Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1917-12-04
ne. Something was said about the

me. Something was said about the
princew
His eyes blazed down upon her.
you, tooF" he muttered. Does
the whole world know of II and speak
as If 1t 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. dared not
go In. There's a fire burning in my
soull Tell me If it is true I"
you must not ask me that oues-
ton, JOHN she begged "How should
/ know2 Besides, these things are so
different In our world, the world you
haven't found out much about yet.
Surprising it were true, john" she
went on, remember that 1t was be-
fore you knew her. Supposing 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 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. 1 don't
believe there Is dearer or sweeter
woman breathing than Louise, but one
must have love. Don't 1 know it?
A man may be strong enough to live
without It, but woman-never !"
The skirts of the women brushed
fo QC don Nh
of the music rose and fell above the
mu%mur of laughter and conversation.
John looked around the room, and
sort of despair crept In 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 1t were not too late! If
he could make himself like other men!
81 must not ask you any more ques-
lions, Sophy," he said. you are her
frienu, and you have spoken very
sweetly. Tomorrow will go and see
her."
"And tonight, forget it ALL" she
pleaded. wipe 1t out of your mem
DRY. Tonight she is not here, and /
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 sandwiches !"
II wonder why you are so good to
me, Sophyr' he exclaimed, as he gave
the order to a waiter. "YOu ought
either to marry your young man down
at Bath, or to have a 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 cared for, too"
81 cannot take these things as light
ly as 1 used to-" she answered a little
sadly. Something has come over me
lately-I don't know what it is-but
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, fancied that you had been
drinking. When the prince asked me
something about you, an hour or so
ago, knew that he had. 1 saw him
like it once before, about year ago.
Don't take any notice of him! Don't
talk to him, If you can at all help it !"
Toward their table the prince was
slowly making his way, skilfully avoid
ing the dancers, yet looking neither
tn oh 70 fHn of 10
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.
Sophys 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
bear you no ill-will. 1t is very seldom
that one sees you In these haunts of
dissipation"
ut Is gala night with me-" John
replied, his tone raised no more than
usual, but shaking with some new
quality. "Drink a glass of wine with
me, prince" he invited, taking the
bottle from the ice-pail and filling
tumbler upon the table. wish me
luck, won't you? I am engaged to
be married !"
II wish you happiness with all. my
heart" the prince answered, holding
his glass up. MAY l not know the
name of the ladyT"
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
rock. He raised his glass to his lips.
81 drink to you both with the great