The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1917-11-02


II cannot take these things as light
~ as l used to-" she answered a little
sadly. Something has come over me
lately-I don't know what It ls-but
l seem TO have lost my taste for fir
tatlons. John, don't look up, don't
turn round / have been afraid Of
the prince all the evening. When you
came In, l fancled that you had been
drinking. When the prince asked me
something about you, an hour or so
ago, l knew that he had. saw him
like II once before, about year ago.
Don't take any notice of him Don't
talk to him, II you can at all help 1t :"
Toward their table the prince was
slowly making his way, skllfully avoid
Ing the dancers, yet looking neither
to the right nor 10 the left. His eyes
were fastened upon John. If he had
been drinking, as Sophy suggested,
there were few signs of 1t. His walk
was steady; his bearing, as usual, de-
liberate and distinguished.
He came to standstill beside them.
Sophy's fingers clutched at the table
cloth. The prince looked from one to
the other.
"You have robbed me Of a guest
Mr.. Strangewey," he remarked; "but l
bear you no ill-will. 1t is very seldom
that one sees you In these haunts of
dissipation"
"It is n gala night with me-" John
replied, his tone raised no more than
usual, but shaking with some new
quality. Drink a glass of wine with
me, prince" he invited, taking the
bottle from the ice-pail and filling a
tumbler upon the table. "Wish me
luck, won't your l am engaged to
be married."
II wish you happiness with all my
heart" the prince answered, holding
his glass up. MAY not know the
name of the ladyT
mo doubt you are prepared for the
news" John told him. Miss Maurel
has promised to become my wife"
The princes hand was as steady as
rock. He raised his glass to his lips.
81 drink to you both with the great
est Of pleasure" he said, looking John
full in the face. 'It is most remark
able coincidence. Tonight is the an
niversary Of the night when Louise
Maurel pledged herself to me-"
Johns frame seemed for moment
to dilate, and fire flashed from his
eyes.
''Will you be good enough to explain
those wOrds?" he demanded.
The prince bowed. He glanced to-
ward Sophy.
"Since you insist !" he replied. "TO-
night, then, let me tell you, is the an
niversary Of the night when Louise
Maurel consented to become my"
What followed came like thunder
clap. The prince reeled back, his hand
to his mouth, blood dropping upon the
tablecloth from his lips, where John
had struck him. He made a sudden
spring at his assailant. Sophy, shrek
ing, leaped to her feet. Everyone
'AoS III llit pAtNC SCtilCu ptll dlS HNu
with wonder.
John seized the prince by the throat,
and held him for a moment at arms
length. Then he lifted him off his feet
rs one might lift a child from the
floor. Holding his helpless victim in
a merclless grip, he carried him across |
the room and deliberately flung him !
over the table toward his empty chair. |
Sophy held John by the arm, clutch
ng 1t Historically, striving to drag
aim away. But to John the room was
empty. He stood there, a giant, mo-
.iOnless figure, his muscles still taut, |
MS face tense his eyes aflame, glar-
ng down at the PROSTATE figure of |
he man on whom he had wreaked the
accumulated fury of these last days |
md weeks of madness.