The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1917-12-15
CHAPTER XII.

CfHF z N MI.
4
Seyre House was one Of the few man.
sions in London which boosted ban
quoting hall as well as q picture gall
lery. Although the long table was laid
for forty guests, it still seemed, with
its shaded lights and its profusion OF
flowers, like an 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
the prince upon their arrival. He was
seated between young American star
of musical comedy and lady who had
only recently dropped from the So
cial armament through the medium OF
the divorce court, to return to the the
ater of her earlier fame. Both showed
every desire to converse with him be-
tween the intervals Of eating and
Drinking, but were constantly brought
10 a pause by Johns lack Of knowledge
of current topics. After her third
glass Of champagne, the lady who had
recently been q countess announceo
her intention of taking him under her
wing.
someone must tell you oil about
things" she insisted. "What you need
Is a guide and a chaperon. won't
dor"
, Perfectly" he agreed.
"Fair playp protested the young
lady on his left, whose name was Rosie
Sharon. 81 spoke to him first!"
"Jolly bad luck" Lord Amerton
drawled from the other side OF the
table. "Neither of you have an earth
ly. He's booked. Saw him out WIN
her thesother evening"
81 sha'n't eat any more supper
Rosie Sharon pouted, pushing away
her plate.
"You ought to have told us about
her Mt once" the lady who had been
countess declared severely.
John preserved his equanimity.
SIT is to be presumed" he murmureo
ssthat you ladies are both free IRON
any present attachment"
"Got you therew Amerton chuckled
'sWhat about BillyT"
Rosie Sharon sighed.
ave don't come to the princes sup
nor narties to remember our ties" sh'
declared. Lets all go on talking non
sense. please. Even If my heart i
broken, could never resist the prince
patel"
Apparently everyone was OF tn
same mind. The hum of laughter stead
ylv grew. Under shelter of the mr.
of conversation, the prince Leaned TO
ward his companion and reopened thei
previous discussion.
"Do YOU know" he began, Il am In
cl,ned to be somewhat disappointed o.
.vour lack Of enthusiasm in q certain
direction! ;.
81 have disappointed many men Il
nv time" she replied. 'Do you doub
INV power, now that I have promise
to exercise it?"
"Who could?" he replied COURTHOUSE!
"Yet this young man poses, Deheve
as something OF q St. AnluonJ'
may give you trouble"
"He is then, what you call prigT
"a most complete and perfect spec
men. even in this nation of prigs!
"All that you tell me-" she sighet
snakes the enterprise seem easier.
is. after all, rather like the ioness an
the mouse, isn't it?"
The prince made no reply, but upo
his lips there fingered a family incret
ulous smile. The woman by his Sic
leaned back in her place. She ha
the air of accepting the challenge.
"After supper" she said, 1--WE wi
see!"
A single chord of music in mine
kev floated across the room, soft
Arst. swelling later into volume
sound, then dying away and ceaslI
altogether. Every light in the pla
was suddenly extinguished. There
mained only the shaded lamps owe
hanging the pictures.
Not "a whisper was heard IN Z
room. John, looking around him
ACCOMPLISHMENT, was conscious only
the half-suppressed breathing OF t
mon and women who lined the walls,
were still standing in little groups
IN. end of the long hall. Again the
came the music, this time merged
low but insistent clamor OF otner
+ruments. Then, suddenly, throu