The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1917-12-07

either to marry your young man down
at Bath, or to have a sweetheart OF
your own, a companion, some one
quite different"
"How differentr'
Someone who cared for you as you
deserve to be cared for, and whom
you cared for, too"
81 cannot take these things as light
ly as used to-" she answered little
sadly. Something has come over me
lately-I don't know what it is-but
l seem TO have lost my taste for fir
tations. John, don't look up, don't
turn round! / have been afraid of
the prince all the evening. When you
came in, I fancied that you had been
drinking. When the prince asked me
something about you, an hour or so
ago, knew that he had. I saw him
like it once before, about a year ago.
Don't take any notice of him. Don't
talk to him, if you can at ali help it !"
Toward their table the prince was
slowly making his way, skilfully avoid
ing the dancers, yet looking neither
to the right nor to the left. His eyes
were fastened upon John. If he had
been drinking, as SOphy suggested,
there were few signs of it. 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; shut 1
bear you no ill-will. 1t is very seldom
that one sees you in these haunts of
dissipation"
at is 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 you? I am engaged to
be marriedl'
81 wish you happiness with all my
heart" the prince answered, holding
his glass up. MAY 1 not know the
name of the lady?"
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 |
a 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
liversary of the night when Louise
Maurel pledged herself to me-"
Johns frame seemed for q moment |
o dilate, and fire flashed from his
yes.
'Will you be good enough to explain
hose words?" he demanded.
The prince bowed. He glanced to-
yard Sophy.
"Since you insistr' he replied. ITO
light, then, let me tell you, is the an
iversary of the night when Louise
laurel consented to become my"
What followed came like a thunder
lap. The prince reeled back, his hand
D his mouth, blood dropping upon the
ablecloth from his lips, where John
ad struck him. He made a sudden
pring at his assailant. Sophy. shrek ,
ng, leaped to her feet. Everyone
lse in the place seemed paralyzed ,
18th wonder. In
John seized the prince by the throat,
nd held him for moment at arms '
myth. Then he lifted him off his feet
J one might lift child from the s
DOR. Holding his helpless victim In (
merciless grip, he carried him across n
lie room and deliberately flung him S
yer the table toward his empty chair. Y
Sophy held John by the arm, clutch
9 1t Historically, striving to drag