The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1917-09-06

moment with the edge of the rug. She
drew 1t higher up.
"Well, when l left your house the
first time this afternoon, | went
! straight back to the prince. l pointed
out to him that after what had been
said, as 1t might become known that
you were his guest of today, it would
be better for him to postpone your
visit. He agreed to do So"
"Was that all that passed between
your"
Not quite" John replied. "He
asked me what concern it was of mine,
and told him hoped that some day
you would be my wife"
She sat quite still, looking down
upon the flaring lights. She was filled
with 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. l have brought
you out here because under these con-
ditions l feel more master of myself
and my thoughts and Of things want
to say to you. Something takes me by
the throat In your little drawingrOom,
with its shaded lights, its perfume of
flowers, and its atmosphere of perfec-
ton. You sit enthrOned there like the
queen of world l know nothing of,
and all the time letters and flowers
and flattering invitations are shOwered
upon you from the greatest men in
London. The atmosphere there stiles
me, Louise. Out here you are woman
and | man, and those other things
fall away. l have tried my best to
come little way into sympathy with
your life. l want you now 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 white-faced puppet,
struttlng about an Overheated stage, in
a fetld atmosphere of adulatiOn, with
Il brain artificially stimulated, and Il
heart growing cold with SelfishneSS.
She pltied herself as she had been.
Then sh opened her eyes with start
of joy.
How wonderful it all is!" she muir
INJURED. you brought me here to tell
me this"
"And to hear somethingw he insist
ed.
81 have tried not to, john" she con-
fessed, amazed at the tremble of her
sweet, low voice. Her words seemed
like the confession of weeping child
Il cannot help it, l do love you!
have tried not to so hard, but now
now 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 new timidity as he
handed her out, an immense gratitude
for his firm tone and intuitive tact
mo, 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 as if there were humOr
in the suggestion of his absence.
"Of course"
He slipped in his clutch and drove
off through the rain-gIeaming streets
with the smile and air of cOnQuerOr
Louise passed into her little house to
find n visitor waiting for her there.
|
Eugene, prince of Seyre, had spent
the early part of that afternoon in
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
gallery and the ballroom were pre-
pared as if for a reception. Dust-sheets
were swept aside, masterpieces of
painting and sculpture were uncovered,
the soft brilliance of concealed electric
lights lit up many dark corners.
He was fOrty-One years old that
day, and the few words which John
had spoken to him barely ain hour ago
had made him realize that there was
only one thing in life that he desired.
The sight of his treasures merely
SoOthed his vanity. 1t left empty and
unsatisfied his fuller and deeper de-
sire of living He told himself that
his time had come. Others of his race
had paid a great price for the things
they had coveted in life. He, too. must
follow their example.
He was in Louise's drawing-rOom
when she returned-LOuise, with hair
and cheeks little damp, but with. a
wonderful light in her eyes and with
footsteps that seemed to fall upon air.
'SOme tea and bath this mo-
ment, Alinew she called out, as she
ran lightly up the stairs. "Never mind
about dinner, l am so late will
have some toast. Be quick" !"