Evening star., 1932-12-22
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by NuIAWucWk RTNAh
hv NINAWUCW PUTNAM;

rather startled by her mothers cool
assumption that she had no personal
problems. Then she paused, hardly
| knowing how to 60 on. But in the end
Mother, I'm going to be married, !"
she said simply.
"Nhat?" exclaimed Mrs. Sayers, her
jaw dropping IN utter astonishment.
But you haven't got any beaux!"
Hadn't" her daughter corrected her.
who is he?" Her parents voice was
unf1atteringly incredulous.
Brace yourself, mother!" said Aacia.
"This is going to be . shock. He's
the Prince dOrsant" For . moment
the older woman looked utterly be-
| wildered. Then she seemed to place
the title and gasped.
"Alacia! You clever grill" she cried.
But that man has royal blood! He's
the one they want to make King OF
France! You know, it's been in the
newspapers"
II know" said Alacia. But don't
get too excited, mother. He's not going
to be king. ever! Get that idea @ RIGHT t
a title All Of which has got nothing
whatsoever to do with my wanting to
marry him"
began, they could do almost anything.
those royalists"
That's what they'd probably think
II we mentioned it to them" Alacia
agreed grimly. But tell you his being
. prince doesn't matter in the least
What does matter is that we love each
other. For the present the engagement
is a strict secret. You must promise not
to tell soul"
mot even santini?" begged the
Least Of all santini," said Alacia
He'd have it all over town. Promise
me, mother!"
"All right. child. I'll promise" said
Kate Sayers, beginning to beam. But
I hope you'll get over that foolish idea
about not using title. After all, 1t
isn't everybody who has the chance to
be princess sand such distinguished
name! when can meet your young
man. my dear?"
Hes downstairs now, waiting!"
Alacia said. II asked him to dinner.
Oh. mother, must you go out?"
II must There is no way I can
telephone" Kate Sayers replied dis
creetly. Besides, Alfredo would never
forgive me If I stood him up on q date!
So your hance is downstairs. My child.
this is too thrilling! Tell me, is he old
or young. or what?"
Young. Of oourse!" said Alacia, @
when he drove me home yesterday
morning! Don't YOU remember"
Slowly 1t became apparent that after
an effort Mrs. Sayers did recall the in
cident; the memory of the shabby little
car carrying a young man away from
her doorstep cast shadow across her
face and suddenly she pointed an ac-
cusing finger at her daughter.
"Alacia Sayers!" she cried. 'You
told US you did not know who he was!
You had to ask Santini! I remember
known him? How can you be sure
he's not a fake? You know this town
is simply crawling with plausible
strangers!"
m. Piron vouches for him." said the
girl, deliberately ignoring the first part
Of her mothers question. Hes exactly
what he says he Is"
And how does NJ Piron know about
him?" The practical business woman
in Mrs. Sayers was aroused now, and
her eyes were keen and intelligent as
she flashed her pointed questions.
He works there" Alacia responded.
IN. Piron has known him all his life"
Only one word stuck in the other wom-
Works there?" she said. "If he is
the Prince d'Orsant, why does he work
there?"
Because he's q decent mani" Alacia
cried desperately. Hes poor and he
has to work." sort Of pride made
her say nothing about the prospective
inheritance. She wanted Armand to be