Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1917-12-27

S0phy, struck by something in his
voice. swung around and looked at
him. Then she thrust both her arms
through his. clasped her two hands
together. and led him firmly away. A
glimmering Of the truth a begin
ming to dawn upon her.
Tell me where you have been since
you left the reception" she insisted.
when at last they were seated to-
gether.
Wait till I have ordered some
wine," he said.
A waiter served them with cham.
paNe. When Johns glass was filed.
he drained Its contents. Sophy
watched him with surprise. She am
u little closer to him.
John" she whispered. ''you must
tell me-do you hear? You must tell
me everything! Did you take Louise
home" ',
"Yes."
"What happened, them You didn't
quarrel with herr"
Nothing at all happened" he as
sured her. 1--WE parted the best Of
friends. 1t wasn't that"
Then what? Remember that l am
your friend, John, dear. Tell me ev-
erything."
Il will tell you" he assented. II
went to n little club I belong to on
the Adelphi Terrace. l sat down in
the smoking room. There was no one
there l knew. Some men were talk
Ing. They had been to the reception
tonight. They were comparing French
actresses and English, They spoke
first Of the French woman, Latrobe,
and her lovers; then of Louise. They
spoke quite calmly, like men discuss
Ing history. They compared the two
actresses, they compared their lives.
Latrobe. they said, had lovers by the
score-Louise only one"
Sophy's hand stole into his. She
was watching the twisting Of his fea-
lures. She understood so well the ex-
element underneath.
Il think I can guess" she whis-
pered, Don't hurt yourself telling
me. Something was said about the
prince"
His eyes blazed down upon her.
"You, too?' he muttered. "Does
the whole world know of 1t and speak
as If it did not matter? Sophy, is it
true? Speak out! Don't be afraid Of
hurting me. You call yourself my
friend. I've been down, looking at
the outside of her house. l dared not
go in. There's Il fire burning in my
soul! Tell me If it Is true!"
"You must not ask me that ques-
ton, John" she begged. "How should
I know? Besides, these things are SO
different In our world, the world you
haven't found out much about yet.
Surprising 1t were true, john" she
went on, remember that 1t was be-
fore you knew her. Surprising 1t
should be true, remember this-your
idea Of life Is too absurd. Is one creed
made to fit human beings who may
differ In a million different ways? A
woman may be as good as any ever
born into the world, and yet take just
Il little love into her life, IL she be
true and faithful in doing it. l don't
believe there Is a dearer or sweeter
woman breathing than Louise, but one
must have love. Don't I know 1t?
A non may be strong enough to live
without 1t, but a woman-neverw
The skirts of the women brushed
their table us they danced, the rhythm
Of the music rose and fell above the
murmur of laughter and conversation.
John looked around the room, and d
sort Of despair crept in upon him. It
was no good! He had come to Lon
don to understand; he understood
nothing. He was made Of the wrong
fiber. II only he could change him
self! II 1t were not too late! If
he could make himself like other men!
Il must not ask You any mor ques-
tons, Sophy," he said. "You are her
friend, and you have spoken very
sweetly. Tomorrow ! will 60 and see
her"
"And tonight. forget It ALL" she
pleaded. "Wipe 1t out Of your mem.
DRY. Tonight she Is not here, and I
am. Even IL Won are furiously In love