Iron County register., 1917-10-25

hearsal. There isn't a press man In
London I'd have near the place."
Twenty-four hours away from his
silent hills. John looked out with puz.
zled eyes from his dusty seat among
ropes and pulleys and leaning frag-
ments Of scenery. What he saw and
heard seemed to him, for the most
part, meaningless tangle of gestures
and phrases. The men and women in
fashionable clothes, moving about be.
fore that gloomy space Of empty audi
torium, looked more like marionettes
than creatures Of flesh and blood,
drawn this way and that at the bidding
OF the stout, masterful Frenchman,
who was continually mutterlng excla-
nations and banging the manuscript
upon his hand. It seemed like a dream
picture. with unreal men and women
moving about aimlessly, saying strange
words.
Then there came moment which
brought tingle into his blood, which
plunged his senses into hot confusion.
he rose to his feet. 1t was a play
which they were rehearsing, Of course
1t was damnable thing to see Louise
taken into that cold and obviously
unreal embrace, but it was only play.
1t was part Of her work.
John resumed his seat and folded
his arms. With the embrace had fallen
an Imaginary curtain, and the rehear.
sal was over. They were all crowded
together talking, In the center Of the
stage. The prince, who had stepped
across the footllghts, made his way to
where John was sitting.
$50 you have deserted Cumberland
for timer he courteously inquired.
II came up last night" John replied.
London, at this season of the year."
the prince observed, "is scarcely at its
best"
John smiled.
Il am afraid" he said that l am
not critical. 1t Is eight years since l
was here last. l have not been out Of
Cumberland during the whole of that
time"
The prince, after a moments incred.
ulous stare, laughed softly to him.
self.
"You are very wonderful person,
Mr.. Strangewey," he declared. II have
heard Of your good fortune. II I can
be Of any service to you during your
stay in town." he added politely,
"please command me-"
"You are very kind" John replied
gratefully.
Louise broke away from the little
group and came across toward them.
'Free at last!" she exclaimed. snow
let us 60 out and have some tea"
They made their way down the little
passage and out into the sudden blaze
Of the sunlit streets. Louise led John
to a small car which was waiting In
the rear.
"The Carlton" she told the man, as
he arranged the rugs. "And now," She
added, turning to John, 'why have you
come to London? How long DIRE you
going to stay? What are you going to
do? And-most important Of all-in
what spirit have you comeT
John breathed a little sigh Of con.
tentment. II came to see you" he con.
fessed bluntly.
"Dear me-" she exclaimed, lookine
at him with a little smile. "How down,
right you are!"
"The truth" he began.
"Has to be handled very carefully. =
she said, interrupting him. "The truth
Is either beautiful or crude, and the
people who meddle with such a won.
derful thing need great deal Of tact
You have come to see me, you say
Very well, then. will be just az frank
have been hoping that you would
comel
"You can't imagine how good II ID
to hear you shy that" he declared.
Mind" she went on, II have beer
hoping It for more reasons than one
You have come to realize, I hope. that
1t Is your duty to try to see little
more Of life than you possibly can
leading a patriarchal existence amons
your hocks and herds"
4 They were silent for several mo
tnents.
II thought You would come" Louise