The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1917-10-26

/ seemed To take In her dlsheveled con
dltlOn, the little patches OF color In
her cheeks, the radiant happiness
which shone in her eyes.
II am not an unwelcOme intruder
l hope" he said. "But how wet you
arei !"
The fingers which he released fell
nervelessly to her side. She stood
looking at him as IL confronted with
sudden nightmare. 1t was as II this
new-found life were being slowly
drained from her veins.
"You are Overtired," he murmured,
leading her with sollcitude toward IN
easy chair "One would imagine, from
your appearance, that was the bear
er Of some terrible tidlngs. Let me
assure you that 1t is not So"
He spoke with his usual delibera-
tion, but she seemed pOwerless to re-
cover herself. She was still dazed
and white. She sank into the chair
and looked at him.
Nothing, l trust" he went on, "has
Huppeneu 10 ulsluTD you
Nothing Mt all," she declared hast
lily. 81 am tired. l ran upstairs per-
haps little too quickly. Aline had
not told me that there was anyone
here"
II had a fancy to see you this after
noon," the prince explained, "and,
finding you out, 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 mott" she exclaimed. 81
do not know why l 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. II am not wet.
Serve some tea ia here. l will have
my bath later, when 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
1t 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 a chair
to her side, II 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 a certain determin-
ation," he proceeded; zone which, if
you will grace it with your approval,
will give me great happiness. 1 ask
you to forget certain things which
have passed b tween 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 a little strained. The prince
was leaning toward her in cOnven-
tiOnal attitude; his words had been
spoken simply and in his usual con-
versational manner. There was some
thing about him, however, profoundly
"Your wife!" Louise repeated.
IF you will do me that great hon
or"
1t 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
She was almost cool.
you must forgive my surprise, Eu-
gene" she begged. eve have known
each other now for some twelve years,
nave we not?-and 1 believe that this
s the first time you have ever hinted
1t anything of the sort"
zone gathers wisdom, perhaps, with
he years." he replied. 81 am forty
me years old today. l have spent the
Early hours of this afternoon in reflec-
ion, and behold the result" I"
"YOu have spoken to me BEFORE" she
laid slowly, "of different things. You