Argosy All-Story Weekly, April 19, 1924 — page 57: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

A CROWN this. What is the good? away.” ‘“T don’t know how I can leave you,” he said passionately, and his voice so over- came me that I hid my face, and he caught me closer still. ‘“ Betty, you do like me more than a little,” .he said, with a low laugh. ‘“ But it isn’t any good.” ‘““ But we have five evenings more—five wonderful evenings! And won’t you let me take you somewhere for a meal, Betty— some quiet place where we can talk?”’ “No, no,” I replied. ‘I have told you, I mustn’t! Jam not allowed.” ‘What nonsense! But we are friends.” “Only in the ballroom, Peter,” I said firmly, and he let me go rather suddenly. “IT beg your pardon,” he said in an of- fended voice, and the autocrat showed through the young man making love. But his voice melted immediately. ‘‘ Oh, Bet- ty, it’s too bad of me! I’m seeing you home because of the fog. I oughtn’t to worry you.” It was such a frank, generous admission that tears came into my eyes. “I must go,” I said. “ Thank you very much, Please don’t come any farther with me.” “T Jove you, Betty,” was all he an- swered. “Say you love me!” 3 “No, no; I mustn’t! You are going away.” I clung to that statement of his. “J know, but it makes no difference. You are the only girl I’ve ever loved. You You are going just took possession of me—this sudden love—it is the real one.” I couldn’t listen to any more. have broken down. I turned to go. “Say at least we will be friends,” he pleaded. “ Yes,” I said, “ we will be friends if you wish it.” 7 “We can be friends at a distance, Betty. If I stayed near you, I should want more. T should have to have more.” ‘ Good-by,” I said. “Friday,” he answered. “ Friday, Bet- ty. And no dancing with anybody but me.” “ That is not for me to say,” I answered, trying to be prim. My heart was beating I should FOR SALE. 527 madly. I was so happy, as I turned down the street after a last handshake, that I could have two-stepped all the way to Bunch’s house. CHAPTER VI. BLISS AND SADNESS, 7 ING PETER being in England strict- ly incognito, no formal entertainment was given by any of the royal fam- ily. But I was sent for to the palace, and so very kindly received, with Peter, who was invited to return before the wedding on a visit of state. We were to be married some time in June in the capital of Flora- nia—a lovely city of the sea, like Venice, built on several islands, with waterways everywhere, and with beautiful old houses. The Princess de Chanterelle gave a luncheon party at which the royal princes were present. The king showed at his very best with the other boys, but again I was at my very worst. It was just like fate. I had toothache. I think I had caught a chill in the fog. And to me Peter was just as usual, formal, polite, but entirely lacking in interest. He had accepted me; that was what it came to. He had no curiosity about me. I was the girl with millions he was going to marry. He did not attempt to get to know me. I suppose now that that was why my mas- querade as Betty Fane was so successful. After luncheon Peter and the princes went to play tennis in the covered court, Baron Leomar and the other guests took their leave, and the princess asked me to come and have a little chat with her in her boudoir. Bunch had not been at the lunch- eon, because she had had to go to the coun- try for the day. The princess’s boudoir was like herself— exquisite, perfect, finished to the last degree. The furniture was painted satinwood and the hangings were of the very palest blue. Everywhere were pink roses, some in silver bowls, some growing in silvered wicker bas- Kets. There were heaps and heaps of orna- ments, little bronze and silver statuettes, snuff boxes, china figures, and any amount of photographs. oO CeORMicelOCw “S (S@)