St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1910-05-25
Half a Chance
(continued from last week.


handsome array of books that reached
from floor to ceiling wherever there
was shelf space. Passing through this
apartment. John Steele stepped into
that adjoining, the sitting and dining
room.
A discreet rapping at the door. fol-
lowed by the appearance of round
faced little man with a tray, interrupt
ed further contemplation or reverie on
John Steele's part Seating himself
at the table, he responded negatively
to the servants inquiry if ''anythink"
else would be required and when the
man had withdrawn mechanically
turned to his letters and to his simple
evening repaSt. He ate with no great
evidence Of appetite, soon brushed the
missives. half read, aside and pushed
back his chair.
Lighting a pipe, he picked up one of
the papers. Amid voluminous wastes
of type an item in the court and 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
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 perusing all
the other paragraphs, the comings and
goings, the fine doings! They related
to world he had thought little about,
a 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, a 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 fdleness by industry. but the
spirit of work failed to respond. He
looked at his watch, rang sharply a
bell.
"Put out my Clothes" he said to the
servant who appeared with a lamp.
"and have cab at 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, Ell? The opera, I meanr' 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 environment"
eyes, said the other But your first
question: with a smile. "I'm afraid l
can't answer. I've just come, and if |
hadn't-well. 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?
It came to sudden end. After ap-
plause and braves men again got up
and walked out. He, too, left his seat
and strolled toward the back.
''Mr. Steele! One momentw He
found himself once more addressed by
the good humored Captain Forsythe.
Behold in me a Mercury, committed
to an imperative mission. You are
commanded to appear not in the royal
box, but in Sir Charles"
"Sfr Charles Wray's?" John Steele
regarded the speaker quickly.
YES" laughed the other. ''You see,
I 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 I inquired.
BY all MEANS she laughed, I COM
mand.' So here 1 ann
John Steele did not answer, but
Captain Forsythe without waiting for
a 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 platitudes Steele's glance turn
ed oftenest to the girl. She was
dressed in white; a snowy boa droop-
ed from the slender bare shoulders as