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change, and her Instinct warned her whlflh ahe wow rowh- ’Wftli ltf 'BaTKr'Ue “You surprise me very much,” she said. “Louise Maurel is u very won- derfi^l wjoman, but she seems to spend the Whole of her time with ray cousin, tbe . wince.” ‘ N “They are, without doubt', yery friendly,” John assented. “They have W * JOHN HEARS MYSTERIOUS PHRASES WHICH TROUBLE HIM WITH GRAVE DOUBTS ABOUT LOUISE-AT TIMES "V»4ta ip '^ S^nopsis.—Louise* Mantel, Litticai* actress* making a motor tour of r?ir;11 T-higland. was'-obliged, wjoiii her j ar broke down, to spend the night'at the ancestral home of Stephen HmlJoho Stnmgewcy, bachelor wobia'ii-hateK in the rurtjherlam) distrldi;. BefottwFbe left t/ie next day sin* hud captivated John. Three months later he webki<> London nod Utokeil her„ttp. She introduced hlm/tn lier. friends, amougt>ep) (JrjilHurv a playwright, nod Sopiiv G.ofanl, a light-hearted litti<* act ress/^ohn, puritanical‘{ti hi* vie>vK, tintem/the gay; bohemian,file- of (lie city. WtlU erifhushism.* It .w as sobq.seen.(but .Iolpi and; I lie prLu-c of Seyre were rivals fni tip* heart arid. Land of IiOpi.*e,-/Sophy ;iUer> Tbye<rUoh!i‘, 1 seerelly. The prince fried to entice ,h>lm Into .evil nays by sending fuM'iniii.iug "uotuen io charm and be/levij hfni.'" ... • \ /. : ’ • — “what makes you live lit a hotel? Why don’t you'take rooms of your ovrn and furnish them? Surroundings incq these are destructive to one’s individuality!” ■ “Weil, you' John explained, ht he drew an easy chair up lokthe fl for his guest, “my tjitny in London is x m. . 0 good many Interests In cbmmon, and the princess connected with the syn dicate which finances the theater*/I, do not imagine, 1 however, that the prince wishes to marty her, or She him.?. Lady Hilda began 'ft> laugh, aqftiy. hut as If genuinely amused. John sat and .watched her in ominous silence. Not the flicker of a smile /nrted Ills lips.' Ills visitor, however, wae* Undis turbed. Shed caned over urnl patted “Oh, It lsn/t interesting,” ahe said. is a lawyer and moderately welt off. He bus wanted roe to marry him for years. He ’was fa friend ,ofmy/bjrotp- ep’s. lately he has been bothering a little more,than usual—in fuct, I sup pose I huve received what might be called an ultimatum, ne came up yes terday, and I went out With him last ntght. He has gone back to Rath this morning, and I,have promised to let him know in a month. -I think that Is why I went out to Waterloo bridge in a 1 mackintosh and got/^et.” • lie led her away, uud they passed down (he room; his seat. “Sophy;” he demanded hoarsely, “tell me the truth, Is tta>re anything'be tween tfee prince and^LoulSe?” * Sophy nCrvpusly crumbled up the toast by her side. - - “The prince admires Louise, and has done so for many years,” she answered. “No one knows anything else. Louise never speaks'of him to me, I cannot “But/ou must know,” he.persisted* with a little break fn bis voice. Iir , .... .. T * , . «.w, a little break fn bis voice. “For- ** 'I 11 * e,vn ,»0, Sophy, If I ris* ftf my- tically. “I like him, I suppose,” Sophy sighed. "That’s the worst of it. Jf I didn't like Lliii, there might hie* ponte ■ chance,, *1- ean’t . realize'rnysClf ever doing more CHAPTER XlV-^Continued. ’i , «»U]y a temporary ohe, and it hasn’J Marled worth while to settle any where/’ / ' . I,i: She stretched out lier graceful body In front of the fin* nniLfnised her‘veil. Shu was'very Smartly dressed, as usual. Her white silk stockings, whictr-sh* seepjed to. haw bp objection to dis playing/ were of the latest vogue. The chinchilla around lp*r neck and In her little* toque-w as most becoming. She Keetaed dpt- bring/.with lw»r an ntmos- ph4?tte Indefinable, Jn its way. but dis- iiuedy attractive^ Brisk in her speech, a little commanding in lmr manner, she Was still essentially feminine. his hand. “Siinple Simon!” /she murmured, Waning a little toward him;■ fTf you and If pe expected more, as r»f course he would, then I should probably hate him,He tried 4o kiss me on, the way g<>on looking like that, I shall pat.’to the station, and I nearly scratched your\heeks, too. You are.renlly trmvli him. That Isn’t litre mo, you know. I rather like being- kisS?<T sometimes.” self. First Lady Hilda, and then Cir«i!- lot, and tindi-r-'Well, I thought. Louise might have rung-up Jtn see whether 1 - 'Was at liome, if /shecame back sooner tlum she, expeetod; and the prince took the’table lost nig “There is no secret ahbtit it, so fat —6— • • ' ’I am concerned.’' John answered. ! •!'d*n, at her direct Invitation^ had -Sometimes with MBs Maurel, sbme- • “If Ife Lotiise Maurel;.,. 1 thought you] Caile«d upon her eVned or tufee ,since times with her little friend, Sophy OA-■ mUit\ ha Vo giteksed.” ' • | i lieir meeting at tl«* opera, and he had raid, and sometime^ alone," .feint re- lc TbA two men looked at each othey. f"Uiid lp-r,- from the first, more at- plied. “I have .bought a- in -tdlencc for some inooBfints. 'Odf on trticili.ve than any bfher society w oman taken a taxicab by tlip day, and dmre^-tdw* 'river a Tittle tug was Udoting vjg "T his acquuintuuce. too nido looking to wear such thnn- der. cloudfe "Pertiaps if we chose some other subject of conversation—" Jojin said ’ study. “Oli, nletir Lie !’* she Interrupted. “Very well! Y<m really 'nre-u most, trying person, you kumv. I put np with a'great deni from you.” - Jehu was silent. Her. face darkened a little, apd air angry light flushed in her eyes. • / - “Well. I’ll, leave you atone If you , She leutied. oyer and patted him on the* hand. \ - “DotnH worry.” she hCggcd. “If Lou ise has to choose'sony? day between him and you, I, don’t thipk she’ll hesi- John buried himself-in the wine-list. \\ ell,” he admitted, “it doesn’t sm,n «l vt> ry hopeful. _ I’m UO sort of judge in these" matters.' but I have beard lots of people-bay that one gets oniyll right nffer marriage without ear- lug very much before. You don’t seem to have a; very comfortable life now, do you?’/ “Conffortalile? No, but I yni frAe, Sophy replied (puckly. “I: can come In and' go out when I please, cpwise my None flie less, he like,” she decided, tossing her cigarette A*" 11 -friends. It’s ratliei/fino to be Info the grate. “If my friendsiup isnY here, you know to .tm/Tu the utnios- woctlr having, let It go. It ha/[‘t even if tluyfimelight mfsseS often been offered in Vain. « There, ure ,rTu: - ; nh*j*e mert In London t,han I coujd count i sighecj/ and regarded /her who would go down on their knees for i thought fullw/ ’*\ on re a queer littlf. .»!I 1 lie Sights. I’ve spent weeks in tlie; .iroiisly,' Ti^mir of thn m t ,.n mv was a litfio piT*- i surh u - vlslt 11 s 1 ;H L. jtuy National gallery, picture gazing, and ! Into. The room. /On the iuantol- eut yLsit. ' * j yott—you,” she added, , I've done irll those more modern shows V’f'.v ornate. Fremh clock' was ‘Tlvactly why are you 'heW\. any- ' bf nnpyi- tip round Bond street. 1 have bought*u -ticking lightly. * , Alt these sounds ho4?” she demanded, ^fpt+^ire that “ you . ^‘ to ° bittjefidly P<> tying .vq you. And racing ....car and learned to drive-It. 1 have been tq dinner parties (hat have bored me stiff. I have liecn introduced to crowds of people whoop! never wish to see again, and made ohe Or two friends,” lie added, smiling at his guest, ‘‘for whom. I hope I am properly grate ful. “The prince has been showing "you round a lot, hnsn’tjie?” (Jraillot gruut- ed.- “The prince has been extraordinarily kind to me,” John admitted slowly,'* “for what reason I don’t know. Lie lias introduced me to a great many pleasant and interesting people, and a gn*tt many > holu I • ..:“LuuWn\_luL. ,^uftm-*4-’-iH4^e^-’-bta--« - attaint'd n Uttb^arri.w-mind-'.'.vLired'.-^ ns-T5?rf:Tn])V^r hrward the ''hvc Iwo wWif»tir ymi - ^ Leaned Over and Patted Him you J breath," < - //■ ■ ed” ^ . /^‘Yoq haven’t either manners or sensi- | !° to ’ - ™tlines/ S de- j ® no , “ C * nea ^ j^nd seemed suddenly Jieeentua.«*d. They I'i-at t in it? to., n silence almost tragicul In its intensity. ’ , * , . Oraillot lor)|< olit’ ‘his 'handkerchief and dabbed his forehead. He had writ ten many plays, and the dramatic in stinct was strongly developed in him. suppose a young breath, ’ “She Is very different, I know.” John went on, after a moment's liesitatio’n. “She is very clevvj-imd a great artist, and she lives in an atiiiosphere of which, a few months ago, I. knew noth ing. I have come up hel*e J to try to understand,do try to get aiittje netirer T<» her.” X * * . There - was another silence, tips time almost, an awkward dire. Then (frail: Kuftane told nie the^jp^ason which hud ‘brought you from your wilds, hut t Jmve forgotten it.” ■'I’m* one ^tliiug,’.’- John' replied,’ “I- have come because I don’t want to ap pear prejudiced, and the fact that I never spent a month in London, or even with a little in> her tone, polite- and prig-, ing the bell forAffy girl. 8opj>y” % how glsb! Come .and lift. I am going!” She slid gracefully to her teet/&hook the (igarefte ash from her clpfnes, and picked up her muff. //. T “Yqn are r<*ally an egregious, thiek- headed, obstinate ctarmryman.” sin* <U'- course you don’t.” she answered, o^qne could. As for yoq. I suppose you AVllL marry Louise. What wilkhap-. pen to you lifter that, I don’t ^now. I’erhairt I sha’nT care so much 'ahmit- Lpndaa then. You’ve made it very nice fov me, you know.” ' “You’ve made it hearable even for me.” .he told her: “I often think how real attraction?” Lgfly ‘It is a woman, ismt it?’ fon*l of a vvoiufiii who John admitted. “1*er- “I will,respect your confidence,” lie .promised, ^holding out. his hand. “Have no.-fear of that*' I am due now al the theater. Your tea Is excelicnt, s and such little cakes I never tasted be- fore.” ' * " ■; "Yoti will wish-me good luck?” 4»V. Hi -a * * ed “What’s tii* Hilda asked. “I’um very is itr London,' hups it is ti'+ft* that I ani here on, her account.’^ - . ' • Lady Hilda withdrew from her muff a gold cigarette case bud a little box of matches. ^ ; - “Order some mixed vermouth with “Yoi| haven’t eitho hi 1 ity. I am a perfect idiot to. waste mv time upon you. J. .wouldn’t have done it/’.she added, as lie followed her 'dumbly down the corridor,-"if I hadn’t rather liked you!” “I am very sorry.” lie declared. "I don’t know quite what I have done. I do appreciate your friendship. LYou have -been very kind to mo indeed.” She hesitatted as his tinger touched Jj gilt fully companionable; enough to! turn line’s libad. ( have been shopping I. don’t know “No:" , . t . . “Why not?”>jphp demanded,’ a little startled, “rte< “from you both, there hre*n<i two peitpli this woiTd less Miltalrfefiir eaph other.” /’’Look here,” John expostulated. “I and I hate -tenCTttwr^vatch on Irer wrist. She sighed. wJiy 1 came to see .Vqu. j and watched the top of the lift, as it came up. Then she dropped, her veil. I suddenly thought >of it when j was in Bond street.” -4- “It was very kind of you,” John-said. Sf I had known, that you cared iflmut seeing me,‘I would have cotue'.to-you with pleasurin’” . CHAPTER XV. “What swered. tines it .matter?”' she f \ an- You are thinking, jier^nrps. ause." (JrailloB propotuiced. -j tbatj risk my r»*putatioh in coming to U|V, ‘ M - e v ‘''y ntiie t whni I -have seen'and- know of 11 .V’bTing man’s rooms? ; Tltme. things/ ;n ^ v ft great^. deal to til, there hre*iji> two people Iti ,‘i° count Tor. mo. Ljyer sin«u» I—lil'-^ffl— “Tliis is very nearly’ iny idea'of per fect happiness," Sophy murmured, as she leaned across J,he table and listened iiTTv. while John ordgttl-d the dinnec. “(live me very little to eat. Jdhn, and me. I am de- df am| worried T Scarcely understand her; everything we sav to one. another iseems wrong. I come away and leave her simply lo calise I feel that there Is a' wall bc- Tween us that I can’t get over." “There isn't really," Sophy sighed. “Louise- is a dear. - Considering every thing, I think she is-wonderful. But you are utterfy diTTeri-nt. /She is.,?ver.v complex, very emotional, and she has her oyi‘n stoVidards of life. You, on the othjpr hrtml, are very simple, very faith ful und honest, and you accept the Standard^ which Jiav^*-been made for you—very, very rigidly,'John. What are you looking at ?" v John’s whole expressi/ii) had stidden- ly qlufnged. His-eyes \Vc|e lixed UJion - the door, his fiiee wa*j stern as ii griui- j'ite block. Sophy ‘turned quickly. | around.-** The maitre d tiotel. .with An other satellite ijj his rear, was’welcom- nnd kindj Other days tafe very long i)ont look so stem. please. KpH look very vtntuesqt^- and perfect, hut I don’t \yupt to dine with u piece of seulptmv. • HememTTer that I am. finding you too attnsotivo. f.,r my peace of mind. TheruVyour text/’ He poured n glass of.wine and drank it off. • . . ' , ' 4 -• “I'll do my hesf,” lie agreed. “If it lieve that I apj»reei.ale everything yon'ye told me. You' are pretty, am.1 1 am.lucky to have you here. Now I'll -try to make you believe- that I think so." . V ‘ - • She 4e*Hfe*l over, so that her head al most touched* Lis. “(Jo on, please!" sbe .murmured. “Kveu if-it l.iults afterward,:it will be heavenly to listen'"to!” . - - • “There No Secret .About Louise Maural.” Jt is I" of iiii<n fn my posijluji should he glad know. He lias sj+o\Vn me one sqh London life prett> iherouglily.” "And what a.liotit it all?" <Jraillot demanded-. * "You tunl '-yourself .some- thing more of a citizen «>f the’ world. don’t want jou to go away thinking so. You don’t umloK*taml what this-means to tne." . ‘TVrhaps not. aiv- friend/’ (Jraillot replied, “bur remember that it is at least uiy trade to understand men mid women. I lii«*v iyl. since she was : a cliiJd." , “Then it* is^J tvlfhfn you doi/t ’ un derstand.” "That may 1m* so,” (Jraillot confessed. ‘‘(»iit* makes mistakes.. Let us ‘leave it til that. You are.a young man of undeveloped temperament. You .may Ire capable of much which at present I do not find in you-." - .. ' "Te’N Tne the one ,qualtty in whic h .vm.ii consider life* in os t lacking.” Jcihp tceggech ’■*/■-... And f. ’ (Jraillot replied, ys he* sh< was a child I huve jhme exjtctly as I . J.lked, and people have shrugged their j. Ami I, sltcmhlers tmcl said, ‘All,, well, it | s 1 n * n K L* lH*ejitlu only Lacly IlUchi!’ I am quite cou- vincetf that if I chose to take you .off tc) .Monte. Carlo with ihe next week and .spend a month with you there, I should, ge t toy .pass to the royal, indo- ktieivvu—Lcuiikw, Mau4LUiT. nt Aseot wtu*h I returned,* and my invitation to the next*court bail, even i'n this era of starch. Yog see, they would say, ‘It is only Lady Hilda!”’ The Waiter brought the vermouth, wlth/i hi-- visitor sipped contentedly. - “Sp.flrerc is a woman, is the.re?" she went oil, looking across the room at her c ompanion. “Have--'you committed [yourself already, then? Ljon’t you re lic* declared, “fuii just begin- again. I don’t think. I- umlorstniid women, Sophy.” “Wasp’t yohr weekend party a suc cess?”'she asked. “Not altogether,", lie-confessed ; “but don’t let’s talk about it. Tell me what is depressing you. // “ The next night Sophy acted us sht»w tug wtttl tutfe'h Ceb lnony two lutely a<l- i man at the liisfpi^ducrmtrrff the piny; guests. Sophy clutched at the lot. k eh?” ' “Not a bit,” Jolm answered simply, : ids friend's band and hurried . off, A The more I See ol" the lift- .up ji.-iv. . “want only to l.o-on .tlic*;_siih* thai.will the smaller It seems (t».me. 1 mean, of , moah happiness for you both." niemher w hat* I told you tlie’flrst night we met after the opc*ra—ihat jt is I want yi»u on my side, 6ra,ii-j to yvart ?” . * - “Yes, I retiiember,” John admitted! “I meant it.” lb* laughed good-humoredly, yet not without sonic, trace of sclfrcnusclmi*.-. ness,.. 'nrrtTrrrrrv bre of ]it'e;TMine '- tie* lived i<\ a vouiig tiian •! 11 e, 1 c-ft—Hte like myself, who hasn’t; any profession! p.r**ssc'd. with a. or work upon wL.icli he cau cvuicen- trate his thought Then why do you stay? folvn made no iunmaliafc i c aily. In stead. he w alked t/i Hie wimioAr fit fns-t stHge+f tttfo.-iris memory th«x- disquic.- rorim ?i lit !/>■• ;vtiTTiT>Tty: .To.hu walked l»yck t<» Hie window, op •cl w ith a. sense . «>L„ soiij»*thiiig aliUost onmuiqs~''ia tla' 1’ivUihirmn’s manner, soniethTtTg^w lib h lie couici- rad f-atlicijn;. ag.ainst“w'Tiif*l_i^lre st mfgglyd in \ a in. Side Try side with'it. there “About myself, OY Thihgs'igeneriiTly?” ..“Yourself first.” “Well,, the most -respectable young man you ever* knew iti your Ilf**, who lives Iff Bath, wants me to marry him. I don’t think I could. I don’t think I con hi live in Bath, und I, don’t think f could marry anyone. And I’ve Just thirteen- shillings and fourpehce left, I haven't paid nascent, and my dress maker ...is calling for something on .account on Monday morning.” ' 1 "TIfere’s only one thing to answer - jto that,” John insisted chberfully. ~“I sitting" room and stoo'd looking-■■ across, -the Thames .with.a discontented tnqwti upon his face. Bc twemi him apd the. .Frenchman ic curious frieluUlviiWubl sprung up'daring tlie Ifist fcrspnioti 'I gather,” (Jraillot eoUHfpied. “tltu.f. tilde* whic-li liiv. pfo-sent relations with Louise. Find ch ve|np.-d. She was always ebnrml.rig when she had'any time to span,*—sometimes almost affectichiate. * >n the other hand, la* wits profoundly •nscious oC her desiae to k«*eji him to put il coindsely apfAVutlifulfy. yott a,tderm’s tengtii, for tin* present, ate the most 1 >c>p<m1 man m Lon dot*! j lie luyd. uenqiLtul. hyr .cU'Clsion with- There is sfitujefmiig" Iceliiml all (Ida ef-»odt.a niurtfiur.. lfe made* lujt few c*f- l’ort of ^oLrs. my friend. t*i lit yohr* forts Jn sc*c ,x bcr alone. iincKyvhen tligy ve round human being, into lYic-Tuct lb* turnTc s«juure placA> Speak the truth, now! Treat'me as a fulLer Confessor.", John sw ung roumPtipou ltis lu-*el. In the clear light it \yas olrvious that hv was u little .thinner in Tlie'iuce aud that some of the tan hacj gone frol complexion. % , * "I am staying up here, and going on, with It,” he announced doggedly,- “be- special cllaiiH ‘i; Upon her:notice. He wasYseiw ing his appren ticeship' doggedly and 'faithfully. Yet there wvre'tiincks like* t.lM*,*prt*serir when lie found his task both liatefuKand dif- lieuit, - - - - - \--- Hv walked nUalvssJy backward an^l onvnrd, chilling'against the* restraint jte narrow walls and the low ee said, "(ouldii’t it be /undone?” she asked lazily. .‘.‘Hr arc you one of those tesli-. -bus people*whe/«n* faithful forever? Fidelity," she continued, knocking the ash from her cigarette,, "is really, to my mind, tin* most bourgeois of vices. It comes from a want u&elasi.Hdty in the emotional fibers, ^’btlilng-in life inis bored me so ni\l£h...,as Hie fallh- fuJm*ss of-m^ LttvArs." t “Ycui ought' to put till this -into one of yotir books,"-JbhH/uggesfvd.^/ , “I probitldy shall, .when I write my renfUusceiices,” she replji'cj. "Tell no* mbem^cthis wmnai). Am) don’t stand aliout in llmt restless way at tin* other end of the room. Bring a Chair close to me—Alien*, bins**, to mv side!” ’ : - • • * ►. John obeyed, and hi\visitor contem plated him t hought fully through a little cloud oft-Ywhacco smoke. “Yes,” Khy*deeided. “there is no use 'denying it. You are hatefully good- ooking, and somehow or other I think yc>Air clothe^ luixie-dmpnvvbd you. You ing. A^stjddc'ii .dc'sin* had seized him- havlittle more air than.when you to fly bac-kHn ttbVldlls, -wividhed in first cahuvto tow ii. A re« you quite sure seconds a ^^75Tt cause of u woman/ r . ' y Graillot stpiqced eating, fdaced the ' tuLst though they might he; to struggle thut you hityfUi’t made up your mind remains of his cake lift lie saucer of hlsh-on his yeay through i lie’Idlndiug .ruin, uboutthls; wouhtp in a hurry?” rived tablecloth. The newcomers were Lou- ii»e and the* prince of Sevre. “I don't understand this!” John mut tered. his lips twitc hing, i • Sojdiy Gerard said, noHiing. Her Cheeks were pink with excitement. Suddenly Ianjise s'lpv Jobn and So- JtLy- : _-Sha_ sU«al quite still for u JtlcA m**nit: then she' ctfme toward them, slowly and ft little languidly, llu* prince* was still studying through his eyeglass the various tables which tin* head waiter was-offering for his con-' 1 shieriificih. . ’ “What an astonishing ’meeting’/’ Louise remarked, us she laid her hand 1 for u moment on Sophy’s shoulder i "What is gcyjng rtir,behind my hack?” j John rose very slpwly to his fc*(*t. He seethed taller than ever, and Louise’s smile remained unanswered. “The rain broke up my- week-end so long delayed bVeimse of (Jjalllot’s insistence on a scene that protnlsod to he startling to English playgoers.^ Her part was over at the end of the first act, and a Few minutes later she slipped into a semt by John’o oivie be-, hind the curtain. • * ’ -“What do you Hu irk of It so far?” \ she asked ft little anxiously. “It seems quite good/* John replied cheerfully. “Some very clever line*, and ail that sort of thing; but I can’t . quite-See what It’s all leading to.” party?” he explained, “and I’met'Sophy f Soptyy peered aroUnd the* house from behind the curtain. “There isn’t standing room any where,” slit.* declared;.' "I don’t sup pose thef'e ever was a play in London^ that- was more talked about; and then putting it off for more tlurn three months—why:,.there have beep ail sorts of rumors about. Do you' want So know* who the people in the audience _ iice?" - - , —. in-ilie Strand. In any case, I intended j “Not particularly/’ John answered, returning Tonight, /.understood that “I shouhln,’t- know them, if you told my. few L jUtKlerstoocl you-won Id n<H ]«• herA until tomorrow nj U) mt about eleven’b'clbck. !. “Those* were lay plans.” Louise re plied; “But, us/vcui Sec*. ,other ’ things have intcryenefl. Our little house party, too, was broken up by this ahoin- inable weather, and we-all motored up to to,wn. /The Faradays have gone home*. The prince* heard ffom Miles that* I wits, at home, and telephoned ute to dim*. Me void !” iLethn wine struggling-with a'crowd-of hateful‘thoughts. Louise was wearing-. a wonderful gowjn; he>r hair w as, beau tifully arranged ;• s)u r had, tjie air of a Woman whose toilet* was complete* and perfect-.down to the* slightest de>- “You Really Are an Egregious, Thick- Headed, Obstinate Country Man/* atn-going to lend you fifty pounds w;hlle tall. The prince's slow* drawl reached them distinctly. v . . ? “It was my servant’s fault, I sup pose,” he said.' “I fold him to ring up laat night and order (he table* for two?} In that corner. However, we will tpke the* vacant one near your de*sk.’’ He looked artrnfld and,ns if for the first time, missed Louise. He canoe toward them’ at opee. < ■^‘The prince sceuns, to have ordered his table last night,” John remarked, his toffe, even to himself, sounding Tfu*r;e* are just a few’ familiar faces. I see the* prince' In the box opjioslte.” ^Tt.Hd you telephone to Louise to- ,day?’^ Soppy asked. / John shook his head. “No. 1 thought it better to leave her alone* until after tonight.” • "You are going to the supper, of eourse?”* / V" “f have been asked/’ John replied, a little doubt f til ly. “I don’t quite know, whether. I .want to. Is It hepig givon by the.prince or hy the management?” ^ “The manageme*nt.”" Sophy assure hiirp “J)o y6ji'jpi)iue irnd take me!/hs going to be rather’furc." The curtain went up upoj/the sec ond act. .John, from 11le/liadows <>f the box. listened attamKely. The subje?ct was n«>t a ^particularly new^ one, but the wridtvgwas, brilliant. ie> T tlrrnk down long gulps of bis own teacup, ami laid i/down. .Then he opened his lips'te speak aitel''abruptly' purer, hYss civilized atmosphere, closed-them.fata* suddenly tinder- The telephone bell'cnng. He placed went an «*xtraordlnury change*. A few, the* receiver to Mbs ear almost me- i^de TjbMU’m iliiLL, "Quite, sure,” John laughed, “I sup pose 1 am rather aiKidhtt, 'but I am addicted to the-vke of whfch-yoU were siM*aking.'-' Site nodded. you make your mind up about flte - queer and. strained. object of study; now a more personal "Lady Hilda Mulloeh is' asking for note had liurtianized hi expression, you. sir/' the* had, portfr announced. WhateverTttfftight or reflection it w^s [' Lady Hilda peere d around John’s that had come iptq his mind, it had , room through ler lorgnette, and /did ‘plainly startled him. [-not hesitate to express her dissatlsfac- “Who is the/ vroBtiknY’ ha asked mthu tiling] rr, sue -sain you were not an ueh*pt in the urt of tiination. (Is it true* thut the woman is Louise Mahrel?” ' * "Ouite true^” John replied. / . ‘Rut don’t you-know-f^" > -!». She broke off abruptly. She jOtw the V ycaving man. She made a face at him. .' , “I couldn’t borrow money from struqge gentleman,” she protested. “Bubhishl* ha. exclaimed. /‘II nev^er mind! nger—uut there, We’ll see ubout that din ner. Tell me. more about your love af- fair,-Sk)phy.” • \ "itrlfift-’Fu love affair at all!” she ex claimed, almost, indignantly. , “Why, I am sorry. Year prospective Louise made no reply. The firince Vas already shaking hands with Sophy, "I thought yon \yere spending- the weekend with cousin, Strange- aTdfi hreuthlessly. > /dear |he exclaimed^ . face ot the maif by bet* aide suddenly alliance, then, shall I call ltr spend parF of It together," John replfcd. ’‘The weather dJCflyfLiia back this afternoon” . ^ “I congratulate -you both -on your good taste, H JMdd the prince. 'There Is nothing more abominable than a river- retreat ont of season. We are tak- the table on the left, Louise. M . There wits tin* old “Marquis de Guy,” a roue, a degenerate, hut still over bearing and full of personality, front whose lips -caine some of Gralllot’s mo^t brilliant sayings; Louise, his wife; and Faraday, a frieTid of the old marquis, aud obviously the intemh'ei lover of his wife. “I don’t aee nuything so terrible in this,’-’-John- remarked, an the crutaln went down once more and thunders of appluuse greeted some wonderful lines of GraiHot’s., ?*.-»in■ -*—«- , The myatory about th» life of Louise further trouble* John and he sets forth to gat the ex act truth, no matter how tragic for him it may be. - . tTO BE CONTINUEJJ.) * mupibw. "ty' -rp^i