The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1917-07-19

won't mind IL we put him somewhere
out Of the way till we have finished,
will yOu?"
After such an introduction" Fara-
day said In n tone of resignation, "Mr.
Strangewey would he welcome at any
time"
There's dear man." Louise ex-
claimed. ''Let me introduce him quick
ly. Mr.. John Strangewey-Mr. Miles
Faraday, NJ. Grailot, Miss Sophy Ge-
rard, my particular little friend. The
prince of Seyre you already know, al
though you may not recognize him try
ing to balance himself on that absurd
STOOL"
John bowed in various directions,
and Faraday, taking him gOOd-natured-
ly by the arm, led him to a garden seat
at the back of the stage.
'"There!" he said. "You are one of
the most privileged persons in London.
You shall hear the finish of our re-
hearsal. There Isn't a press man In
London I'd have near the place"
Twenty-four hours away from his
silent hills, John looked out with puz-
zled eyes from his dusty seat among
ropes and pulleys and leaning frag-
ments of scenery. What he saw and
heard seemed to him, for the most
part, meaningless tangle of gestures
and phrases. The men and women In
fashionable clothes, moving about be-
fore that gloomy space of empty audi
tOrium, looked more like marionettes
than creatures of flesh and blood,
drawn this way and that at the bidding
Of the stout, masterful Frenchman,
who was continually muttering excla-
nations and banging the manuscript
upon his hand. 1t seemed like dream
picture. with unreal men and women
moving about aimlessly, saying strange
words.
Then there came moment which
brought a tinge into his blood, which
plunged his senses into hot confusion.
He rose to his feet. It was a play
which they were rehearsing, of course
1t was damnable thing to see Louise
taken into that cold and obviously
unreal embrace, but it was only play.
1t was part of her work.
John resumed his seat and folded
his arms. With the embrace had fallen
an imaginary curt1lin, and the reheGr-
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 time?" he courteously inquired.
II came up last night" John replied.
London, at this season of the year."
the prince observed, ais scarcely at its
best"
John smiled.
81 am afraid" he said, "that am
not critical. 1t is eight years since l
was here last. l have not been out of
Cumberland during the whole of that
time"
The prince, after u moments incred-
ulous stare, laughed softly to HIM
self.
"YOu are very wonderful person,
Mr.. Strangewey," he declared. II have
heard of your good fortune. If l 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 lastw she exclaimed. "Now
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.
1.-THE Carlton" she told the man, as
he arranged the rugs. And now" she
added, turning to John, ''why have you
come to London? How long are you
going to stay? What are you going to
do? And-most important of all-in
what spirit have you comeT
John breathed little sigh of CON
tentment. II came to see yOu," he con-
fessed bluntly.
Dear mew she exclaimed, looking
at 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 great deal of tact.
Very well, then l will be just rs frank.
l have been hoping that you would !
comew
"You can't imagine how good it is
to hear you say that" he declared
mind" she went on, II have been |
hoping it for more reasons than one.
You have come to realize, hope, that
it is your duty to try to see Il little
more of life than you possibly can,
leading a patriarchal existence among
your flocks and herds"
They were silent. for several mo-
ments.
81 thought you would come" Louise
said at last; land am glad, but even
in these first few minutes l want to
say something to you. If you wish to
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 seem
strange to you. Do not make up your
mind about anything in a hurry"
uT ,,,,lI .o,,,o,,,how that ho ruox,,,.l |