Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1917-12-20

Her fingers played nervOusly for O
moment with the edge Of the rug. She
drew II higher up.
swell. when I left your house the
first time this afternoon, I went
straight back to the prince. I pointed
out to him that after what had been
said. as 1t might become known that
you were his guest of today. 1t would
be better for him to postpone your
visit. He agreed to do So"
"Was that oil that passed between
your
mot quite" John replied. "He
asked me what concern It was Of mine.
and I told him I hoped that some day
you would be my wife,"
She sat quite still, looking down
upon the flaring lights. She was filled
with o restless desire to escape. to
start the motor herself. and rush
through the wet air into London and
safety. And side by side with that
desire she knew that there was moth
ing In the world she wanted so much
as to stay just where she was, and to
hear just the words she was going to
hear.
$50 much for that" John proceeded.
"And now please listen. I have brought
you out here because under these con.
dItions l feel more master Of myself
and my thoughts, and of things I want
to say to you. Something takes me by
the throat in your little drawing-room.
with its shaded lights, Its perfume of
flowers, and its atmosphere Of perfec-
ton. You sit enthroned there like the
queen Of q world I know nothing Of,
and all the time letters and flowers
and fattering Invitations are showered
upon you from the greatest men in
London. The atmosphere there stiles
me. Louise. Out here you are a woman
and l a man, and those other things
fall away. I have tried my best to
come n little way into sympathy with
your life. I want you nov to make up
your mind to come down a little way
into mine!"
She felt the sudden swapping Of ev-
cry nerve in her body, the passing
away Of all sense Of will or resistance.
She was conscious only Of the little
movement toward him, the involuntary
yielding of herself. She lay back in
his arms, and the kisses which closed
her eyes and lips seemed to be work.
ing some strange miracle.
She was In some great empty space,
breathing wonderful things. She was
on the hilltops, and from the heights
she looked down at herself as she had
been--a poor little whitc-faced puppet,
strutting about an overheated stage, In
a fetid atmosphere Of adulation, with
n brain artificially stimulated, and u
heart growing cold with %selflshness.
She pltied herself as she had been.
Then sh, opened her eyes with q start
Of Joy.
"How wonderful 1t all isl" she muir.
INJURED. You brought me here to tell
me thtsT
"And to hear something! !" he insist
ed.
II have tried not to. john" she con.
fessed. amazed at the trenble Of her
sweet, low voice. Her words seemed
like the confession Of a weeping child.
Il cannot help It. / do love you! I
have tried not to 80 hard, but now
now l shall not try any more"
They drove quietly down the long
hill and through the dripping streets.
Not another word passed between
them till they drew up outside her
door. She felt a new tImidity rs he
handed her out. an immense gratitude
for his firm tone and intuitive tact.
mo, I won't come In, thanks" he de-
clared. "You have so little time to
rest and get ready for the theater."
"You will be there tonight?" she
asked.
He laughed MS II there were humor
In the suggestion Of his absence.
"Of coursew
He slipped in his clutch and drove
of through the rnin.gleaming streets
with the smile and air Of a conqucror.
Louise passed into her little house to
find a visitor waiting for her there.
Eugene, prince Of Seyre. had spent
the early part Of that afternoon in a
manner wholly strange to him. In pur-
suance Of an order given to his major.
dOmo Immediately on his return from
his club after lunch, the great recep.
tion rooms Of Seyre House. the picture