Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1920-04-28
CHAPTER: VII.
DELICE.

r 49, --.
Rupert was on his way to Michael.
The knowledge nestled in the heart
OF Delight. Michael would DO warm
ed, would defend himself and win her
freedom She even cherished a
secret fancy that the blond, dashing
soldier-lover she had known, would
return with Rupert; would challenge
Stefan Balsic to lay bare the charges,
and would clear himself in one mag
nificcnt effort of indignant innocence.
Yes, she had done well, a thousand
times better than ifNshe had meanly
fled with Jack Rupert! After all, she
was as sheltered here as she could
he in any place until this marriage
was annulled and she made MichaeIs
wife.
1t was an hour since the auto
mobile had gone beyond her vision;
the last CLINT Of it vanished into a
deep gorge whose black mouth the
girl could just discern. Irenya had
disappeared with the last glimpse of
the car. Keenly alive and restless.
buoyant with a sense Of heavy
anxiety removed and expectant of the
along the balcony.
At the extreme end Of the balcony
a fight of stone steps twisted down
and curved into an embrasure below.
Where the stair ended Delight did
not know, but now she began the
descent Since she had kept her
word to Stefan Balsic, staying when
she might have fled, she felt a new
confidence and ease; a reviving Of
self respect and a fearlessness almost
gay in contrast to her late detection.
bend and then stopped short, still
outdoors. Delight stopped also.
opening her brown, ayes with ,sur-
prised sense of prediction verified.
She had anticipated adventure, and
here was Danilo Lesendra.
The officer in question was alone.
SEATED in the checkered sunshine and
shadow Of a second and smaller bal
cony. He smoked a neutrality-suspicious.
ed her head with distaste FROM the
cloying. narcotic smoke drifted to-
ward her by a current of air. But
the cigarette was. merely incidental;
his actual occupation interested her
more. Captain Lesendra was clean
ing his pistol; a respondent pistol
masking d~eadliness with inlay Of gold
and pearl, and shining comeliness OF
blue steel:, s
\ Good. morning" said Delight,
when she had sufficiently studied the
Lesendra. lifted his head quickly,
then threw away the cigarette and
rose. The hush Of noon lay on the
place, but he had not heard her light
Good morning. madame" he re.
turned pu~nctiliously. "MaysI offer q
chair?"
4 think you may" she descended
the last step. THAT is, II ! do 1pot
interrupt?'
Certainly not, madame.
Did he know Of Rupert's visit? She
wondered. yet would not ask. In
stead, she looked at the pistol.
NYou clean your, revolver,
B Captain Lesepdra?"
4 Always. madame"
Pray take your seat and con-
tinue Lam a little weary Of so much
solitude. but 7 must Eo/back to nay
He smiled. the bright charm Of his
expression bringing 70 his face that
faint Resemblance Ito Michael which
had once before struck the girl to
whom Michael was dear. 4
Thank you" b approved. as he
obeyed her. Now, Will you explain
that always PLEASED Is 1t an amuse-
ment, or astradition? And / thought
such thingsTonly needed cleaning aft
er they we're used" 4
1T was. delightful to play It light
heartedness again., v . tor q passing
moment. Issendra met her well;
sevincinY no surprise at thteSSchanse In
Thu. reaptive.s mood.
.Msdame when king Nikolas
walks out, II Is his custom to halt
msn 81 random and inspecttf pistol
Ithey carry"
well ,
zach day weaxe readyto meet the
King" She laughed. q
Is the royal tongue . sharp?