The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1917-08-04

| went I'll, EcluclllDcF lutL IT. WAS Dc'
fore you knew her. Surprising II
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
little love into her life, if she be
true and faithful in doing it. don't
believe there is a dearer or swecter
woman breathing than Louise, but one
must have love. Don't know It'll
A man may he strong enough to live
without it, but a Woman-never!" Ia"
The skirts Of, the women brushed
their table as they danced, the rhythm
of the music rose and fell above the
purmur Of laughter and conversation.
John looked around the room, and a
sort Of despair crept il upon him. 1t
was no good! He had come to Lon.
don to understand; he understood
nothing. He was made Of the wrong
fiber. If only he could change him
self! If it were not too late! If
he could make himself like other men!
II must not ask you any more ques,
lions, 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 it out of your men,
DRY. Tonight she is not here, and l
am. Even if you are furiously in love
with her, there isn't any harm in your
being just a little nice to me. Give
me some champagne; and want some
caviar sandwichesw
Il wonder why you are SO good to
me, Sophy!" he exclaimed, us he gave
the order to waiter. "You ought
either to marry your young man down
at Bath, or to have sweetheart of
your own, a companion, some one
quite different"
"How different?"
Someone who cared for you as you
deserve to be cared for, and whom
you Cufeu lOf, 100.
II cannot take these things as light
ly as used to-" she answered little
sadly. "Something has come over me
lately-I don't know what it is-but
l seem to have lost my taste for fir.
tations. John, don't look up, don't
turn round! I have been afraid OF
the prince all the evening. When you
came in, l fancied that you had been
drinking. When the prince asked me
something about you, an hour or so
ago, knew that he had. l saw him
like 1t once before, about year ago.
Don't take any notice of him! Don't
talk to him. If you can at all help 1t y
Toward their table the prince was
slowly making his way, skilfully avoid
ing the dancers, yet looking neither
to the right nor to the left. His eyes
were fastened upon John. If he had
been drinking, as Sophy suggested
there were few signs Of it. His walk
was steady; his bearing, as usual, de-
liberate and distinguished.
He came to standstill beside them
Sophy's fingers clutched at the table
cloth. The prince looked from one to
the other.
"You have robbed me Of a guest,
Mr.. Strangewey," he remarked; "but l
bear you no ill-will. 1t is very seldom
that one sees you in these haunts Of
dissipation"
ut is a gala night with me-" John
replied, his tone raised no more than
usual, but shaking with some new
quality. "Drink q glass Of wine with
me, prince" he invited, taking the
bottle from the ice-pail and filling a
tumbler upon the table. swish me
luck, won't you? 1 am engaged to
be married."
81 wish you happiness with all my
heart" the prince answered, holding
his glass up. MAY l not know the
name of the lady?'
mo. doubt you are prepared for the
| news" John told him. Miss Maurel
has promised to become my wife"
! The princes hand was as steady as