The Elk Mountain pilot., 1918-02-28

| said. II have brought you here that
| may say 1t in my own way and In my
own atmosphere"
This Is like youi" Louise mur-
INJURED. "You had to bring me out to
a hilltop. ON the dreariest hour of
wet March afternoon, to tell me
what7"
First Of ALL" John began, II will an
swer q question which you have asked
me three times since we started out
this afternoon. You wanted to know
how found out that you were not go
ing to tea with the prince. Well, here
is the truth: asked the prince to
change the day Of your. visit to him."
Her fine, silky eyebrows came little
closer together.
"You asked him that9" she repeated.
| John nodded.
"And he consentedf
II will explain" John continued. ut
was a most unfortunate circumstance,
but In the club, after lunch, the subject
of spending the afternoon came up.
The prince spoke Of an engagement.
He was tied at home, he said, from
four to six. Some of the men began
to char him, and suggested that he
was entertaining some lady friend, his
latest favorite-wen, I dare say you
can imagine the rest" John broke on.
Her fingers played nervously for Q
moment with the edge Of the rug. She
drew 1t higher up.
"Well. when left your house the
first time this afternoon, went
straight back to the prince. I pointed
out to him that after what had been
said. as 1t might become known that
you were his guest Of today, 1t would
be better for him to postpone your
visit. He agreed to do 30"
"Was that all that passed between
your
mot quite" John replied. "He
and told him hoped that some day
you would be my WIFE"
She sat quite still, looking down
upon the haring lights. She was filled
with a restless desire to escape, to
start the motor herself, and rush
through the wet air into London and
safety. And side by side with that
desire she knew that there was moth
ing In the world she wanted 80 much
MS to stay Just where she was, and to
hear Just the words she was going to
hear.
$50 much for that I" John proceeded.
"And now please listen. have brought
you out here because under these con-
al 2n~I <%A
and my thoughts, and of things want
to say to you. Something takes me BY
the throat in your little drawing-room.
with Its shaded lights, its perfume Of
flowers, and its atmosphere of perfec-
ton. You sit enthroned there like the
queen Of a world know nothing of,
and all the time letters and flowers
and nattertng Invitations are showered
upon yeu from the greatest men in
London. The atmosphere there stiles
me. Louise. Out here you are woman
and I a man. and those other things
fall away. I have tried my best to
come a little way into sympathy with
your life. I want you now to make up
your mind to come down 4 little way
into minei"
She felt the sudden swapping Of ev-
cry nerve in her body. the passing
away Of all sense Of will or resistance.
She was conscious only Of the little
movement toward him. the Involuntary
yielding Of herself. She lay back In
his arms, and the kisses which closed
her eyes and lips seemed to be work
ing some strange miracle.
She was in some great empty space.
breathing wonderful things. She was
she looked down at herself as she had
been-a poor little white-faced puppet,
strutting about an overheated stage. In
a fetid atmosphere of adulation, with
a brain artifcially stimulated, and
heart growing cold with selflshness.
She pitled herself as she had been.
Then sh , opened her eyes with q start
Of Joy.
"How wonderful 1t all Is I" she muir
INJURED. "You brought me here to tell
me this2"
"And to hear somethingi" he insist
ed.
II have tried not to, John," she con-
fessed, amazed at the tremble Of her
sweet, low voice. Her words seemed
like the confession of a weeping child.
II cannot help it I do love you'll I
have tried not to 50 hard. but now
now shall not try any morei"
They drove quietly down the long
hill and through the dripping streets.
Not another word passed between
them till they drew up outside her
door. She felt a new tmidity as he
handed her out, an immense gratitude
for his firm tone and intuitive tact.
"No. I won't come in, thanks" he de-