The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1917-12-08

some later arrivals. The noisy HUE
group standing close at hand, from
which John had been diverted, passed
on into the refreshmcnt room, and the
! two were. for few moments, almost
isolated.
You We're pleased with the perform.
ance, hOpe?"
Her voice was in character with her
personality 1t was extremely low,
scarcely louder than whisper. To
his surprise, It was almost wholly free
from any foreign accent.
1T WAS very wonderful" John an.
swered.
THE prince tells me-" she continued
that you are stranger in London
Give me- your arm. We will walk to
quieter place. In few moments We
are TO be disturbed for supper. One
eats so often and SO much In this coun-
try. Why do say that. though? II
Is not so bad as in Russia"
They passed across the polished
wood floor into n little room with
oriental fittings, where lamp was
swinging from the ceiling, giving out a
dim but pleasant light. The place was
empty, and the sound of the music
and voices seemed to come from a dis.
lance. She sank down upon u diyan
back among the shadows, and mo
toned John to sit by her side.
you have come to find out, to I'm.
derstand-is that not so?' she inquired
what you know of life, the prince
tells me, you have learned from books
Now you have come 10 discover wha,
more there is to be learned In the
world Of men and women"
The prince has been very kind,
John said.
She turn ID her head Slowly and
looked at him.
"A young man to whom the prince
chooses to be kind is, in a way, for
tunate," she said. There Is very lit
tie In life, in men or In women, which
he does not understand. Let US re-
turn to what We were speaking about.
find 1t very interesting"
"YOu are very kind" John declared.
what you will learn here" she went
on, depends very much upon yourself.
Are you intelligent? Perhaps not very"
she added. looking at him critically.
you have brains, however, without q
doubt. You have also what places you
at once en- rapport with the cult Of the
xunndnrHrI1lvy
looking"
John moved little uneasily in his
place. He felt that the dancers eyes
were fixed upon him, and he was fever
ishly anxious not to respond to the IN
vitation Of their gaze. He was con-
scious, too, OF the queer, indefinable
fascination Of her near presence In the
dimly-lighted room.
what you will learn" she proceed
ed, depends very much upon your de-
slres. II you seek for the best, and
are content with nothing else, you will
find 1t. But so few men are content
to waltz
81 intend to-" John said simply.
Once more he was compelled to look
into her deep-blue eyes. The incom-
prehensible smile was still upon her
lips.
You have loved?"
NO" he answered, taken a little
aback by the abruptness Of the ques-
ton.
You grow more wonderful You
are free from any distracting thoughts
about women? You have no entangle-
nentS?'
Il have nothing Of the Sort" John
declared, almost irritably. There is
one person who has made q wonder
full change in my life. / believe could
say that l am absolutely certain Of my
feelings for her, but so far she has rot
given me much encouragement. Tell
me, madame, why do you ask me these
questions?"
because it interests me-" she re-
piled. "Why do you not insist that
this lady should tell you the truth?
Il have come to London to insist"
he told her, "but have been here only
forty-eight hours. am waiting"
$50 many people spend their lives
doing that" she went On presently. at
does not appeal to me. The moment l
make up my mind that l want a thing,
l take 1t. The moment make up my
mind to give, / give"
John was suddenly conscious Of the
closeness of the atmosphere. The fin
gers of his hands were cIenched tight
ly together. He swor" to himself that
he would not look .fto this woman's
face. He listened 10 the band which
was playing in the balcony 81 The great
hall, to the murmur nf The voices, the
shouts of laughter Re told himself
that Nine. Calavera was amusing her.
self with him.
"The princes parry" size continued,
n 1Npr nonco stCoa,,,c 10 N