Tombstone epitaph., 1918-02-24

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.
II have come to a certain determin-
ation," he proceeded: zone which, II
you will grace 1t with your approval.
will give me great happiness. I ask
you to forget certain things which
have passed b ,tween us. I 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 q 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 wife I" Louise repeated.
IF you will do me that great hon
or"
It seemed at first as II 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. Eve 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. II am forty
one years old today. have spent the
early hours Of this afternoon In refec-
ton, and behold the RESULT"
you have spoken to me before" she
said slowly. "of different things. You
have offered me a great deal in life.
but never your name. I do not under
stand this sudden changer
Louise" he declared, IF I do not
tell you the truth now. you will prob
ably guess It. Besides, this Is the one
time in their lives when a man and
woman should speak nothing but the
truth. 1t is for fear Of losing you
that L. why"
Her self-control suddenly gave way.
She threw herself back in her chair.
She began to laugh and stopped alb
ruptly. the tears streaming from her
eyes. The prince leaned forward. He
took her hands in his, but she drew
them away.
you are too late, EugeneI" she
said. Il almost loved you. I was al
most yours to do whatever you liked
with. But somehow, somewhere, not
withstanding all your worldly knowl-
edge and mine, we missed It. We do
not know the truth about life. you and
lat least you do not, and did moi"
He rose very slowly to his feet.
There was no visible change In his
face save q slight whitening Of the
cheeks.
"And the sequel to this?" he asked.
II have promised to marry John
Strangewey," she told him.
THAT" he replied. rs impossible
have a prior claim"
The light Of battle famed suddenly
in her eyes. Her nervousness had
gone. She was q strong woman, face
to face with him now, taller than he,
seeming. indeed, to tower over him In
the splendor of her anger. She was
like q lioness threatened with the loss
Of the one dear thing.
assert It, then" she cried defiant
ly. do what you WILL Go to him
this minute, II you have courage
enough, II It seems to you well. Claim,
indeedi Right! have the one right
every woman in the world possesses
to give herself, body and soul, to the
man she loves! That Is the only claim
and the only right recognize, and !
am giving myself to him, when he
wants me. foreverr
She stopped suddenly. Neither Of
them had heard q discreet knock at
the door. Aline had entered with the
tea. There was Q moment Of silence.
Put It down here By my side.
Aline," her mistress ordered, and
show the prince Of Seyre out"
Aline held the door open. For Q
single moment the prince hesitated.
Then he picked up his hat and bowed.
Perhaps" he said. this may not
be the last wordr
CHAPTER XIX.