Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1917-11-22
CHAPTER XII.

CHAPTER XII.
49,
eeyre House was one Of the few man.
slons In London which boosted a ban
quoting hall NJ welt as a picture gal
lery. Although the long table was aid
for forty guests, It still seemed, with
tn shaded lights and Its p~rofusion OF
flowers, like an oasis Of color In the
middle Of the huge, somberly lighted
apartment. Some Of the faces OF the
guests were well-known to John
through their published photographs;
to others he had been presented BY
the prince upon their arrival. He was
seated between a young American star
Of musical comedy ind a lady who had
only recently dropped from the So
cial Ornament through the medium OF
the divorce court, to. return to the the
ater of her earlier fame. Both showed
every desire to converse with him be-
tween the intervals Of eating and
drinking, but were constantly brought
to . pause by Johns lack Of knowledge
Of current topics. After her third
glass Of champagne, the lady who had
recently been a countess announced
her intention of taking him under her
wing.
Someone must tell you all about
things" she insisted. "What you need
Is a guide and a chaperon. Won't !
dot"
Perfectly" he agreed.
"Fair playw protested the young
lady on his left. whose name was Rosie
Sharon. II spoke to him tirst!"
"Joily bad luck!" Lord Amerton
drawled from the other side Of the
table. "Neither Of you have an earth
~. He's booked. Saw him out with
her the other evening""
II sha'n't eat any more supper"
Rosie Sharon pouted. pushing AWAY
her plate.
"You ought to have told us about
her at once" the lady who had been q
countess declared severely.
John preserved his equnnlmtty.
ut Is to be presumed" he murmured,
shat you ladies IRE both free from
any present attachment"
Got you thereW Amerton chuckled.
"What about BilIyT
Rosie Sharon sighed.
1--WE don't come to the princes sup
per parties to remember our ties" she
declared. Lets all go on talking non
sense, please. Even II my heart Il
broken, l could never resist the princes
pater
Apparently everyone was Of tn
same mind. The hum Of laughter stead
fly grew. Under shelter of the fir
Of conversation, the prince leaned to
ward his companion and rcopened thei
previous discussion.
"Do you know he began, II am In
clined to be somewhat disappointed b,
your lack Of enthusiasm In a ccrtaiI
direction I"
II have disappointed many men Il
my time" she replied. "Do you doub
my power. now that ! have PROMISE
to exercise itT
.Who could7" he replied courteously
"Yet this young man poses, l believe
% something Of a st. Anthony. II
ma give you trouble"
"He 10 then, what you call a prig"
"A most complete and perfect spec
men even In this nation Of prigs"
"All that you tell me-" she sighed
"makes the enterprise seem easier.
a, after all. rather like the lioness an
the mouse. isn't itT
The prince made no reply, but upo
bio lips there fingered a fnintly incret
ulous smile. The woman by his sid
leaned back IN her place. She ha
the air Of accepting the challenge.
.After supper" she said. I'VE wi
sssI"
A single chord Of music In q nlnt
~ faoated across the room, soft +,
drst, swelling Inter into a volume
sound, then dying away and ceasir
aitosether, Every light In the pla,
was suddenly extinguished. There r
soAined only the shaded lamps owe
hanging the pictnres.
Not . whisper was heard In Il
room. John, looking around him
aetouishment, was conscious. only
~ half-suppresscd breathing Of Il
men and women who lined the walls,
were still standing In Mttle groups
s. 49, -~A - ~ lnn~ AnA wotr tho