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CHAPTER I. The Girl With the pillions. ** ? TIE widow just now is the I queen of <>m* diplomatic ehess. II bbhrd,.,i sighed the Marsovinn * amhassador'spretty wife. "She ?wilt l?e here toiiijrhr. ? My husband is hauginc over the. banisters watching for her." "Bot what reason?" "Oh. he has exactly twenty million reasons for"? "I don't understand," murmured M. de Jolidon. "No? Then you laro probably the only bachelor in Paris Nvtao d*esn't 8he was the daughter of a poor Mnr sortau farmer?no dowry hut her beauty. An enormously rich old bank er named Sadowa. wealthiest man in Marsovia, fell In love with Her. mar: ried her and did her the exquisitely graceful favor of dying a week later. She Inherited his whole fortune?$20, 000.000." ' "And now I suppose she has come to I'arhi to speud itVv "Oh, the money is safe enough for the present, I believe, in the Bank of JGHT. 1908, BY HENRY W. S. AS a .?^."??<" mirrieu on wan me message the speaker waddled into the room. He Wfite ? Stout, ungainly ljtilo man, clad in the quaint haii&nal cos tume of Marsovia. Bald of head, pop ping" of" eye and 'with' abnormally long red. mustache, his was a personality to excite Jaugktor In a mummy. The newcomer was Nisii, messenger and clerk of the embassy. At his apt proach Natalie and" De Jolideu slipped i away So the-ballroom: A moment later j a .tall, lean, .fussy man with booked j nose and mincing gait trotted down ! (he stairway and into the salon. "Well. Mr. Nlsti." he asked peevish ly, "did you - lind .Prince Danllo at home?"' . '. iv. "No. your excellency." faltered the ! little man. "He"? ! MDld you go thence, as T told you, to the American bar at"? jjjj^ "Yes, sir. Bnt he was not at home there tonight." "Odd. lie's usually very much at Home there. I'm told. So you failed in your mission? You couldn't und him?". . ? "Oh. yes. your excellency, I found him?that is to say. P'? "Oh. you found him at last? That's better. "Where?" "At Maxim's, your"? "Maxim's, eh?" snorted Ambassador Popbff scornfully. "Idling-away his time, as usual, when"? "Ob, no, your excellency, not ex actly 'idling.' if 1 may say so. He seemed very busy.. There were a num ^ / THE MEER Mfarsovla. Rut my husband wants it to stay tbere. So does tbe Mursovian government. Ours is not a rieh coun try, M. de Jolidon. That's why a new white hair appears in my worthy nus baud's head every time one of your Parisian lady killers makes love to her. It's all absurdly simple." "Well," laughed De Jolidon, "his hair needn't turn whiter on my account. PH be tbe oue Frenchman who won't make love to Mine. Sadowa." "But you must.'' "What?" "You must umrry her. at any rate." "Are you mad. Natalie, or is this"? "It is no joke, and L'm not mad. i've thought. It all out." The ambassador's wife glanced nerv ously about her. She and De Jolidon were ensconced in an alcove of the salon. It was the night of the embassy ball. Prom the adjoining ballroom eame the strains of a waltz and the ?ofc gliding of hundreds of dancing leei:. <J nests were passing aud re passlng along the great hallway and broad stairs at the rear of the salon. But /or the moment* the two had tbe room to themselves. "Listen." siie said. ''My husband sus pects nothing thus far, but be is cer tain to In time unless"? "TTniesa T divert, his thoughts by mar lylng some one else? I can't, and you ? know I can't, for I"? "FlushJ You mustn't say it. I am a dul^ftil wife. And?what are you .do Jug?" she queried as! he.snatched up her fan from the table: - With the pencil that dangled from bis dancing card De Jolidon scribbled three words on one of .the ivory sticks of tbe fan, then banded it to his hostess. Natalie, with a little catch in her breath, slowly read tbe words aloud:' "I?love?you'." "Why did you wrile this?" sbe asked. "Because you forbade me to say it," he retorted. "Tell Wf excellency I have C0*"2S TkmL-_" bsok* jt> a voice at the dooiv Y WIDOW, i r l?er <?i' hnTiTcs nruJ"? I "Was he sober?" "Not distressingly so. your excel lency. In fact, if 1 may"? ?*r>i?l you give him my message V Did you tell hi in?" ? "J.gave.iJ word for word. sir. 1 told birn his country was cull inj; for him and that your excellency desired.his immediate presencc^st the embassy." "Well, what va? his answer?" r? "He said. "Give my country my re gards and toll it: to go to' "? ?'Where?" snapped 1'opoff as Nisb paused in embarrassment. "I'd?I'd rather not say, sir; no place Vn at a" familiar with." "Oh. the lngrate." wailed Popoff, "the lngrate! Here he has been em j ployed at the embassy all Ihese months. and I've winked at his loafing ana bia dissipation, aud.the very first .minute 1 really need him lie refuses to come." "Ob. uo. your excellency,'" pleaded Nish; ?'scarcely as bad as all that, If I may say so?not 'refused' exactly. He will come. At least lie-promised to." "Ah. that lifts a load from my brain if he promised he'll conn:! Diplomat ically speaking, Prince Da Mile's word is as good as his bond." "Diplomatically speaking, your excel I leucy," affirmed N'lsh, "lie agrees to I he here as soon as he has finished the magnum of champagne thai wa*. in tht ke.pail beside him when 1 left." "How much of it was gone?' "The cork was bot yet drawn, but"? "Be on the lookout for him, Mr. Nlsb. When he comes put ice on his head if necessary. Sober him at any cost." I . "I fancy it will be cheaper than fill ing him up. I'll do my best, your ex cellency." But the ambassador at a whispered word from a servant had already pot tered out of the room as fast as bis somewhat shaky old legs would carry him, and the voluble Nlsh ran along in his wake._ JL n i\t x.i iti nig ?j. fidcw WAGE <^<^<^.-^-c A commotion swept through the scattered groups in the foyer?a mur mur, a rustle, a whisper that resolved itself at last into the excited phrases: '?The widow has arrived 1" "Twenty millions and unincurabered!" "Widow [ of Sadowa, the animated money hag!" "A Monte Cristo fortune for some lucky man!" "Her name is Sonia Sa dowa; twenty millions?red hair. too. but a beauty!" "Twenty millions! "The Merry Widow!" Down the stairway from the dress ing rooms and into the salon swept a woman?young, beautiful, vivacious. A light of mischief danced in her great dark eyes. Her masses of auburn hair shone like' an' aureole above her rather pale, delicate face. About her hovered a half score of gallants, all vying for a word, a look, from the beauty (and fortune) of the Paris season. Two men?the Marquis of Cascnda and the Count de St. Brioche?were lucky enough to claim for ? moment or two her attention. "No, no!" Sonia was saying iu pro test "At home, in Marsovia, men don't make such pretty speeches. Courtship there is very primitive and marriage 'Is for life. When a man makes love.to another's wife, he is promptly shot. When a v\'ife flirts, her husband beats her black and bine?a good plan. Why not try It in Paris?" "Delightful!" exclaimed Cascada. "Do you know, madame, we have been counting the moments until you ap peared?" "1 can well believe it." assented So nia. ~"It must have been just like counting money." "Ob, madame!" protested the group, horrified. "Don't I know?" retorted Sonia, a little bitterly. "It's always like that People count me like so much money,. If it is coarse foe nie to say so, re member I'm a farmer's daughter and that In my country people call a spade a spade." Popoff and Natalie came hurriedly in to pay their respects to the guest upon whom Mnrsovia's hopes so depended. At a sign from the ambassador the oth ers drew back. "So you were shocking some of our Paris gallants?" beamed Ihe ambassa dor. "What a child of' nat ure you .are!" ?. "You mean." countered Sonia', "that I am a peasant dressed up. How I wish sometimes that I were a real peasant again!" -j'Ab!" chuckled Popoff. "Child of'na ture, true child of-?uatu're-.-^aiways remembering the dear old days on the farm?tbe bleatlng'of rbe*'plgft; the new laid milk.- the tomatoes freshly dug up and all^the simple, joys of. the coun try! But"! want you to meet tonight some of out Marsovian nobility?for instance,. Prince D4nllo, a dwrmihj? young.fellow. He'll be-here presently. Danilo 1?."? ...... . . i But the mischief had died out of Sonia's eyes. Her face was paler than-' ! was its wont, and there -was a stern look as of pain about the daintily chiseled mouth. "1 have already met Prince Danilo," she eald curtly. : ' "Iteally?" cried Popoff. Then, not ing her change of expression, he added with apprehension: . . "I hope it was not oil one of his wet j days?a charming, lovable youngster iu spite of his"? "I am not interested in hearing about him," broke hi Sonia hi a curiously, level, emotionless' voice, "ft was long ago that we met. He will have forgot -teu me even as?as I have forgotten him. Let us talk of something else, please." ' Even Popoff could see something was seriously amiss. , . CHAPTER II. Old Love and New. " ELL, here T am.'' announced 1A| a tall, slender youth, entering j/W Ihe deserted salon a few rnin I utes later wilh Nish at his side. "I'm here at my country's call, all right, but my confounded country doesn't seem to be on hand to meet me." Hi? graceful walk was not wholly steady, and thcro was a flush on the handsome young face. The late ar rival was Prince Danilo of Marsovia, attache of the Marsovian legation at Paris. As a diplomat he had scarcely I scored a success, for he had a delight fully normal aversion to work and a aimple. unfailing joy in ibe amuse ments of Maxim's and his clubs. "I'll hunt tip .his excellency at ouce," Nlsh was assuring Ibe prince. ''Are are you quite in condition to see blm, if I may"? "Oh, I'm all right enough," yawned Danilo, "only I forgot to go to bed last night. If I could reel off a few yards of sleep"? "Perhaps I could find you some place to"? "I'd prefer a desk, it you can find one. I always sleep best at my desk. But I suppose"? "There is a couch, sir, over in the ??orner behind the palms. How would that do? You could get a nice nap there, and In a little while I'd find his excellency for you. But, sir, if I may say so, why do yon waste your life in dissipation when yon^ might inarrr^and I THE LATE ARRIVAL I settle down? Jnst think, now'! Would i not "a deaFlitne^'ffe'TliiU Ti"Tjoine~oI your own be better worth while thun all your clubs? I leave it to you if"? "You leave it to me?" retorted Da nilo. "Then 1 make it clubs."' "But, if 1 may say so"? "You may not," interrupted Danilo, crossing to the couch. and throwing hltnscif at full length among its cush ions. "?y by! 'If you're waking;'call, me early*/':" ??.'?.-. '?'. He spread a handkerchief, oyc.r. bis face ..and in a .moment., was sound asleep, leaving NIshto' tiptoeout in j search'of t'?poft*.' .h'or a' few m?iiites no sound was i audibhi in the e|np((y.,aaJon save the I distant swell nmV-fall o( dance .music, j punctuated, by. tbc slnmbrons. prince's' I heavy breathing.. Then Natalie hUrrieir' in' with De .loUdon;- 'Both looked !a'nxloiiii/-v*. '???' ? r^Howv^areless ef pic!"/the :ambaN aa^r'^wife, .wa? exclaiming. '.'Whew* can I have'dropqe?! 1 lie., m jserajh'.e. fd n ? T If' my husband should pick it up and ? Snd'oh It thofcV wdrdR you were foolish ' enongli to wrHe? 1 wonder if t left j It in the niche on the stairs when we j were sitting there. I,et's go hack and see." ? They turned back, almost eolMding with Sonia, who was entering. Cas pnda directly behind her. "Oli, Mine. Sadowa." asked Natalie, "you haven't, seeii anything of n white Ivory fan? I've looked everywhere, and"? / ".No." replied the widow; "but I'll, look in thls rooprif you haven't made a thorough search here already." "Natalie, thanking her. hurried back with her ?'oyalier to the stairway. Sonia idly lK*gan her search, hut Cas eada interrupted her. "That can wail," he pleaded, "but 1 cannot. Won't you hear me?" "Certainly," absented Sonia cheerful ly. "You are going to propose, aren't you?" ".Ah, you read my secret!" "It required lit!le cleverness. Yon men are. all-alike." ? "Rut po man ever- before loved as I love.'"' protested Qnscada, his voice un t'ohsvi?USiy rising in his emotion. "You are all the world to inc. 1'ulil I met you I never lliought I could"?' ,' j ,"Ith?g oft"!" grumbled Danilo jn his sleep, vaguely bothered by the loud voice. Sdnia'slarled. ' "Some hue here!" she whispered, pointing .-toward the hidden couch. "You are mistaken," eontradielod Cascflda, "and even if it wore so I am willing for all the world to know how i ?.?jt^j??::??.' *t : .. ??>:. . :. ? .. ... A loug,-blissful, sonorous snore, from I tlic couch. j Sonia laughed, her eyes 'alight with amusement. " /'Snoring- and romance don't go well together, marquis," she observed, "ami as the snoring doesn't seem likely to Stop the romance must. You say you are in love with me, and I kuow yon ?are in love with my fortune. Good by." . - "Yau misjudge me cruelly!" .Ca scad a protested. "Oh, no, I don't! Men are all alike, G?ddby."' As the discomfited marquis made his way wrathfully from the room Sonia mrscbierotisiy crept- across to the conch.' ' There lay" the man, sound ?rfisieep, his -face still-covered by the handkerchief. Souia touched his hair. "Seat"''., roared Danilo, giving his head a shake that let the bandkereblcf fall from his face. "Danilo^" gasped the widow, starling back. At sound of his name the prince sat up, dazed and blinking. His wander ing eyes fell on the woman, and, with 'an'exclamation of utter amazement, he stumbled to his feet and stood staring incredulously at ber. "Sonia!" be exclaimed. "Sonla!" Then, recovering himself, he bowed stiffly and said: "I beg your pardon, madame." "No: I her svqsSx1 she replied. ! WAS PRINCE DAMLO. "Pray go on snoring.'* ?'Yon don't remember me?" he asked, surprised, "Not in the very leasl," she an swered; moving away. ?.. '"Yet you called my name." "Yon wore: asleep then. That was different." ' ' "And now I mit awake-to the joy of seeing you again.". . "The joy is all your. own. Is it so surprising to lind me In Paris? I am here enjoying my wealth?and free dom!"- ? ?'. . "l eongratulate yon.on. both, especial ly., the freedom-". "Yes. freedom is one of your fads,.I lie] love." remarked Som'a. "especially ~freodoTrf"froiu marriage:1 Do you-still maktf o? hRblfc of folding, marriage? nt nhe.Jasb moment ? . ? ,/ J ?*?' "Soiil?,.-i ypo.^e.re HDjUBtN".IT ft Had ;Tested,wilU meyou; shonld be my wife, imw. not another ..man's, widow." ";"**!f''lV resfud ivifl? you?" silie htba lekeii;- '. "Wielr; 4i*t-Hie whole'story rest now: , t('? forgotten." VBy you. perhaps-riicver by.ine." "Qh. no! I remember itevery now pand 'hen for my own ?jmusemenl. But [It Is hard'to think ^if myself as the ; little Marsovian peasa naid to whom .the dashing cavahy officer, Prince Dauilo. was once engaged and whom j his rich old uncle at the last moment forbade to ularry because of her 'pov erty. Mow differcutly that, same rich ?ld mx lc would look on the match In .day! Twenty mi II In as is a pretty "BreVEB! NE\ Continued in t" dowry." "At loast M seems you didn't break your heart over loslug me." sneered Danilo. "No; my plebeian' heart stood the shock excellently. I soon found con solation?an elderly husband who lived just one week after the wedding and left me all his wealth." "Yes; 1 heard how your father forced you into the match. Next time you can choose a husband to suit your self." "Why should I many again? I am rich. free. 1 have everything" "Including love?" he asked, his eyes devouring her fragile beauty. "I don't believe in love." scoffed Son in. "All men are alike. Dozens of them are after my money and make love? fo me because they can't get it without me." "Men are no! all fortune hunters," he denied holly. "1 for one"'? t "So they all say. Each says 'I love you!' Bach means my fortune." "Thry do':" cried Danilo. in rage at the strong insinuation. "Well, here's : one that doesn't. I for one shall never say to you. 'I love yon." ": A strange smile stole.across her face. She came very close to where he stood; so close that the faint perfume of her hair was sw ?t in his nostrils: so close that her breath was warm upou his j lips; so close that his bewildered soul struggled in vain to hide from (lie glory [ in her eyes. Der voice was a musical ! whisper as she asked: "You'll never say to me 'I love you?'" There was an infinity of allurement j hi the tempting words. Danilo. with a mighty effort, shook off the spell and shouted: j "Never! Never! Never!" "That's a comfort!" she said coldly. drawing away and seeking to veil her. keen disappointment. "But," she added more softly, "why not say it if you really want to?" "I don't want to!" he declared sulki ly. "And you promise faithfully you'll never say to me, '1 love you?'" Again she was perilously close to him. Again his eyes tore themselves free from the pleading seductiveness of hers as he reiterated: "1 promise! I'm not going to make a fool of myself or be made a fool of." ; *"Is that ? a .declaration of war?' queried Sonia., , "No?of friendship. Do you mean to say if T asked you to be my wife you would inerely la ugh at me?" "Probably. All men are alike." 'They are uoi. and in time I'll prove. It to-you." Before she could answer the ambas sador and several of the guests came into the .room. At first opportunity l'opoff drew Danilo aside. "Prince," said he impressively, "yon have now been attached to this lega tion nearly four months and"? . "Few of my. attachments last so. long," observed Danilo. "You refer to your love affairs? f have heard of them. ? They have brought you lo rhe brink of ruin. You arc almost penniless. Here Is my p'an to.save you.-also, to give you a chance to save. jour.country from bankruptcy,, i want yon to jn'a'rry." "To what?" cried Danilo.: .'To marry?beautiful woman, my-bdy ?twenty millions-'-Mme. Soniu. Sadow?! Hey?" ,sw x ?....,.?... ' "Never,!", returned Danilo, angrily^as" he rose to end 'the?interview.'"' "Then a Frenchman will marry her. and her fortune and our country:'will be ruined." s ??- ? . , ... v j: "1 won't marry her." repeated Panllfc, "and she won't marry hie. Hut for my country's sake I'll keep.any French man from marrying her." "Hut how?". "You shall see"' he next issue of af Kohn's new Arrivals in fall and WINTER GOODS DAfLY. OUR force. LS CONTINUALLY BUSY MARKING AND SHOWIN? THE RICH NEW GOODS DIRECT FROM THE OVER-FLOWLNG MARKETS IN THE NORTH. New Tailor Made Waists?You wit" be delighted at the richness and new ness shown in this particular line. A handsome. lot indeed. All made full and elegtmt!y ? tailored. Many with pretty black checks, dots and figures: others plain-, ?ome with beautiful Peri lustre embroidery. Pleasantly prired 50 cents to $2.73. ? New 31uslin Underwear?The hand somest line, of goods we have ever had. Very reasonably priced and of excellent cut and design. Drawers. . ..'.'. . .50c to $1.7."? Combination corset cover and ?skirts.;.$1.25 to $2. Corset Covers , ..25e to 85c Skirts ..5?C to $1.7."> Gowns..75c to $2.5!) New Neckwear, Kairgoods and Flclts: "Phyche" Combs?latest for the coif fure; ribbon effect; plain 15 cents; with ribbon, 23 cents. "Hair light" cr?wns, the best, 2.">c and 50c. The sheath comb, side combs, barrettes. all the latest goods, 15c, 25c and 50c. Among . the Novelties?Children's Sacks; all colors; plaid tops; differ ent -sizes'; even extra goods.'. ..25c j' aoiSd'J'i :.? ? . New Queen Quality Shoes?$400; and it is a beauty, button or lace, patent loot , and feet top in black, brown, Copenhagen and navy. Priced many ways to suit your pocket book; see' other'abd styles. ne\V-goods ARRIVING DAILY. If it's stylish?"Get it at Ho'in's." * Onmgeburg, S. C YOUR WANTS. FIRE INSURANCE ' " 'Ndi cox'ijp ' tosnrance but ir? . suranedthnt tnsnrcs yon against all loss by fire or lightning. I do uot represent small rou xuobr with, 'no capital, who have *u,assefs.-tho policy noldiers to cover, each loss hut t*"? of the oldest and strongest companiee ;; doing busi jCHS woxth more than ?100,000,000 and v. ho nave paid more -than 81,000,000,000 in , .tofijSeSJ-'-.-v " ,?M r,:. ... ?.i:^^.ti7^..dn'ClIlBgSt barns, and outbuild:>igs, together with their contents nU. written, and I have *y sa^med customers in every sec tion of the comity. Improved gins insured and al so cotton on nlnntntions. Office with 7z3ster3j UNION TELEGRAPH CO., neit door to i)r: J. G. Wannanwdter Mfg. Co., v here you will find me from 8 . a., m., to 8. p. m.' . Office j -icpN ne Nr. 21. RosidcKC tit 1812, W. K. SEASE. Declaration of Intention to Apply For Charter. South ;Carolina'Orengeburg County. The. undersigned petitioners, here by gjve notice that after legal notice of this' Declaration, they will apply to the Hon. Secretary of State for a Charter for The .Morgan Milling Company, composed of Reese H. Morgan, J. T. Corbett and Frank .White, all of Springfield, So. Ca. That the cash capital of said cor poralon shall bo not less than Twelve Hundred Dollars, with the right to increase same to- Twenty-Five Hun dred Dollars. : ? . That place. of -business shall lie three miles east of Springfield. That the^purpose of this company shall bo 'giTinihg cotton. sawing lum ber,' grinding corn and a general milling business. That the number of shares shall not be less than Forty-Eight, of a par value of Twenty-Five DollaVs each.. 8-11-41. 13. H. Morgan, j. T. Comett, 1 Frahk White. Land For Sale. S4 acres of Land North of Or angeburg and witain thirty mnutes drive of the Court House, 3 00 acres upon cly sub-soil, remainder wood land. Will sei as a whole or Ja tracts. Apply to L. P. Zeigier, 7-31 -tf Neeces, No. 2, S. C. For Sale. ' Ma.sbn*ForceMn Lined Fruit Jars, with extra caps and rubbers; can make prompt shipment at low prices;, send us your orders. i. M. Pearlstine & Sons, 201 and 203 East Day St, Charleston, S. C. For Sale or Rent. One store, dwelling and lot on the main street of Rowesville, 9. C. In the business part of town. Apply to W. AI. Edgeman, 9-7-4 ? Rowesville, S. C.