The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1917-09-13
CHAPTER xIx-contInued.

stage and a sprinkling of society peO-
pie were present, was n complete sue
cess. Louise made q charming host
esS, and Sir Edward more than ever
justified his reputation for saying the
right thing to the right person at the
right moment The rooms were crowd
ed with thrOngs of distinguished peO-
pie, who all seemed to have plenty to
say to one another.
The only person, perhaps, who
found himself curiOusly Ill at ease was
John. He heard nothing but French
on all sides of him--a language which
he read with some facility, but which
ne spoke like schoOlbOy. He had
been wandering about for more than
an hour before Louise discovered him.
She at once left her place and crossed
the room to where he was standing by
the wall.
Cheer upI" she begged, with de-
lghtful smile. 81 am afraid that you
are being bored to death. VIII you
not come and be presented to our
guestsT"
"I'or goodness sake, not" John i'm
plored. "I have never seen one OF
them act, and my French is appalling
am all right, dear. It's quite enough
pleasure to see you looking so beauti-
full. and to think that am going to be
allowed to drive you home lfterward'
Louise looked into neighbortng
,,Irror nd rouoI itipDllV uf her
own reflected image. She had curl
Gus feeling that at that precise mo-
mpnt she had reached the zenith or
her power and her charm. Her audi
cnce at the theater had been wonder
fully sympathetic, had responded with
rare appreciation to every turn of her
voice, to every movement and gesture
The compliments, too, which she mad
been receiving from the crowds who
had bent over her fingers that night
had been no idle words.
She was conscious, acutely con-
SCious. of the atmosphere she had Gre
ated around her. She was glorying
in the subtle outward signs OF 1t. she
was In love with herself; in love, too,
with this delightful new feeling OF
loving. 1t would have given her more
Joy than anything else in the world
In that moment Of her triumph, to
have passed her arm through Johns,
to have led him up to them all, and to
have said:
After all, you see, am very sim
pie sort of woman. I have done just
the sort of simple thing that other
women do, and l am glad Of it-very
glnd and very happy
Her lipS moved to the music of her
thoughts. John leaned toward her.
Did you say anything" he asked
"YOu dear stupid of course | did
not! Or if I did, it was just one of
those little whispers to oneself which
mean nothing yet which count for SO
much. Can l not do anything to make
you enjoy yourself more? | shall have
10 go back to my guests now. We
are expecting royal parsonage, and
those two dears who keep so close to
my side do not speak word of Eng
lSh.'
please go back dear" John begged
promptly. ut was nice of you to come
AT all. And here's Sophy at last, thank
goodness! Now l am all right"
she laid her fingers upon his arm.
You must take me back to my
place" she said. "Then you can &C
and talk nonsense to Sophy.
They were back in the crowd now
and she dismissed him with little
nod. He made his way quickly to the
spot where he had seen Sophy. TC
his disappointment, she had disap,
peared. Graillot, however came vi
and seized him by the arm.
"Still playing the moth, my young
frend?' he exclaimed. Aren't the
wings sufficiently burned YETI"
II am afraid it's become a perma
nent role" John replied, as the two
men shook hands. "Where have yol
been all these weeks and why haven
you been to see me?
Paris. my dear young triend--Pari'
and life! Now l am back again
am not sure that know why. l came
over with these French people, tC
see them start their theater. Forgive
me, have not paid my respects to Ou
hostess. We shall meet again pres
emily"
He strolled off, and q few minute
later John found SOphy.
How late you are!" he grumbled
Il couldn't help it," she answered
This is the only evening dress l pos
before it was decent to come out in
Why are you wandering about alone
Hasn't Louise been kind to your"
She has been charming" John de
clared promptly, "but she Is surround
ed with all sorts Of people l don
know. can't help her. For on
thing, my French is absurd. The
rhey are all talking about things whic
don't understand in the least"
Sophy remained silent for NJ,
ment. Then she took Johns arm an
led him to the buffet.
"Give me an ice and cigarett
will you, please? You are dear, in
practical person, but you are as muc
out of this world as human belu
well could be"
John waited upon her without an
further remark. The prince of Seyr
passing through, bowed to them. Joh
looked after his retreating figure. A
irresistible impulse seized him.
"Sophy," he asked, sitting down /
her side, tell me, why have the prin,
and Louise always been such gre
friends?"