New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1917-10-05
CHAPTE XII.

Seyre House was one of the few man
sions in London which boasted II ban
quoting hall as well as II picture gal
lery. Although the long table was luid
FOR forty guests. ii still seemed, viii
It's shaded lights and its profusion OF
flowers, like IN oasis of color in the
middle of the huge, somberly lighted
apartment. Some of the faces of the
guests were well known to John
through their published photographs
to others he had been presented by
,he prince upon their arrival, He was
seated between n young American star
of musical comedy and Il lady who had
only recently dropped from the so
Ella armament through the medium of
the divorce court, to return to the the
alter of her earlier fame. Both showed
every desire to converse with him be-
tween the intervals of eating and
drinking, Int We're constantly brought
to a pause by Johns lack of knowledge
of current topics. After her third
glass of champagne, the lady who had
ItNtlllly DttU IL NbullltSS announced
ner intention of taking him under her
wing.
"SOmeOne must tell you all about
things" she insisted. "What you need
is II guide and a chaperon. Won't
do?"
"Perfectly," he agreed.
"Fair play" protested the young
lady on his left, whose name was Rosie
Sharon. II spoke to him first"
"Jolly bad luck" Lord Alnerton
drawled from the other side of the
table. "Neither of you have I'm earth
ly. He's booked. Saw him out with
her the other evening"
81 sha'n't eat any more supper"
Rosie Sharon pouted, pushing away
her plate.
"You ought to have told us about
her ut once" the lady who had been II
countess declared severely.
John preserved his equnnimity.
at is to be presumed" he murmured.
that you ladies' are both free from
any present ~attachment"
Got you there" Amerton chuckled.
"What about Billy"
Rosie Sharon sighed.
"Wc don't come to the princes sup
per parties to remember our ties" she
declared. Lets all go on talking non
sense. please. Even if my heart is
broken. | could never resist the princes
pate"
Apparently everyone was of the
AIN mind. The hum of laughter stead
lily grew. Under shelter of the fire
Of conversation, the prince leaned to-
ward his companion and reopened their
previous discussion.
"DO you know" he began, 81 am in
clined to be somewhat disappointed by
your lack Of enthusiasm in II certain
direction. :"
IL have disappointed many men in
my time" she replied. ADO you doubt
my power, now that l have promised
to exercise III"
"Who could?" he replied courteously.
'Yet this young man poses, | believe.
as something Of II st. Anthony. He
may give you trouble"
ale is then, what you call II prig?"
"A most complete and perfect spcci-
men, even in this nation of prigs,"
"All that you tell me-" she sighed.
makes the enterprise seem easier. 1t
IS, after all. rather like the lioness and
he mouse. isn't it,"
The prince made no reply, but upon
his lips there fingered a family incred-
smile. The woman by his side
eaned back in her place. She had
he air Of accepting the challenge.
after supper" she said. 1--WE will
A single chord of music in a minor
icy fioated across the room, soft ut
irst. swelling later into a volume of
ound. then dying away and ceasing
Iltogether. Every light in the place
suddenly extinguished. There re-
only the shaded lamps over :.
the pictures.
Not a whisper vas heard In the
John, looking around him in r
was conscious only OF
.
he half-suppressed breathing of the
len and women who lined the walls. or 81
rere still standing i'm little GROUPS mt h
he end of the long hall. Again there
anne the music. this time merged in V
low but ilsistent clanor of other in "
Then, suddenly. through II
he door At the farther end Of the
pom came a dimly seer figure in white. n
he plac, seemed wrapped in a mys- /,
twilight. with long black rays Of y
eeper shadow lying across the floor. il
here was a little murmur Of tense s.
oices, and then again silence.
For a few moments the figure in "
ihite was motionless Then, without
ny visible commencement. she seemed u
10 blend into the wares Of
w. passionate music. The dance it. c,
III was without form or definite move
She seemed Mt first like some a.
hite. limbless spirit, foat.ig here and h
.ere across the DARK lars of shadow I