Lincoln County times. (Jerome, Idaho) 1911-1919, 1917-12-27
nave come to a cul de sac.~

ask II you cared to come and see q
collection Of pictures. There's an Ital-
lana futurist, Of course-just I'M
packed his little lot and set them up
over curiosity shop In Clifford street.
he Is sending out cards for next week,
but 1 could take you today-that is,
II you would care about 1t. We can
go somewhere for some tea afterward."
Louise made little grimace
"What bad luck r. she exclaimed.
She stopped short. She felt that by
her hesitation she had, In q sense, COM
mltted herself.
II have promised to go and have tea
with the prince at Seyre House." she
said. 1T is an engagement we made
last week."
John set down his empty coffee cup
with clatter. An inexplicable but
dominating fury seemed to have sud-
denly assailed him. He took out a
cigarette and tried to light it. Sophy.
after watching him far a moment in
establishment, slipped out OF the room.
Louise came over to his side.
Are you really SO much disappoint-
edT" she asked. 1T am so sorry! II
| had known that you were coming for
me, would have kept myself free"
ut isn't that exactly" John an
swered. Its something I can't alto
gether explain. II you don't mind.
think will be going. There Is some
thing l must put right"
He left without another word. She
watched him step into his new motor
car and drive away a little recklessly.
considering the crowded state of the
streets. He drew up. a few minutes
later outside the club In Pail Mall,
where, as 1t CHANGED, he had lunched
that day with the prince of Seyre.
He found the prince still sitting in
the smoking room, reading a review,
over the top of which he glanced up
as John approached, and nodded. nom
chalantly.
Back again?' he murmured.
Il came back to have a word with
you. prince"
The prince laid down the review,
keeping his finger in The place.
"Delighted"
mot long ago." John went on, "in
this room, someone-I think 1t was Ma
jor Charters-asked you what you
were doing this afternoon. You replied
that you were engaged. There were
several others present, and they began
to cbafr you. Perhaps 1 Joined in-I
don't remember. 1 think that it was
Major Charters who asked you, to use
his own words, whether your appoint
ment was with lady. You replied in
the affirmative. There was loud vol
ley of chaff. You listened without con-
tradiction 10 many references concern
Ing the lady and the afternoons en-
gagement."
The prince nodded slightly. His face
remained quite expressionless.
LAS matter of fact" John ccncluc
ed, II have discovered by the purest
accident that Miss Maurel is to be your
guest this afternoon at Seyre House.
The prince inclined his head gently.
He remained monosyllabic.
"Well?"
John frowned heavily.
Cant you see," he went on bluntly,
that II any one Of those men who
were present, and heard what was said
about your guest, found out afterward
that 1t was Miss Maurel who came to
see you-well, L need not go on, need
II l am sure you understand. The
things which were limited at could not
possibly apply to her. Would you
mind sending a note to Miss Maurel
and asking her to have tea with you
some other afternoonT
And why the deuce should ! do
thatr' the prince asked, a trifie paler,
but entirely self-possessed.
ITO obllge me-" John replied.
The prince wiped his eyeglass care
FULLY upon his handkerchief.
Mr.. Strangewey. you are a very
amiable young man." he said equally,
TO whom have tried to show some
kindness for Miss Maureps sake. 1
His lips relaxed ever so slightly@so
slightly that they showed only a
glimpse Of his teeth In one straight,
hard line. He looked at John mildly,
and his words seemed destitute of all
offense; yet John felt the lightnings
were playing around them.
II shall write a note to Miss Maui
REL" the prince promised as he made
his way toward the writing table, land
ask her to visit me upon some other
afternoon"
really do not see, however-pardon my
putting 1t plainly-what business this
Is of yours"
ut is my business" John declared,
because have asked Miss Maurel to
be my wife, and because 1 am hoping
that some day, before very long, she
will consent"
The prince sat quite still in his chair,
his eyes fixed upon certain spot in
the carpet. He had not even the ap-
pearance Of being engaged In thought.
He seemed only stepped in a sort Of
passivity. Finally, with a sigh, he rose
to his feet.
my young friend" he decided, "your
statement alters the situation. 1 dio
not credit you with matrimonial inten-
tiOns I must see what can he done ~