The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1917-08-09

foot, in the lofty dining room of one
of the most exclusive clubs. in London.
The prince proved an agreeable if
somewhat reticent companion. He in
trOduced John to many well-known
people, always with that little note of
personal interest in his few words of
presentation which gave certain sig,
nitlcance to the ceremony.
From the club where the question of
Johns proposed membership, the
prince acting as his sponsor, was ia.
vorably discussed with several mem,
bers of the committee, they drove to
COvent Garden, and for the first time
in his life John entered the famous
opera house. The prince, preceded by
an attendant, led the way to a box
upon the second tier. A woman turned
her head as they entered and stretched
out her hand, which the prince raised
to his lips.
you see, have taken you at your
word, Eugene" she remarked.
"You give me double pleasure, dear
lady" the prince declared. "Not only
is it JOY to be your host, but you give
me also the opportunity of presenting
to you my friend, John Strangewey
Strangewey, this is my very distant
relative and very dear friend, Lady
Hilda Muloch."
Lady Hilda smiled graciously al
John. She was apparently of a little
less than middle age, with dark bands
Of chestnut hair surmOunted by tiara
Her face was the face of a clever anC
still beautiful woman; her figure slen
der and dignitied; her voice low anC
delightful.
Are you paying your nightly HON
age to CaIavera, Mr.. Strangewey, OF
| are YOU only an occasional viSitOrT
she asked.
This is my first visit of any sort
to COvent Garden" John told her.
She looked at him with as much sur
prise as good breeding permitted. John
who had not as yet sat down, seemed
almost prCternaturally tall in thai
small box. with its low ceiling. Ht
was looking around the house with the
enthusiasm Of boy. Lady Hildt
glanced away from him toward the
prince, and smiled; then she looked
back at John. There was something
like admiration in he" face.
do you live abrOad?" she asked.
John shook his head.
81 live in Cumberland" he said
MANY people here seem to think tina
that is the same thing. My brOthe
and have farm there"
but you visit London occasionally
surely?"
Il have not been in London" Johl
told her, "Since | passed through it OF
my way home from Oxford, eight year
ago"
81 have never heard anything so eS
traordinary in my life" the woman de
clared frankly. "Is it the prince VIII
has induced you to break out of you
SeCluSiOnW
"Our young friend" the prince eN
planned finds himself suddenly in a
tered circumstances. He has been let
a large fortune, and has come to Spen
it. Incidentally, | hope, he has com
to see something more of your sex tha
is possible among his mountain wild,
He has come, in short to look littl
way into life"
Lady IIilda leaned back in her chail
How rOmantic!"
THE prince amuses himself" Joh
I assured her. II don't suppose | sha
, stay very long in London. l want jus
+ to try it for Il time"
She looked ut him almost wistfull,
She was a woman with brains; won
. an notorious for the freedom of he
f life, for her intellectual gifts, for he
+ almost brutal disregard Of the Convel
tions of her class. The psychologist
interest of John Strangewey's stu;
: tion appealed to her powerfully. B,
o sides, she had a weakness for hant
some men.
|. "At any rate" said Lady Hilda,
:, am glad to think that l shall be alb
$ to watch you when you see CalaveI
n in her dances for your first time
n The curtain rang up upon one of Il
O most gorgeous and seAsuOuS of IL
= Russian ballets. John, who by the
t, joint insistence was occupying Il
It front chair in the box, leaned forwal
e in his place, his eyes steadfastly tiX'
n upon the stage. Both the prince al
Lady Hilda, in the background, {
though they occasionally glanced
the performance, devoted most of the
attention to watching him.
r AS the story progressed and the IN
ID sic grew in passion and voluptuor
If ness, they distinctly saw his almC
s militant protest. They saw the KIN
n- ting of his firm mouth and the Slig
T. contraction of his eyebrows. 7
ID prince and his friend exchGng
a glances. She drew her chair lit
re farther back, and he followed her I
|