Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1917-10-19
John stood on the hearth,rug, with

\
clothes were exceedingly well cut, hi
tie and collar unexceptlonable his hal
closely cropped according to the fasi
ion Of the moment. He had an e,
tremely civilized air.
"Look here, Gralllot," he said, "T
tell you what I've done, although
don't suppose you would understan
what 1t means to me. I've vlste
practically every theater in London
"Alone?"
sometimes with Miss Maurel, some
times with her little friend, Sophy &c
rard, and sometimes alone" John re
piled. 81 have bought Baedeker
taken taXicab by the day, and don't
all the sights I've spent weeks in th'
National gallery, picture gazing, ant
I've done all those more modern shows
up round Bond street. have bought
racing car and learned 10 drive It.
have been to dinner parties that have
bored me stiff. have been introduced
to crowds of people whom never wish
to see again, and made one or two
friends" he added, smiling at his guest
"for whom l hope am properly CRATE
full
1.-THE prince has been showing you
round bit, hasn't he?' Graill0t grunt-
ed.
"The prince has been extraordinarily
kind to me- John admitted slowly,
"for what reason | don't know. lie
has introduced me to "A great many
pleasant and interesting people, and II
great many whom | suppose n young
man In ray position should be glad 10
know. He has shown me one side OF
London life pretty thoroughly"
"And what about II all?" Graillo'
demanded. You find yourself some
thing more of citizen of the world,
ehT"
mot Bit" John answered simply
"The more | see of the life up here.
the smaller II seems to me. mean, OF
course, the ordinary life of pleasure
the life to be lived by II young man
like myself, who hasn't any profession
or work upon which he can concen-
trate his thoughts"
"Then why do you stay?"
John made no immediate reply. In
stead, he walked to the window of his
sitting room and stood looking across
the Thames with a discontinued frown
upon his face. Between him and the
Frenchman curious friendship had
sprung up during the last few months.
81 gather" Graillot continued, that,
to put ii concisely and truthfully, you
are the most bored man in London.
There Is something behind all this eff
fort of yours, my friend, to fit your
self. the round human being into the
square place. Speak the truth now
Treat me as father confeSsor."
John swung round upon his heel. In
the clear light ii was obvious that he
was little thinner in the face and
hat some of the tan had gone from his
81 am staying up here, and going on,
With It," he announced doggedly, "be-
'ause of woman"
Graillot stopped eating, placed the
emalns Of his cake in the saucer Of his |
eacup. and laid II down. Then he
opened his lips TO speak and abruptly
losed them. His face suddenly under
vent an extraordinary change, A few
cc0nds ago his attitude had been that /
Il professor examining some favorite /
'bject Of study; now more personal [
tote had humanized hi expression. (
Whatever thought or reflection II was +
hat had come into his mind. II hgd |
,lainly startled him.
"Who is the woman?' he asked
'reathlessly.
"There Is no secret about II, so far
Is | am concerned John answered.
1T is Louise Maurel. | thought you
must have guessed"
The two men looked at each other
n silence for some moments. Out on
he river little tug was hooting Wig.