Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1917-11-16

stTuISe anu NlulONl bNuutilui III Lou
ise's face, something which had come
to her lately, and which shone from
her eyes only Mt rare intervals.
"You care for him, / believed" Sophy
cried at last. "You care for him |"
Louise did not move.
"Why not?' she whispered.
There was a ring at the front door.
Louise, from her place, could see the
long, gray bonnet Of Johns car. AL
most before she could speak, he was
announced.
cts an atrocious time to come, /
know" he began apologetically.
"You're in time for some coffee, any
how" Sophy told him cheerfully. "And
! know Louise Is glad to see you, be-
cause If you hadn't come, was going
to make her go through some ac-
counts"
"You know | am always glad to see
you," Louise murmured, pointing to
chair. "Sophy and ! have been having
most interesting discussion, but we
have come TO cul dc sac"
81 really came,' John explained, ito
ask If you cared 10 come and see a
collection Of pictures. There's an Ital-
lana futurist. of course-just un-
packed his little lot and set them up
over a curiosity shop In Clifford street
lie Is sending out cards for next week,
but | could take you today-that Is,
If you would care about 1t. We can
90 somewhere for some tea afterward.'
Louise made little grmace.
"What bad luck = she exclaimed.
She stopped short She felt that by
her hesitation she had, In sense, COM
mitted herself.
81 have promised to go and have tea
with the prince at Seyre House." she
said. at is an engagement we made
last week."
John set dGwn his empty coffee cup
with clatter An ineXplicable but
dominating fury seemed to have sud
denly assailed him. He took out a
cigarette and tried 20 light ii. Sophy.
after watching him for moment In
establishment, slipped out of the room.
Louise came over TO his side.
"Are you really so much disappolnt-
ed?' she asked. 81 am so sorry If
| had known that you were coming for
me- | would have kept myself free. >
ut isn't that exactly" John an
swered "Its something I can't alto
gether explain, II you don't mind,
think | will be going. There is some
thing / must put right"
He left without another word. She
watched him step into hts new motor
car and drive away little recklessly
considering the crowded state of the
streets. He drew up, few minutes
later, outside the club in Pail Mall
where, as 1t Glanced, he had luncheo
that day with the prince of Seyre.
He found the prince still sitting In
the smoking room, reading a review
over the top of which he glanced VI
as John approached, and nodded non
chalantly.
Back again?' he murmured.
81 came back to have word Will
you, prince"
The prince laid lown the review
keeping his finger /. the place.
"Delightcd -
mot long ago" iohn went on "il
this room, sOmoone--I think 1t was Ma
for Char,ers--assed you what yot
were doing THIS HftCrioGn. You repliet
that you wcra engaged. There wer'
several othcrS present, aud they begar
to chat you. Perhaps | Joined ill
don't remember think that it wa
Major Charters who asked you, TO u.s.
his owr wore Hh, ,her your appoint
ment vas win q lsLg. You replied II
the affirmative. nh re was loud vol
ley of chafr. You listened without con
tradiction to many references concern
ing the lady aud tue afternoons en-
gager,ent."
The prince noldcd slightly. His fac
remained quite exp Ss.0n,ess.
AS a matter li i'ct,' John conclud
ed. 81 have dl.c,} red by the pures
accident that Mss N.urcl is to be you
guest this arl'~Nrr ut Seyre House.
The prince 'o"'jn'i his head gently
He remained Molo"rlabic.
"NellT"
aohn frowued hcTvily.
"Cant you see" he went on bluntly
"that If any ore Of those men VIII
were present, aud hoard what was sal
about your guest found out afterwar
that II was Miss Mjurel who came I
see you-well, | need moi 20 on, nee
/? an. sure son understand. Tn
things which we're limited ut could nc
possibly Apply 10 Der. Would 20
mind sending note to Miss Maur'
and asking her to have tea with "
some other afternOonT
Sand why the deuce should q
that?' the prince asked, a triile pale
but entirely sef-possessed.
"To obllge me-" John replied.
The prince wiped his eyeglass car
fully upon his handkerchief.
"Mr. Strangewcy, you are yer
amiable young man. he said equabi
TO whom | hnve tried TO show son
kindness for Miss Maurel's sake.
really do not see, howeyer-pardon n
putting 1t plainly--what business tn
is of yours"
| sit is my business" John declare