The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1917-11-09
CHAPTER XII.

-
Seyre House was one Of the few man
sions in London which boosted ban
quoting hall as well as a picture gal
lery. Although the long table was lai'
for forty guests, it still seemed, witt
Its shaded lights and it's profusion o
flowers, like an oasis of color in thu
middle of the huge, somberly lighted
apartment. Some of the faces of thu
guests were well-known to JohI
through their published photographs
to others he had been presented by
the prince upon their arrival. He was
seated between young American stal
Of musical comedy and lady who had
only recently dropped from the so
cial armament through the medium OF
the divorce court, to return to the the
alter 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 a pause by Johns lack of knowledge
Of current topics. After her third
glass of champagne, the lady who had
Eekeully DCCh u SOunICoo
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 I
do?"
Perfectly" he agreed.
"Fair playp' protested the young
lady on his left, whose name was Rosie
Sharon. 81 spoke to him first!''
"Jolly 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"
IT 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 a
countess declared severely.
John preserved his equanimity.
SIT is to be presumed" he murmured,
that you ladies are both free from
any present attachment"
SCOT you thereI' Amerton chuckled.
sWhat about Billy?"
Rosie Sharon sighed.
"We don't come to the princes sup
per parties to remember our ties" she
declared. Lets all go on talking nom
sense, please. Even if my heart is |
broken, could never resist the princes |
patel"
Apparently everyone was of the
same mind. The hum of laughter stead
lily grew. Under shelter of the fire
ot conversation, the prince leaned to-
ward his companion and reopened their
previous discussion.
"Do you know" he began, II am in
.lined to be somewhat disappointed by
your lack Of enthusiasm in a certain
direction p
II have disappointed many men in
ny time" she replied. "Do you doubt
ny power, now that 1 have promised
D exercise it?"
"Who could?" he replied courteously.
Yet this young man poses, believe,
5 something of a st. Anthony. He
nay give you trouble"
"He is then, what you call prig"
"a most complete and perfect speci-
len, even in this nation of prigsl"
"All that you tell me-" she sighed,
makes the enterprise seem easier. 1t
!, after all, rather like the lioness and
he mouse, isn't it?"
The Jrince made no reply, but upon
is ljys there fingered family incred-
!ous smile. The woman by his side |
'aned back in her place. She had
lie air of accepting the challenge.
"After supper" she said, 1--WE will
,e 7"
A single chord of music in a minor
ey f1oated across the room, soft at "a
rst, swelling later into a volume Of
,und, then dying away and ceasing
together. Every light in the place c.
as suddenly extinguished. There re- W
aimed only the shaded lamps over tt
angling the pictures. II
Not a whisper was heard In the 81
,om. John, looking around him In fl
was conscious only of
e half-suppressed breathing of the d.
en- and women who lined the walls, or re
ere still standing in little groups at bl
e end Of the long hall. Again there
me the music, this time merged in sa
low but iusistent clamor of other In de
Then. suddenly, through l