Part 1 (1/2)

Princess Maritza

by Percy Brebner

CHAPTER I

PLAYING TRUANT

A breezy ht of rain Fleecy clouds, some in massive folds and fantastic shape, sohosts, were driven rapidly across the blue Hurrying shadows flecked the swelling boso it rippled like a green sea,upward, ever-di specks to the e, and a thousand perfu to live in, to enjoy, to take into one's lungs in deep, intoxicating draughts, until the sorrows of life and its cares were forgotten; athe future with hope and the pro of the aspect of thewas reflected in the face of the ainst the wind He was above the average height, but did not give the i tall His frath and power of endurance above the common were evident in every movement; and there was a quiet determination in his face which proclaimed hi he undertook, no ht stand in his path, one ould ht forward to his object even as he breasted the downs this ing, as ht have hesitated to give an opinion in spite of the well-cut, clean-shaven face, and the dark blue eyes which never looked away from a person hom their possessor talked

Perhaps there was a want of syentle deference which so appeals to wonition of the woman's pohich is so pleasant to her

Desmond Ellerey had had little to do omen He did not pretend to understand them, and it had never occurred to him that there was any reason why he should strive to do so He had experienced pleasant moments in their company, but one woman was pretty much the same as another to hi as a faded flower, or a glove, or love token of any kind held a place ale heart throb which love lent a sense of pain to, and it seemed unlikely that any woman would wish to do so now For Desmond Ellerey was a loo could not entirely dispel from his face He had set himself to bear his burden bravely, but the task was a heavy one Surely those straightforward blue eyes gave the lie to ainst him?

There were few hours in the day in which he did not brood over his trouble, over the loss of his career which it involved, and as he approached the top of the downs his eyes were bent upon the ground in deep thought, while in his heart was fierce rebellion against the world and his fellow men

He was suddenly startled by a sharp and shrill ”Hallo!” and at the sa past him a little to his left A run of a few yards enabled hiers, regardless of the flowers and ribbons upon it Then he turned to discover the owner

She was standing on the su in the breeze She did not coo to her

”I a her the hat

”I hardly expected it would be when I saw the way you dived for it,”

she answered with a sot past you, it would have been good-bye to it altogether Isn't this a ?”

”Very pleasant after the rain,” he said

”Pleasant!” she cried ”Is that the best you can say for it? Pleasant!

Why itin the world which is beyond ht and overcoh at My blood is full of the very fire I of life, and I pant to do soeous, desperate Don't you ever feel like that?”

”Soood to be a h places waiting to be won There is nothing out of his reach, if he strive sufficiently, no honor he may not win to Oh, I wish I were a man!”

There was a half-whimsical smile upon Ellerey's face, at her enthusiasm, and in his eyes a look of admiration, which he could not conceal, at her beauty Her loose hair strea in the as the color of burnished copper, rich as a golden autu sun Her eyes were dark, yet of a changeful color, as full of secrets as a deep pool in the hollow of a wood, quiet, silent secrets which presently, when the tiry and tempestuous h she aiting for soer expectation, revealed an even row of pearly teeth, and the pink flush of health and beauty was in her cheeks She was tall: with her hair done up, would have passed for a woht; with it down, and her frock to her boot-tops, she was still a girl, a beautiful girl, a very pleasant picture to conte as you suppose,” Ellerey said after a pause

”He has a freedoirl answered quickly

”Oh, yes, women try, especially in this country, I know, but it is never the same She cannot be a statesman, she cannot be a soldier

She cannot take her life by the throat, as it were, and win place and power by the sheer force of a good right ar the man after he has won place and power,” Ellerey answered

”That sort of conquest does not appeal to me”

”Ah, but it will soretted his words, reirl