Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1917-09-07

ropes and pulleys and leaning frag-
ments Of scenery. What he saw and
heard seemed to him, for the most
part, Q meaningless tangle Of gestures
and phrases. The men and women In
fashionable clothes, moving about be-
fore that gloomy space Of empty audi
forum, looked more like marlonettes
than creatures Of flesh and blood,
drawn this way and that at the bidding
Of the stout, masterful Frenchman,
who was continually mutterlng excla-
nations and banging the manuscript
upon his hand. II seemed like dream
picture, with unreal men and women
moving about almlessly, saying strange
words.
Then there came a moment which
brought tlngle into his blood, which
plunged his senses into hot confusion.
He rose to his feet. 1t was play
which they were rehearslng, Of course !!
It was damnable thing to see Louise
taken into that cold and obviously
unreal embrace, but 1t was only a play.
It was part Of her work.
John resumed his seat and folded
his arms. With the embrace had fallen
On imaginary curtain, and the rehear-
sal was over. They were all crowded
together, talking, In the center Of the
stage. The prince, who had stepped
across the footlIghts, made his way to
where John was sitting.
$50 you have deserted Cumberland
for a timer he courteously inquired.
II came up last night" John replied
'L0ndon, at this season Of the year."
the prince observed, us scarcely at Its
best"
John smiled.
II am afraid" he said, "that I am
not critical. 1t Is eight years since
wasshere last. I have not been out Of
Cumberland during the whole Of that
time"
The prince, after moments incred-
ulous stare, laughed softly to him
self.
"You are q very wonderful person,
Mr.. Strangewey," he declared. II have
heard Of your good fortune. II | can
be Of any service to you during your
stay In town." he added politely,
"please command me-"
"You are very kind" John replied
gratefully.
Louise broke away from the little
group and came across toward them.
Free at last!" she exclaimed. Nov
let us go out and have some tea"
They made their way down the little
passage and out into the sudden blaze
Of the sunlit streets. Louise led John
to a small car which was waiting In
the rear.
"The Carlton" she told the man, as
he arranged the rugs. "And now" she
added. turning to John, 'why have you
come to London2 How long are you
going to stay? What are you going to
do2 And--most important of all-in
what spirit have you conner
John breathed a little sigh Of con-
tentment. ~ came to see you," he con-
fessed bluntly.
"Dear mew she exclaimed, looking
Mt him with little smile. "How down
right you are"
"The truth" he began.
HAS to be handled very carefully"
she said, interrupting him. "The truth
Is either beautiful or crude, and the
people who NEEDLE with such Won
derful thing need a great deal Of tact.
You have come to see me, you say.
Very well, then will be just as frank.
l have been hoping that you would
come! |"
"You can't imagine how good 1t Is
to hear you say that" he declared.
"Mind," she went on, 81 have been
hoping 1t for more reasons than one.
You have come to realize, | hope, that
It is your duty to try to see little
more of life than you possibly can,
leading a patrlarchal existence among
your fiocks and herds"
They were silent for several mo.
ments.
II thought you would come" Louise
said at last; "and / am glad, but even
In these first few minutes I want to
say something to you. If you wish tC
really understand the people you meet
here and the life they lead don't be
like your brother-too quick to judge
Do not hug your prejudices too tightly
You will come across many problems
many situations which will seen
strange to you. Do not make up your
mind about anything In hurry"
II will remember that" he promised
"You must remember, though, that
don't expect ever to become convert
I believe | am a countryman, bred
and born. Still, there are some things
that l want to understand, II can
and, more than anything else-I want
to see you'll"
She faced his direct speech this time
with more elaboration.
Tell me exactly WHY"
"If / could tell you that" he replied
simply, II should be able to answer
for myself the riddle which has kept
me awake at night for weeks ant
months, which has puzzled me more
than anything else In life has evel
done."i
"You really have thought of noe
then2"
Didn't you always know that
shouldT"
4 l. IA