Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1917-11-15

vttAtAUU VI tSseat 6oS~ ." -
scious. too, Of the queer. indennaols
fascination Of her near presence In the
dimly lighted room.
"what you will learn" she proceed
ed. depends very much upon your do
sres. II Jon seek for the best, and
are content with nothing else. you win
nnd It. But % few men are content
to waltz"
II intend to-" John said simply.
Look at me. please" she ordered.
Once more he was compelled to look
into her deep-blue eyes. The incom.
~prehensibls smile RAJ still upon her
lips.
You have lovedf"
NO." he answered, taken q little
aback BY the a~bruptness Of the Ques-
tion.
"You grow more wonderful! You
are free from any d~istracting thoughts
about w6men3 You have no entangle-
ments"
II have nothing Of the Sort" John
declared, almost irritably. "There IL
one person who has made q wonder
full change In my life. I believe I could
say that l am absolutely certain Of my
feelings for her. but 10 far she has not
given me much encouragement. Tell
me, madame, why do you ask me these
questions?"
Because 1t interests me-" she re-
piled. "Why do you not Insist that
this lady should tell you the truth7'
Il have come to London to insist"
he told her, but l have been here only
~forty-eight hours. I nm waiting"
$50 many people spend their lives
doing that" she went On presently. ut
does not appeal to me. The moment |
make up my mind that I want a thing,
take 1t. The moment l make up my
mind to give, I give"
John was suddenly conscious Of the
%cl0seness Of the atmosphere. The fin
gers Of his hands were clenched tight
ly together. He swore to himself that
he would not look into this woman's
face. He listened to the band which
was playing In the balcony Of the great
hall, to the murmur Of the voices, the
shouts Of laughter. He told himself
that Nine. Calavera was amusing her.
self with him.
~The princes party" abe continued,
after u long pause, seems to be a
great success, to Judge by the noise
they are making. So many people
shout and laugh when they are happy.
I myself find a o perfect express
sion Of happiness In silence"
She was leaning a little back In her
place. One arm was resting upon q
pile Of cushions, the other hung loose
ly over the side Of the divan. John
felt a sudden desire to rise to his feet,
and a simultaneous consciousness that
his feet seemed to be made Of lead.
"You may hold my fingers" she said
"and please keep your face turned
toward me. Why are you nervous7
am not very formidable"
He took her fingers, very much az
the prince had done upon her arrival,
and pressed them formally to his lips.
Then he released them and rose.
"You know" he confessed, II am
very stupid ut this sort Of thing. Shall
we 60 back to the reception rooms7
shall be the most unpopular man here
If I keep you any longer"
The smile deepened slightly. Little
lines appeared at the sides Of her
eyes. So far from being annoyed, he
could see that she was laughing.
"Joseph." she Knocked. II am moi
tempting you, really! Do sit down.
have met men in many countries, but
none like you. Don't you realize that
!, your love for n woman should make
you kind to ALI"
mo, I DON'T" he answered bluntly.
She patted his hand gently.
"Come," she said. do not be afraid
Of me. l will not make love to YOU
seriously. You must be kind to me be.
: cause everybody spells me. After sup.
per there are one or two more Ques.
tons I must ask you. Do you know
that I am going to dance here1 Never
before have I danced In a private house
in England. Except upon the stage, !
like to dance only to those whom ]
love!"
The little space between the cur.
tains vas suddenly darkened. John
turned eagerly around, and, to his I'm.
mense relief, recognized the prince
Their host came forward to where they
were sitting, and held out, his urn ia
Calavera.
"Dear lady" he announced, "suppe,
Is served. VIII you do me this grea,
honor7"
She rose to her feet. The primo.
turned to John.
"Thls Is my privilege as host" he
explained; "but IL you will follow m
you will find some consolation In store
for you"
"wellr the prince asked, az h,
handed Aida Calavera to her place q,
his right hand.
II think not" she replied.
He raised his eyebrows slightly. Fol
q moment he glanced down the supper
table with the care Of q ~puncuIloui
host. to see that his guests were prop
erly, seated. He addressed q few
trlvialities to the musical.comedy stal
. who was sitting on his left. Then b,
leaned once more toward the uea,
dancer.
!. lyon surprise me-" hs said. y