Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-29
CHAPTER XIII.

CHAFTER XIII.
"After ALL said the prince, looking UP
from the vine list, why cannot 1 be salts
fed with you? And why cannot you be sat
isf1ed with met It would save SO much
trouble"
Lady Carey, who was slowly unwinding
the white veil from her picture hat, shrug
ged her shoulders.
MY dear man. she said. you could not
seriously expect me to fall in love with
you"
The prince slipped his wine-a cabinet
hook Of rare vintage-and found 1t good.
He leaned over toward his companion.
why not?' he asked. Il wish that you
would try-in earnest, I mean. You are
capable of great things. l believe-perhaps
of the great passion itself"
Perhaps" she murmured derisively.
And yet" he continued. there has al
ways been in our love-making a touch Of
amateurishness 1t IS an awkward word
but l do not know how better to explain
myself"
swered. II can also. 1 think. explain it..
1t is because 1 never cared rap about
you"
The prince did not appear altogether
pleased. He cured his fair mustache, and
looked deprecatingly at his companion. She
had so much the air Of a woman who has
spoken the truth.
my dear Muriel!" he protested.
one lOOkeu at MIN lHSOleHlly.
my good man." she said whatever you
do don't try and be sentimental You know
quite we'll that have never in my life pre-
tended to care rap about you-except to
vious Very young girls and very old wom-
en- would rave about you. You simply don't
appeal to me. Perhaps l know you too we'll
What does 1t matter!''
He sighed and examined a sauce critically
They were lunching at Princes alone, at a
small table near the wall.
"Your taste.' he remarked little spite
fully. would be considered a trifle strange
Souspennier carries his years well, but he
must be an old man."
She slipped her wine thoughtfully.
"Old or young" she said ''he Is a man.
and all my life 1 have loved men-strong
men. To have him here opposite to me at
this. moment, mine, belonging to me. the
slave of my WILL 1 would give-wel,
would give-a year Of my life-my new tiara
-anything!''
What pity" he murmured. "that we
cannot make an exchange. you and I, Lu-
ellie and her:
"Ah. Lucille" she murmured. well.
she Is beautiful That goes for much. And
she has the grand air. But, heavens, how
stupid!'
"Stupid!'' he repeated doubtfully
She drummed nervously upon the table,
cloth with her fingers.
ooh. not stupid in the ordinary way of
course. but yet fool. 1 should like to see
man or devil try and separate us II I be-
longed to hm-until 1 was tired of him.
That would come. of course. 1t comes al
ways. 1t is the hideous part of life"
You look always" he said, "a little too
far forward. 1t is mistake After all, it
is the present only which concerns u.s."
Admirable philosophy" she laughed
scornfully but when one Is bored to death
IN the present one must look forward or
backward for consolation"
He continued his lunch in silence for
while.
81 am rebukedr' he said
There came pause in the courses. He
looked at her critically. She was very
Of dove-colored gray. The ostrich feathers
which dropped from her large hat were al
most priceless. She had the undeniable air
Of being person of breeding. But she was
paler even than usual, her hair notwith-
standing Its careful arrangement, gave
signs of being little thin in front. There
were wrinkles at the corners of her eyes.
She knew these things, but she bore his in
spection with Indifference.
Il wonder" he said redectively. what we
men see in you You have plenty of ad-
mirers. They say that Grefton got himself
shot out at the front because you treated
him badly. Yet-you are not much to look
at. are your
She laughed at him. Hers was never a
pleasant laugh. but this time it was at
least natural
How discriminating" she declared II
am an ugly woman, and men of taste usual
ly prefer ugly women. Then am always
wen QTeSSeu. 1 KNOW now TO wear my
clothes, And I have a shocking reputation
A really wicked woman. 1 once heard pious
old Lady Surbiton call me! Dear old
thing! 1t did me no end of good Then I
have the very great advantage of never
caring for any one more than few days
together. Men find that annoying"
you have violent fancies," he remarked,
land strange ones"
Perhaps" she admitted. "They concern
no one except myself"
This souspennier craze, for instanceW
She nodded.
We'll. you can't say that I'm not honest.
1t Is positively my only virtue. 1 adore the
truth. I loathe lie. That is one reason,
I dare say, why I can only barely tolerate
you. You are shocking-a gross liar"
'Murie1!'
ooh, don't look at me like that" she ex-
claimed irritably You must hear. the
truth sometimes. And now, please remem-
Der that I came to lunch with you to hear
about your visit-this morning"
The prince gnawed his mustache, and the