The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1917-09-07

won't mind II we put him somewhere
out of the way till we have finished,
will yOuY"
after such an introduction" Fara-
day said In Il tone of resignation, "Mr.
Strangewey would be welcome at any
time"
"There's dear man. Louise ex-
claimed. LET me introduce him quick
ly. Mr.. John Strangewey-M Miles
Faraday, NJ. Graillot, Miss Sophy Ge-
rard my particular little friend. The
prince Of Seyre you already know, al
though you may not recognize him try
Ing to balance himself on that absurd
stool"
John bowed in various directions,
and Faraday, taking him gOOd-natured-
ly by the arm, led him to garden seat
at the back of the stage.
'There!" he said. "You are one of
the most privileged persons in London.
You shall hear the finish of our re-
hearsal. There Isn't n press man In
London I'd have near the place"
Twcnty-fOur hours away from his
silent hills, John looked out with puz-
zled eyes from his dusty seat among
ropes and pulleys and leaning frag-
ments Of scenery. What he saw and
heard seemed to him, for the most
part, meaningless tangle Of gestures
and phrases. The men and women In
fashionable clothes, moving about be-
fore that gloomy space of empty audi
| torium, looked more like marionettes
than creatures of flesh and blood,
drawn this way and that at the bidding
OF the stout, masterful Frenchman,
who was continually muttering excla-
nations and banging the manuscript
| upon his hand. II seemed like dream
picture, with unreal men and women
moving about aimlessly, saying strange
words.
Then there came q moment which
brought tingle into his blood, which
plunged his senses into hot confusion.
He rose to his feet 1t was n play
which they were rehearsing, of course
- " 90 hAiiillblC NiilhB W ste lOulSt
taken into that cold and obviously
unreal embrace, but it was only play.
1t was part of her work.
John resumed his seat and folded
his arms. With the embrace had fallen
an imaginary curtain, and the rehear-
sal was over. They were all crowded
together, talking in the center of the
stage. The prince, who had stepped
across the fOOtlights, made his way to
where John was sitting.
$50 you have deserted Cumberland
for a timer" he courteously inquired.
81 came up last night" John replied.
"LOndOn, at this season of the year"
the prince observed, 'is scarcely at its
best"
John smiled.
II am afraid" he said, "that l am
not critical. 1t is eight years since
was here last. 1 have not been out of
Cumberland during the whole of that
time"
The prince, after a moments lncred-
ulous stare, laughed softly to him
self.
"You are very wonderful person,
Mr.. Strangewey," he declared. 81 have
heard of your good fortune. If 1 can
be of any service to you during your
stay in town." he added politely,
"please command me-"
"YOu are very kind" John replied
gratefully.
Louise broke away from the little |
group and came across toward them.
"Free at last!" she exclaimed "Now
let us go out and have some tea"
They made their way down the little
passage and out into the sudden blaze
of the sunlit streets. Louise led John
to small car which was waiting in
the rear.
"The Carlton" she told the man, as
he arranged the rugs. "And now," she
added, turning to John, "why have you
come to London? How long are you
going to stay? What are you going to
do? And-most important of all-in
what spirit have you come%
John breathed little sigh of con-
eminent. II came to see you," he con-
sessed bluntly.
Dear me" she exclaimed, looking
1t him with a little smile "How down
light you are"
"Tke truth" he began.
"Has to be handled very carefully"
,he said interrupting him. 1.-THE truth
s either beautiful or crude, and the
,eople who meddle with such won
lerful thing need great deal of tact.
{Ou have come to see me, you say.
1ery well, then, I will be just as frank.
have been hoping that you would
omeI I"
"You can't imagine how good It is
o hear you say that" he declared.
"Mind," she went on, 81 have been
oping it for more reasons than one
'ou have come to realize, hope, that
is your duty to try to see a little
lore of life than you possibly can,
eading a patriarchal existence among u
our flocks and herds"
They were silent for several mo-
tents. IL
Il thought you would come" Louise o
MD at last; "and / am glad, but even a
l these first few minutes l want to Il
W something to you. If you wish to
eally understand the people you meet Ii
ere and the life they lead, don't be 81
Ike your brother-tOo quick to Judge. W
% not hug your prejudices too tightly.
ou will come across many problems. hi
ANY situations which will seem w
range to you. Do not make up your Z
ind ahout anvthin0 in hl1,.ryO L,