Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1920-12-14

standing over her. "Soon? / was With
you on the t'oat---I walked by your
side--1 danced With you and held you
against my nvart. And here in Cairo
[ walked and talked with you :.
been under my roof. eating at the
table with me. alone within these
walls, and yon call It soon! Truly,
you are beyond belief Soon!"
''Btt soof--for met" she interrupt
ed swiftly, and sprang to her feet TO
face Him with eyes and lips that
smiled without trace OF FEAR. Only
her checks were no longer crimson
but white as chalk "roo so6n--for
me to BE suHe-h6w FEEL hadn't
realized--I h'idn't known Oh, YOU
mustn't hurry me-! You mustn't hur-
fy mel" she broke of In confusion
he might we'll f1isconstrue, lind
moved nefSoisly Away, her Back t6
MIN.
He stood Staring after her, man
MOI in tvs minds Bat In three and
fotr. Her broken w6rds-~her smiles
-ftf efnotibn--ttese might We'll
arouse the most flattefing surmise
and his vanity and his curiosity were
stirred 10 swift delight. Tie broke
into storm OF words, of protesta-
tions, of eager persuasion and honied
flattery, drawing nearer and nearer
20 her. While she slipped continually
away from him.
you mustn't hurry me-" she ech-
oed defensively. Il am not like you
you Southerners. r.
"Yoti are asleep-I have told YOU
that you are that sleeping princess"
he broke in, and following after as
she turned away from him. he put
quick arm about her. and bending
over her, tried to turn her about to-
ward him. "Do you know how that
little sleeping. princess was awaken
ed by her prince" he murmured
fattouslys bending closer.
The hat saved her, that coQuettish
little lat with its Jealously guarding
brim which bent obstinately lower
between them. And in the instant of
his indecision, While he waited for
the surrender his vanity expected
before eNerttng the force that would
conquer brutally, she broke unex-
psetedly from his clasp and darted n
few steps away from him, whirling
about to face him with her head
flung back, her eyes on fire. her hips
parted in a GREATNESS excitement.
Captain fieifsscn." she cried. and
there was a ring of gaiety in her
voice, do l understand that you are
proposing to me?"
Very formally he bowed, bow
that hid the establishment and the
cynical nuinor which zigzagged
across his handsome face. II am do
ing myself that honor" he most
suavely returned. and eyed her with
an astonished curiosity that checked
his passion.
Really? So soon?' she cried
very ohildishly, and again he bowed.
But this time she raught his smile.
Really so soon, little Arlec.'
To his Amusement she burst into
prankish laughter.
"oh, you :lre rornantic!" she gave
back. and IL l can believe you truly
in earnest-iast night l was furious
at you,' she went on rapidly, inter-
rupting the speech forming on his
lips, for I thought yoh dreadful
flirt. just taking advantage OF my be-
ing here. and yet-and yet you didn't
seem that kind. You seemed a gen.
tleman! And now IL you really mean
ali you are saying-but you can't,
you can't! / know your words are
running ahead of you!"
my words-let my heart speak--I
But / don't know whether ought
to listen or mott" she burst out, and
With great naivete, I'm afraid it
would be very silly to let myself care
for YOU
Silly? An adorable Stiffness! Could
you not be happy with me here in
this palace? You would be a princess.
indeed, queen of my heart. l would
put every luxury at your command"
In mingled eager ness and wariness
he watched her, incredulous of her
asserting mood, but with hope that
lured him OH to believe. And in his
eyes, dubious, DESTROYS, calculating,
watchful, she read the fluctuations
Of his thought. If Afterwards there
should happen to be any trouble
about this affair, how wonderfully
it would smooth things to have the
girl infatuated with him, to show
that she hatl been party to the in
trigue! And how spicily it sweeten-
ed the taste of success to his lips!
: He had caught her two hands in
his, and clasping them tightly he
bent forward, trying to scan the
changes in her hesitating look, while
his words poured ferth in stream
of praise and promise She would
live like little princess. His love
and his wealth were at her feet.
Other women were eager for him, but
he was hers alone. She would adore
Egypt, the Egypt that he would re-
veal to her, and when she wearied
they would go to the Continent and
live always as she desired. Only she
must be kind to him, be kind and
sweet and lift her eyes and tell him
that she would make him happy. She
must not keep him waiting. He was
not q man with whom one amused
oneself.
and I am not a girl whom one
commands" she gave back with a
flash Of spirit and childish toss of
her head. II like you, Monsieur, at
least I did like you before you hurt
my fingers SO horl ibly"-the tight
grasp on her hands relaxed and she
drew them swiftly. away, rubbing
them in mock ruefulness-"and I
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