Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1910-06-27

/ OF type an item IN the court ana So
ciety column had caught his eye
! Sir Charles and Lady wray who are
intending henceforth to reside In Eng
land. have returned to the stately Wray
mansion in Piccadilly, where they will
be for the season. Our well known gov
ernor and his lady are accompanied by
their niece. the beautiful and accom-
plished Miss Jocelyn Wray, only child OF
Sir Charles younger brother the late
Hon. Mr.. Richard Wray, whose estate in
3 cluded enormous holdings in Australia as
well as several thousand acres In Devon
shire. This charming young colonial has
already captivated London society.
John Steele read carefully this bit
of news and then reread it. He even
found himself guilty Of peruslng all
! the other paragraphs. the comings and
! goings. the fine doings. They related
! to a world he had thought little about.
world within the world. just as the
people who lived IN tunnels and dark
passages constituted another world
within the world. Her name danced
in illustrious company. Here were
dukes and earls and viscounts, a
sprinkling of the foreign element. be-
gums, emirs, the nations guests. He
saw also Sir Charles, Lady Wray and
Miss Wray" among the long list of
| box holders for that night at the
opera, gala occasion, commanded by
royalty for the entertainment of roy
atty and incidentally of certain bar
barian personages who had come
across the seas to be automatically
coddled and fed.
Folding his newspaper. John Steele
turned to his legal papers, strove to
replace idleness by industry, but the
spirit Of work failed to respond. He
looked at his watch, rang sharply
bell.
Put out my Clothes" he said to the
servant who appeared with a lamp,
land have a cab ut the door,"
The opera had already begun, but
pandemonium still reigned about the
box office. A thunder Of applause from
within. indicating that the first act
had come to an end. was followed by
the usual egress of black and white
figures impatient for cigarettes and
light lobby gossip.
Divine. eh: The opera, l mean" A
voice accosted John Steele. and, turn
ing, he beheld a familiar face with
black whiskers, that of Captain For
sythe This is somewhat different
from the mornings environments"
Yes said the other. But your first
question" with a smile. I'm afraid
can't answer. I've just come. and If
| hadnt-weli, I'm no judge of music"
A bell sounded John Steele. excus-
ing himself, entered the auditorium
and was shown to his seat.
The curtain went up at last. the mu-
sic began. and melodies that seemed
born in the springtime succeeded one
another Perennial in freshness, theme
followed theme; what joy, what glad
ness. what merriment, what madness.
How long was the act; how short?
1t came to sudden end. After APP
plause and bravos men again got up
and walked out. He, too, left his seat
and strolled toward the back
MIR. Steele. One moment" He
found himself once more addressed by
the good humored Captain Forsythe
Behold in me Il Mercury, committed
to an imperative mission. You are
commanded to appear not in the royal
box, but in Sir Charles"
Sir Charles Wray's?" John Steele
regarded the speaker quickly.
Yes" laughed the other You see.
! happened to. mention | had seen
you why didn't you bring him with
you to the box" queried Sir Charles.
He, by the by, went in for law him
self before he became governor.
Only had time to shake hands this
morning, Yes; why didn't your
spoke up Miss Jocelyn. You COM
mand me to bring himY / inquired.
by all MEANS she laughed, L com
mand.' So here l am"
John Steele did not answer, but
Captain Forsythe without waiting for
reply turned and started up the
broad stairway. The other, after a
moments hesitation, followed, duly
entered one of the larger boxes, spoke
to Sir Charles and his wife and re-
turned the bow Of their niece. Amid
varied piatitudes Steele's glance turn
ed oftenest to the girl She was
dressed In white; snowy boa drOOp-
ed from the slender bare shoulders as
If 1t might any moment slip off;
string of pearls, each one with a pearl
of pure light In the center, clasped
her throat.
She waved her hand to the seat next
to her and as he sat down, Isn't 1t
splendidr irrelevantly.
THE spectacle or the OperaT he
asked slowly, looking into blue eyes.
1T was the opera l meant | sup
pose the spectacle is very grand; but"
enthusiastically. lit was the music
was thinking of. How 1t grips one!
Tell me what you think Of The Bar
ber' Mr.. Steele"
Pm afraid my views wouldn't be
very interesting" he answered. Il
know nothing whatever about music"
"NothingF" Her eyes widened lit
tie. In her accent was mild wonder
He looked down at the shlmmering
white folds near his feet "In earlier
days my environment was not exactly
a musical one"
mo? l suppose you were engaged
in more practical concernsY