Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1917-11-30
The
tlill1,lan
By
e. PHILLIPS
OPPENHEIM
Author Of THE Double Traitor"
THE Master Mummer." etc.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
NlullIlnll
Copyright. The Frank A. Munsey Coz

He strolled off, and few minutes
later John found Sophy.
'How late you are!" he grumbled.
81 couldn't help It," she answered.
"This is the only evening dress pos.
sess at present, and had to mend II
before II was decent to come out In.
Why are you wandering about alonel
Hasn't Louise been kind to your"
"She has been charming" John de-
clared promptly, "but she Is surround.
ed with all sorts Of people l don't
know. ! can't help her. For one
thing, my French is absurd. Then
they are all talking about things which
! I don't understand in the least"
Sophy remained silent for mo
ment. Then she took Johns arm and
led him to the buffet.
"Glve me an ice and n cigarette,
will you, please? You are dear, Inn
practical person. but you are as much
out Of this world as human being
well could bew
John waited upon her without any
further remark. The prince Of Seyre,
passing through, bowed to them. John
looked after his retreating figure. An
irresistible impulse seized him.
"Sophy' he asked, sitting down by
her side, tell me, why have the prince
and Louise always been such great
friends?"
Sophy looked steadfastly at her Ice.
II suppose because the prince Is
very clever and cultivated person"
she said. ale has been Of great as
sistance to Louise several times. II
was he who financed Miles Faraday
when he put on this play of Graillots.
Gralllot hasn't penny, you know,
and poor Miles was almost broke after
three failures"
"That was just an investment"
John remarked lrritably. "He will get
his money back again."
"Of course" Sophy agreed. II think
the prince generally manages to get
value for what he does in life."
"You don't think Louise ever
thought of caring for him, do your
John persisted.
Sophy paused until she had lit q
cigarette. The expression In her face.
when she looked up at John, irritated
him vaguely. 1t was as If she were
talking to child.
~ think" she said, "you had better
ask Louise that question yourself,
don't your
He asked II an hour or SO later,
when ut last the party Of guests had
taken their leave, and, somewhat to
the well-bred surprise Of the one or
two friends who fingered, Louise had
beckoned to John TO take her out to
her car. Her hand had sought his at
once, her head rested little YEARLY
but very contentedly upon his shout
der.
Louise, dear" he began, II asked
Sophy question tonight which l
ought to have asked you. Quite prop
erly, she told me So"
mice little soul, Sophyw Louise
murmured. "What was 1t, JohnT
"Once or twice l have wondered"
he went on, whether you have ever
cared In any sort Of way, or come
near to caring, for the prince Of
Seyref"
For moment she made no move
ment. Then she turned her head and
looked at him. The sleepy content
had gone from her eyes.
"Why do you ask?"
isn't 1t quite natural question
from a jealous man who believes that
everyone who sees you must be In
love with you? You have seen great
deal of the prince, haven't you, In the
last few years? He understands your
art. There are many things that you
and he have in common"
Louise was looking out of the win
dow at the thin stream of people still
passing along Picadllly. She seemed
suddenly to have become only the
shadow Of her former brilliant self.
81 think that once--perhaps twice."
she confessed, 81 came very near to
caring for him."
"And now"
"And now" she repeated, suddenly
gripping Johns hands, II tell you that
| am very much nearer hating him.
So much for the prince! In ten min
utes we shall be at home. and you
are such dear stupid about coming
in. You must try to say all the nice
things In the world to me quickly--in
ten minutes"
"How shall | begin" he whispered.
She leaned once more toward him.
"You don't need any hints" she muir.
INJURED. "You're really quite good at
c N ~