The Dolores star., 1923-07-20


"Oh!" said Diana family.
The mailed arms encircled her
tightly
Sweetest OF all earth's treasures :!
exclaimed bertrand. You love mef
You tremble-your heart beats. Say
1t! You love me-"
Suddenly she hid her face against
his breastplate.
T-I-I-I do" she whispered, hardly
audible, "and-I should never have
dared to let you tell me so.'
Thrice blessed accident To my un-
happy ancestor l owe my happiness .
All day OF days! Diana, you will
marry me, beloved?"
81 suppose so. l can't help 1t. now.
Oh-Bertrand -
"I said that armor was Of no avail.
But 1t has conquered"
She glanced up at him shyly.
II shall wear 1t for evermore" said
De Jussac rapturously. at shall never
be dOffed, save at your orders. Diana
-"
But my aunt," exclaimed Diana
suddenly, her bushes changing to pal
lor If"
"She will give us her blessing. In
the morning"
But If she found out how 1t hap
pened :" said Diana In panic. And
the time-you do not know how terri
bic Aunt can be"
"She will not know. I will put my
self IN Order-I will propose TO you
again in the morning. We will an
nounce It with all formalitles." Ber-
trand was alarmed to find her almost
collapslng; he led her to the table and
raised a goblet to her lips. "a little
vine, my angel! 1t will revive you!"
NO, no"
But yes! You are agitated. Just
one sip"
1t was impossible to deny anything
to the conquerIng Bertrand. Lady Di-
ana permitted herself to lmbibe a
little of the wine; 1t restored the color
TO her cheeks.
"And now," said the Vicomte ten
derby, light Of my soul"
A piercing shrek from Diana Jared
painfully on his nerves. Bertrand
started and spun around.
In the doorway stood the unspeak-
able parlor maid, capleSs, her bronze
hair flowing over her shoulders. Wick
ed laughter cOnvulsed her, her eyes
shOne with triumph.
Bless you, my children! 7" said
Aimee. you've made enough row
about itr'
DE Jussac started hastily towards
her. Aimee sprang back and closed
the door in his face; the key turned
with click.
Lady Diana had sunk inert into a
chair
stop her-make her be quietr ="
painted Diana trembling. Bertrand
if my aunt"
"0pen!" hissed Bertrand, rattllng
the handle.
Leave the door alone" said Aimee's
voice, muffled through the panel. you
can't get out-either of you. Can Won
hear me?"
Yes. yes Mademoiselle-"
Listen within three feet of me Is
a burglar ALARM" said the voice, dla-
bolically. I'm going to start It. Be-
fore you can turn yourselves round, the
whole household will be down on you
from Aunt Erythea TO the pageboy.
Especially Aunt. I'm going to count
three. When"
Mlserlcorde ~ gasped Bertrand.
"Mademoiselle, l implore you! This
Is to return evil for good How have
we deserved"
i have no quarrel with you, VI
cHmte. You're all right. But I've got
you both. You'll accept my terms"
"Anything" painted Bertrand dis
tractedly. "Anything-"
Stand away from the door, then,
Get right back"
"Yes, yesl"
Aimee applied her eye to the kew
hoie TO insure that her orders were
obeyed. She opened the door eau
tiously, and regarded the distressed
pair with intense satisfaction.
Let me be the first to congratulate
you!" she said. "vlcomte, I don't
grudge my cousin to you. You are
welcome. Di!" continued Aimee, fixin,
Diana with glitterlng eye, 81 don't
want your explanation-you can ex-
plain the masquerade to Aunt. But T
shall hold my tongue about you-and
you'll hold yours about me! l require
your word of honor For you daren,t
break it!"
yes" gasped Diana feebly. "Don,t
don't speak so loud. Aimee"
Aimee looked at her, and exnloded
with laughter.
Every happiness, dear peoplev p she
said, and vanished.
"Bertrand! painted Diana. r,siny
unsteadily. did you know ANYTHING
OF this? Do you understand? She
Is not the parlor maid-she Ia nv
cousin l cannot explain; you must
say nothing about 1t. Neither will She
Ch-iet me gol"
He caught her In his arms before ,hs