The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1917-11-30

said. 81 have brought you here tha
I may say it in my own way and in my
own atmosphere"
"This is like you" Louise muir
INJURED. "You had to bring me out tt
hilltop, on the dreariest hour of g
wet March afternoon, to tell me-
what?"
/ 'First of ALL" John began, 81 will an
swer a question which you have asked
me three times since we started out
| this afternoon. You wanted to know
| how found out that you were not go.
ing to tea with the prince. Well, here
| is the truth: l asked the prince to
change the day of your visit to him.
Her fine, silky eyebrows came a little
closer together.
"You asked him that?" she repeated.
John nodded.
Sand he consented"
81 will explain" John continued. at
was q most unfortunate circumstance,
but in the club, after lunch, the subject
of spending the afternoon came up.
The prince spoke of an engagement.
He was tied at home, he said, from
four to SIX. Some of the men began
to chaff him, and suggested that he
was entertaining some lady friend, his
latest favorite-well, I dare say you
can imagine the rest" John broke off.
Her fingers played nervously for
moment with the edge of the rug. She
drew it higher up.
"Well, when I left your house the
first time this afternoon, I went
straight back to the prince. I pointed
out to him that after what had been
said, as it might become known that
you were his guest of today, it would
be better for him to postpone your
visit. He agreed to do So"
your"
mot quite" John replied. "He
asked me what concern it was of mine,
and told him hoped that some day
you would be my wife,"
She sat quite still, looking down
upon the faring lights. She was filed
with a restless desire to escape, to
start the motor herself, and rush
the wet air into London and
safety. And side by side with that
desire she knew that there was moth
ing in the world she wanted so much
as to stay just where she was, and to
hear just the words she was going to
hear.
$50 much for that!" John proceeded.
"And now please listen. have brought
you out here because under these con-
ditions I feel more master of myself
and my thoughts, and of things want
to say to you. Something takes me by
the throat in your little drawing-room,
with its shaded lights, its perfume of |
lowers, and its atmosphere of perfec- |
ion. You sit enthroned there like the |
queen of a world I know nothing of,
Ind all the time letters and flowers
Ind f1attering invitations are showered
lpon you from the greatest men in
london. The atmosphere there stiles
ne, Louise. Out here you are q woman
md / a man, and those other things
all away. I have tried my best to
OlllC q ittlC way lAlO Will |
our life. I want you now to make up
our mind to come down q little way
ntO mine!"
She felt the sudden swapping of ev-
ry nerve in her body, the passing
way of all sense of will or resistance.
he was conscious only of the little
Movement toward him, the involuntary
ielding Of herself. She lay back in
is arms, and the kisses which closed '
er eyes and lips seemed to be work !
lg some strange miracle. I
She was In some great empty space,
reathing wonderful things. She was I
n the hilltops, and from the heights t
he looked down at herself as she had
een-a poor little white-faced puppet, /
.rutting about an overheated stage, in
fetid atmosphere of adulation, with
brain artifcially stimulated, and
cart growing cold with selishness.
ne pitied herself as she had been.
hen sh, opened her eyes with start
joy.
''How wonderful it all is !" she muir
ured. "You brought me here to tell
e this?''
"And to hear something" he insist
|.
81 have tried not to, john" she con-
ssed, amazed at the tremble of her
7eet, low voice. Her words seemed |
re the confession of weeping child. /
cannot help 1t. I do love you'll I
We tried not to so hard, but now /
w I shall not try any morel" L
They drove quietly down the long
i and through the dripping streets. /
IT another word passed between /.
EN- till they drew up outside her L
or. She felt a new timidity as he
nded her out, an immense gratitude
: his firm tone and intuitive tact. /
mo, won't come in, thanks" he de-
red. you have so little time to
It and get ready for the theater." 5
You will be there tonight" she
Sed. az
lie laughed as If there were humor
the suggestion of his absence.
OF course" tn
lie slipped in his clutch and drove 1t
through the rain-gleaming streets KIN
h the smile and air of conqueror.
rise pasSpd into her little house to tn