The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1917-10-12

how?" she demanded II feel sure that
Eugene told me the reason which had
brought you from your wilds, but
have forgotten It,"
For one thing" John replied, 81
have come because / don't want to ap'
pear preJudiced, and the fact that
never spent month in London, or even
week, seemed a little narrow-mind'
ed"
whats the real attractlon?" Lady
Hilda asked. "It is woman, isn't ltT
~ am very fond of woman who
Is in London" John admitted. "Per'
haps II is true that l am here on her
account"
Lady Hllda withdrew from her mum
a gold cigarette case and little box OF
matches.
"Order some mixed vermouth with
lemon for me, please" she begged. 81
have been shopping, and I hate tea'
1 don't know why came to see you.
l suddenly thought of 1t when l was
in Bond street."
at was very kind of you" John said.
''If l had known that you cared about
seeing me, l would have come to you
with pleasure"
"What does 1t matter?" she an
swered. you are thinking, perhaps,
that risk my reputation in coming to
a young mans rooms? Those things
do not count for me. Ever since l
was child have done exactly as l
liked, and people have shrugged their
shoulders and said, 'Ah, well, it is
only Lady Hildap / am quite con-
vinced that If chose to take you Off
to Monte Carlo with me next week
and spend a month with you there,
should get my pass to the royal inclo-
sure at Ascot when returned, and my
invitation to the next court ball, even
in this era of starch. You see, they
would say, 1T is only Lady Hildar"
The waiter brought the vermouth,
which his visitor slipped cOntentedly.
80 there Is a woman, Is there" she
went on, looking across the room at her
companion. Have you committed
yourself already, then? Don't you re-
member what told you the first night
well to waltz"
"Yes, remember" John admitted.
81 meant it."
He laughed good-humOredly yet not
without some trace of self-cOnsciOus-
ness.
The mischief was done then" he
said.
Couldn't 1t be undOne?" she asked
lazily. "Or are you one of those tedi-
GUS people who are faithful forever?
Fidelity" she continued, knocking the
ash from her cigarette, sis really, to
my mind, the most bourgeois of vices.
1t comes from a want of elasticity in
the emotional fibers. Nothing in life
has bored me so much as the faith
fulness of my lovers"
"You ought to put all this into one
Of your books" John suggested.
81 probably shall, when write my
"reminiscences" she replied. Tell me
about this woman. And don't stand
about in that restless way at the other
end of the room. Bring a chair close
to me-there, close to my side"
John obeyed, and his visitor contem-
plated him thoughtfully through
little cloud of tobacco smoke.
"Yes," she decided, ''there Is no use
denying it. You are hatefully good
looking, and somehow or other I think
your clothes have improved you. You
have little more air than when you
first came to town. Are you quite sure
that you haven't made up your mind
about this woman in hurry"
"Qulte sure" John laughed. II sup
pose l am rather an idiot but / am
to the vice of which you were
speaking"
She nodded
II should imagine" she said, "that |
you were not an adept in the art of
Irritation. Is it true that the woman
Is Louise MaurelW
"Quite true" John replied.
DuL uOu yOu huOW-
She broke off abruptly. She saw the
face of the man by her side suddenly
change, and her instinct warned her
IF the danger into which she was rush
ng.
"You surprise me very much" she
said. Louise Maurel is very won
lerful woman, but she seems to spend
he whole of her time with my cousin,
he prince"
"They are, without doubt, very
friendly" John assented. "They have
/ good many interests in common, and
he prince is connected with the syn
licate which finances the theater.
10 not imagine, however, that the
,rince wishes to marry her, or she
lim."
Lady Hilda began to laugh, softly,
tut as If genuinely amused. John sat
md watched her In Omlnous silence.
Iot the flicker of a smile parted his
lps. His visitor, however, was undiS-
urbed. She leaned over and patted .
lis hand
"Simple Simonv she murmured,
Gaming little toward him. "If you c
o on looking like that, shall pat /
our cheeks, too. You are really much |
DO nice looking to wear such thun- Q
er clouds p
perhaps If we chose some other {
ubject of conversation" John said 9
tiffly. ....
"Oh, dear mel" she interrupted.
Very we'll You really are a most "