The evening world., 1914-04-09

him. as suited her fancy. He was
caught. Women, all women, possessed
at least one attribute OF the cat. II
was digging In the claw, hanging by
1t, and boredly looking about the
world to sec what was going on. At
that moment tho colonel recognised
the sting Of the claw.
Elsa turned to her right and en-.
gagged the French Consul dtscursively:
tho vandalism In the gardens At YER
sailles, the glut OF vehicles In the Bois
at Paris, the disappearing of tho old
the old Hotel de Sevigne.
now the most interesting musee In
France. Indeed, Elsa gradually be-
came the centre OF interest; she drew
them Intentionally. She brought .
touch of homo to the Frenchman. to
the German. 70 the Italian, to the
Spaniard; and tho British ofllcial, In
whose hands the OWL business Of the
Straits Settlements rested. was
various week-ends at the homo Of his
sister In Surrey.
And when she admitted that she
was the daughter Of Gen. Chetwood.
the man to whom the Indian gov
eminent had cause TO be grateful,
upon more than one occasion. for
the solidity Of his structures, the
colonel realized definitely the seri-
BUSINESS Of his crucifixion. He sat
sitter and sitter In his chair. and
the veins In his nose grew deeper
and deeper In hue. He saw clearly
that no would never understand
American women. He had COM
mitted an outrageous blunder.
lie, instead OF dominating. had been
dominated by three faultfnding old
women: and. without being aware Of
the fact. had looked at things from
their point Of view. A most incon-
ceivable blunder. He would not allow
that he was being swayed less by
the admission OF his objectionable
rudeness on board than by the imme-
diate knowledge that Elsa was
known to the British officials sister.
a titled lady who stood exceedingly
high at court.
Miss Chetwood." he said. lowering
his voice for her ears only.
Elsa turned. but with the express
sion that signified that her atten-
ton was engaged elsewhere.
"Yes?"
IL am an old man. I am sixty
two: and most OF these sixty-two I
have lived roughly: but am not too
old to realize that have made fool
of myself"
Interest began to MI Elsa's eyes.
ut has been said" he went on.
keeping the key. "that I am q man of
courage. but hnd that I need
good deal of that Just now. have
been rude to you. and without war
rant. and l offer you my humble
apologies" He fumbled with his
cravat as II It had suddenly tight
ened. Twill you accept?"
Instantly" Elsa understood the
quality Of courage that had stirred
the colonel.
Thanks"
But ruthlessly: ~ should, however,
like your point OF view In regard to
what you consider my conduct"
as II necessary"
II believe II would be better for my
fession." She did not mean to DO 70.
lentless. but her curiosity was too
strong not (, press her advantage.
"Well, then, over here as elsewhere
In tho world there arc standards by
which we judge persons who come
under our notice"
Agreed. Individuality IL not gem
orally understandable"
by tho mediocre. you might have
added. That's tho difiiculty with in
dividuality: It refuses to be harneased
by mediocrity. and mediocrity holds
the whip-hand. always. I represent
"oh. never!" said Elsa animatsdly.
'Mediocrity IL always without cour-
age"
you are wrong. It has the courage
OF its convictions"
Rather II 1t not stubbornness, will
full refusal to recognize things a. they
are?"
lie countered the question with an
other. "Suposing We were all indi-
viduals. In the sense you mean? Sup
posing each OF us did exactly as he
pleased? Can you honestly imagine
more confusing place than this
world would be? The Manchurian
pony Is n wild little beast, an indi-
vidual II ever there vas one: but
man tames him end puts TO use his
energies. And 30 1t Is with human
individuality. We of the mediocre
tame 1t and harness II and mako 1t
useful to the general welfare OF hui
manity. And when we encounter the
ourselves. we must turn It back into
the wilderness, an outlaw. Indeed. l
might call individuality an element.
like fire and water and air"
But who conquer fire and water
and air?" Elsa demanded. believing
she had him pocketed.
"Mediocrity. through the Individual
OF this or that being. Humanity In
the bulk is mediocre. And odd as It
seems, individuality (Which Is an
other word for genius) believes 1t
leads mediocrity. But 1t cannot be
made to understand that mediocrity
ordains the leadership"
Then you contend that In the
hands OF the stupid lies the balance OF
power?"
Let us not say stupid. rather the
unimaginative, the practical and the
plodding. The stubbornest person in
the world Is one with an idea"
"Do you honestly insist that you
are mediocre?"
NO." thoughtfully. ~ am one Of
those stubborn men with ideas.
merely insist that l prefer to accept
the tenets OF mediocrity for my own
reace and the peace OF others"
Elsa forgot those about her, forgot
her intended humiliation OF tho man
at her side. lie denied that he was
an individual. but he was ono, as in
teresting ono as she had met in a
very long time She. too. had made a
blunder. Quick to form opinions.
swift to judge. she stood guilty with
l... l..N IL.