The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1917-12-08

am not very formidable.
He took her fingers, very much as
the prince had done upon her arfLH"''
and pressed them formally TO MS "l'''
Then he released them and rose.
"you know" he confessed, i am
very stupid at this sort OF thlfs' oa'',
we 70 back to the reception rooms
shall be the most unpopular man mere
if keep you any longer. ~
The smile deepened slightly. Llltie
lines appeared ut the sides OF hei
ewes. So far from being annoyed he
could see that she was laughing.
Joseph" she Knocked, Il am not
tempting you, really! DO sit down. !
have met men In many countries put
none like you. Don't you realize that
YOUR love for one woman should make
you kind to ala"
"NO. | 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 De
cause everybody spells me. After sup
per there are one or two more ques-
tons l must ask you. Do you know
that I am going to dance here? 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 was suddenly daSkened. John
turned eagerly around, and, to his i'm.
mense relief, recognized the prince.
Their host came forward to where they
We're sitting. and held out his arm to
Calavera.
Dear lady" he announced. supper
is served. Will you do me this great
honor?"
She rose to her feet. The prince
turned to John.
This is my privilege as host" he
explained; but II you will follow us,
you Will find some consolation in store
for you"
"Well?" the prince asked, as he
handed Aida Calavera TO her place at
his right hand.
II think not" she replied.
He raised his eyebrows slightly. For
a moment he glanced down the supper
table with the care of punctilious
host, to see that his guests were prop
erly seated. He addressed few
trivalities to the musical-comedy star
who was sitting on his left. Then he
leaned once more toward the great
dancer.
you surprise me-" he said. 81
should have thought that the enter
prise would have commended itself to
you. You do net doubt the facts?'
They are obvious enough" she re.
piled. '"The young man tried to tell
me that he was In love with another
woman, and felt suddenly powerless.
I think must be getting to that age
when one prefers to achieve ones con-
quests with the lifting of finger"
The prince sighed.
II shall never understand your sex"'
he declared. II should 'have supposed
that the slight effort OF resistance
would have provided just the necessary
stimulus"
She turned her beautiful head and
looked at the prince through narrowed
eyes.
after ALL" she asked, "what should
gain? The young man is, in his way.
a splendid work of art. Why should
be vandal enough to destroy it?
shall ask you another question"
The prince slowly slipped the wine
from the glass that he was holding to
his lips. Then he set 1t down DELHI
erately.
"Why notT'
"What is your interest? Is it bet.
Whim, or-enmityT
"You may count it the latter" the
prince replied deliberately.
Calavera laughed softly to herself
"NOw, for the first time" she con-
fessed, II feel interest. This is where
impossible age of all history. The
great noble who seeks to destroy the
poor young man from the country is
pOwerless to wreak harm upon him.
You can neither make him a pauper
nor have him beaten to death. Why
are there princes any longer, l Won
der? You are only as other men,"
1T is an unhappy reflection, but
it is the truth" the prince admitted.
MY ancestors would have disposed Of
this young man as I should trouble
some fly, and it would have cost them
no more than few silver pieces and
a sack Of wine. Today, alas, condi-
tons are different. 1t will cost mo
more"
She trifled for a moment with tho
salad upon her plate, which as yet sho
had scarcely tasted.
II am feeling" she remarked, "mag.
nif1cently oriental-like Cleopatra. Tho
sensation pleases me. We are bar.
gaining, are we not"
eve shall not bargain" the prince
interrupted softly. "It is you who
shall name your price"
She raised her eyes and dropped
them again.
1.-THE prince has spoken" she MUIR
INJURED.
He touched her fingers for a mo.
ment with his, as If to seal their COM