The Dolores star., 1917-12-07
CHAPTER XII.

~
Seyre House was one of the few man.
sions IN London which boasted ban.
ouetins hall as well rs n picture gal.
lery. Although the long table WIS laid
for forty guests, 1t still seemed, with
its shaded lights and Its profusion of
flowers, Ike an oasis Of color In the
middle Of the hnxs. somberly ligh.ed
apartment. Some Of the faces u the
guests were wesi-knowr b John
through their pullish~; photographs ;
10 others he had Jeen presented by
the prince upon their arrival. He was
seated between young American star
of musical comedy and lady who had
only recently dropped from the So
cial armament through the medium of
the divorce court, to return to the the
atef OF her earlier fame. Both showed
every desire to converse with him be-
tween the intervals Of eating and
drinking, but were constantly brought
to a pause by Johns lick Of knowledge
Of current tor.cs. After her third
glass Of champagne. the lady who had
recently been q countess announced
her intsntion Of taking him under her
wing.
Someone must tell you all about
things" she insisted. "What you need
u . guide and chaperon. Won't
dor"
~Perfectly,. he agreed.
~Fai. playr' protested the young
lady ON his left, whose name was Rosie
Xharon. II spoke to him firstl |"
"JoIly bad luckr Lord Amerton
drawled from the other side Of the
table. "Neither Of you have an earth
II. Hes booked. Saw him out with
her the other evening"
II sha'n't eat any more supper"
Rosie Sharon pouted. pushing away
her Plate.
"Yoa ought to have told NJ about
her ut once" the lady who had been .
counters declared severely.
John preserved his equanimity.
"It q 10 be presumed" he murmured.
that you ladies' are both free from
any present attachment
''Got you therer' Amerton chuckled.
"What about Billyr'
Rosie Sharon sighed.
I'VE don't come to the princes sup
Per parties to remember our Ties" she
declared. Let's all 60 ON talking nom
sense. please. Even II my heart is
broken. I could never resist the princes
patel"
Apparently everyone was Of the
same mind. The hum Of laughter stead
lily grew. Under shelter Of the fire
Of conversation. the prince leaned to-
ward his companion and reopened their
previous discussion.
do you know" he began, II am In
cllned to be somewhat disappointed by
your lack Of enthusiasm In q certain
directionT
II have disappointed many men In
my Time" she replied. 'sDo you doubt
my power. now that have promised
to exercise itf
''Who couldf he replied courteously.
sYet this young man poses. believe,
~ something of a st. Anthony. He
may give you trouble"
He ID then, what you call a prigf"
"A most complete and perfect speci-
men. even In this nation of prigs n
.All that you tell me-" she sighed,
smakes the enterprise seem easier. 1t
"a. after all, rather like the lioness and
the mouse, isn't it7r
The prince made no reply, but upon
bis lips there fingered a family incred-
ulons smile. The woman by his side
leaned buck in her place. She had
the air Of accepting the challenge.
"After supper" she said, eve win
eeel"
A single chord Of music in a minor
key fioated across the room, soft at
lirst. swelling later into volume Of
sound. then dying away and ceasing
altogether. Every light In the place
Was suddenly extinguished. There re-
mained only the shaded lamps over.
hanging the pictures.
Not Q whisper was heard in the
room. John. looking around him In
agtnnishment was conscious only Of
tAe half-suppressed breathing Of the
0en and women who lined the walls, or
Wsee etill standine In little groups at
- nd Il ne long han. Again there
eanse Tie musie. thls time merged In
. Nv but inslsteat elamor Of other In
snunsaas. Ihsa. Suddenly. through