will grace it with your approval,
will give me great happiness. I ask
you to forget certain things which
have passed b stween us. have come
to you today to beg you to do me the
honor of becoming my wife,"
She turned her head very slowly
until she was looking him full in the
face. Her lips were a little parted,
her eyes little strained. The prince
was leaning toward her in a conven-
tional attitude; his words had been
spoken simply and in his usual con-
versational manner. There was some
thing about him, however, profoundly
convincing.
"Your wifeI' Louise repeated.
| eff you will do me that great hon
or"
It seemed at first as if her nerves
were strained to the breaking point.
The situation was one with which her
brain seemed unable to grapple. She
| set her teeth tightly. Then she had a
sudden interlude Of wonderful clear
sightedness. She was almost cool.
"YOu must forgive my surprise, Eu-
gene" she begged. "We have known
each other now for some twelve years,
have we not?-and believe that this
is the first time you have ever limited
at anything of the sort!"
"One gathers wisdom, perhaps, with
the years." he replied. ~ am forty
one years old today. I have spent the
early hours Of this afternoon in reflec-
| ton, and behold the result"
You have spoken to me before" she
said sloyvlv is0f different things Y0u