The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1917-08-23

Eugene told me the reason which had
brought you from your wilds, but
have forgotten it,"
For one thing" John replied, Il
have come because don't want to ap-
pear prejudiced, and the fact that l
never spent month in London. or even
week, seemed little narrow-mind-
ed"
"What's the real attractionT" Lady
Hilda asked. 'It is a woman, isn't itT
II am very fond of Il woman who
is in London" John admitted. Per
haps it is true that / am here on her
account"
Lady Hilda withdrew from her muff
a gold cigarette case and little box of
matches.
Order some mixed vermouth with
lemon for me, please" she begged. Il
have been shopping, and / hate tea.
I don't know why l came to see you.
l suddenly thought of it when was
in Bond street"
ut was very kind of yOu," JohH said.
IF had known that you cared about
seeing me, l would have come to you
with pleasure"
"What does it matter?" she an
swered. You are thinking, perhaps,
that | risk my reputation in coming to
young mans rooms? Those things
do not count for me. Ever since l
was child | have done exactly as l
liked, and people have shrugged their
shoulders and said, 'Ah, well, it is
only Lady Hill l am quite con-
vinced that if l chose to take you off
to Monte Carlo with me next week
and spend month with you there, l
should get my pass TO the royal inclO-
sure at Ascot when returned, and my
invitation to the next court ball, even
in this era of starch. You see, they
would say. 1t is only Lady Hilda !
The waiter brought the vermOuth,
which his visitor slipped contentedly.
$50 there is q woman, is there?" she
went on, looking across the room at her
companion. Have you committed
yourself already, then? Don't you re-
member what told you the first night
we met after the Opera-that it Is
well to waltz"
"Yes, remember" John admitted.
II meant it,"
He laughed good-humoredly, yet not
without some trace of self-consciOus-
ness.
The mischief was done then" he
said.
Couldn't it be undone?" she asked
lazily. "Or are you one of those tedl-
Gus people who are faithful forever?
Fidelity" she continued, knocking the
ash from her cigarette, "is really, to
my mind, the most bourgeois of vices.
1t comes from want of elasticity in
the emotional tibers. Nothing in life
has bored me so much as the faith
fulness of my lovers"
"You ought to put all this into one
of your books" John suggested.
II probably shall, when l write my
"reminiscences, she replied. Tell me
about this woman. And don't stand
about in that restless way at the other
end of the room. Bring chair close
to me-there, close to my side!'
John obeyed, and his visitor cOntem-
plated him thOughtfully through a
little cloud of tobacco smoke.
"Yes," she decided, "there is no use
denying it. You are hatefully good
looking and somehow or other think
your clothes have improved you. You
have Il little more air than when you
first came to town. Are you quite sure
that you haven't made up your mind
about this woman in hurry?"
"Quite sure" John laughed. II sup
pose | am rather an idiot, but / am
addicted to the vice of which you were
speaking"
She nodded
Il should imagine she said, that
you were not an adept In the art of
Irritation. Is 1t true that the woman
is Louise Maurel?"
"Quite true" John replied
"But don't you know"
She broke off abruptly. She saw the
face of the man by her side suddenly
change, and her instinct warned her
of the danger into which she was rush,
ing.
"You surprise me very much" she
said. Louise Maurel is very won
derful woman, but she seems to spend
the whole of her time with my cousin
the prince"
"They are, without doubt very
friendly" John assented. "They have
good many interests in common, anC
the prince is connected with the syn
dicate which finances the theater.
do not imagine, however, that thu
prince wishes to marry her, or sh'
him."
Lady Hilda began to laugh, softly
but as if genuinely amused. John sa
and watched her in OminOus silence
Not the flicker of smile parted hi
lips. His visitor, however, was undis
turbed. She leaned over and patte'
his hand.
Simple Simon!" she murmured
leaning a little toward him. "If 20,
go on looking like that, I shall pa
your cheeks, too. You are really muc
too nice looking to wear such thun
der clouds !"
"Perhaps If we chose some othe
subject Of conversation" John sal
stiffiy.
"Oh, dear mew she interrupted
every we'll! You really are a mos
trying person, you know. put up wit
| - ,,root dnol from Won ~