The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1917-10-26

uTeW IL nlEneT UP.
"Well, when | left your house the
first time this afternoon, went
straight back to the prince. pointed
out to him that after what had been
said, as II might become known that
you were his guest Of today, 1t would
be better for him to postpone your
visit. He agreed to do sO."
"Was that all that passed between
your"
"Not quite" John replied. "He
asked me what concern 1t was Of mine,
and l told him I hoped that some day
you would be my Wife"
She sat quite still, looking down
upon the ilarlng lights. She was filled
with restless desire TO escape, to
start the motor herself, and rush
through 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-
ditlOns / 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 It's shaded lights It's perfume of
flowers, and its atmosphere of perfec-
ton. You sit enthrOned there like the
queen of world | know nothing of,
and all the time letters and flowers
and tlattering invitations are shOwered
upon you from the greatest men in
London. The atmosphere there stiles
me- Louise. Out here you are woman
and l man, and those other things
fall away. l have tried my best to
come a little way into sympathy with
your life. | want you now to make up
your mind to come down a little way
into mine!"
She felt the sudden swapping of ev-
cry nerve in her body, the passing
away of all sense of will or resistance.
She was conscious only of the little
movement toward him, the involuntary
yielding of herself. She lay back in
his arms, and the kisses which closed
her eyes and lips seemed to be work
ing some strange miracle.
She was in some great empty space,
breathing wonderful things. She was
on the hilltOps, and from the heights
she looked down at herself as she had
been-a poor little white-faced puppet,
about an Overheated stage, in
Il fetid atmosphere of adulatiOn, with
a brain artificially stimulated, and a
heart growing cold with selfishness.
She pitied herself as she had been.
Then sh' opened her eyes with a start
Of joy.
"How wonderful it all is !" she muir
INJURED. You brought me here to tell
me this?"
"And to hear something!" he insist
ed.
81 have tried not to, John" she con-
fessed, amazed at the tremble of her
sweet, low voice. Her words seemed
like the confession of a weeping child.
II cannot help it. l do love you!
have tried not to so hard, but now
now 1 shall not try any more !"
They drove quietly down the long
lill and through the dripping streets. |
Not another word passed between |
hem till they drew up outside her |
iOOr. She felt a new timidity as he |
landed her out, an immense gratitude
or his firm tone and intuitive tact.
''NO, won't come in, thanks" he de-
Jared. "YOu have so little time to
est and get ready for the theater."
you will be there tOnight?" she
Lsked.
He laughed as if there were humor
n the suggestion of his absence.
"Of course I"
He slipped in his clutch and drove
If through the rain-gleaming streets
With the smile and air of a cOnqueror
Iouise passed into her little house to
ind visitor waiting for her there.
Eugene, prince of Seyre, had spent
he early part of that afternoon in a
lanner wholly strange to him. In pur-
uance of an order given to his major
ONO Immediately on his return from
is club after lunch, the great recep-
On rooms of Seyre House, the picture
allery and the ballroom were pre-
ared as if for reception. Dust-sheets
'ere swept aside, masterpieces of
ainting and sculpture were uncovered,
ne soft brilliance of concealed electric
ghts lit up many dark corners,
He was fOrty-One years old that
ay, and the few words which John
ad spoken to him barely an hour ago
ad made him realize that there was
My one thing in life that he desired.
he sight of his treasures merely
)Othed his vanity. 1t left empty and
his fuller and deeper de-
Is time had come. Others of his race
nd paid a great price for the things
ley had coveted in life. He, too, must
'llOw their example.
He was in Louises drawing-room
hen she returned-Louise, with hair
I'd cheeks a little damp, but with a
light in her eyes and with
otsteps that seemed to fall upon air.
Some tea and a bath this mo-
ent, Aline !" she called out, as she
Il.-I>A |
'out dinner, am so late. l will 4.
I've some toast. Be quick -
Madame" Aline began.
Don't bother me about anything h
W." Louise interrupted. 'I will h