The Ordway new era., 1918-02-08

INJURED. you had to bring me out TO
a hilltop, ON the dreariest hour Of a
wet March afternoon, to tell me
what7"
First Of ALL" John began. II will an
swer a 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 60
ing to tea with the prince. Well. here
is the truth: I asked the prince to
change the day Of your visit to him"
Her fine, silky eyebrows came little
closer together.
"You asked him thatT she repeated.
| John nodded.
| "And he consentedT
| "T will explain" John continued. "It
was n 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 chaff him, and suggested that he
was entertaining some lady friend, his
latest favorite-well. dare say you
can Imagine the rest" John broke OF.
Her fingers played nervously for a
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. 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 So"
"Was that all that passed between
you?"
"Not quite" John replied. "He
asked me what concern it was Of mine,
and told him hoped that some day
you would be my WIFE"
She sat quite still, looking down
upon the flaring lights. She was filed
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 so much
as to stay Just where she was. and to
hear just the words she was going to
hear.
$50 much for that |" John proceeded.
"And now please listen. I have brought
you out here because under these con-
ditions feel more master Of myself
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-
tion.. You sit enthroned there like the
| queen of a world / know nothing of,
and all the time letters and flowers
and flattering invitations are showered
upon you from the greatest men in
London. The atmosphere there stiles
me, Louise. Out here you are woman
and man, and those other things
fall away. I have tried my best to
come little way into sympathy with
your life. want you now to make up
your mind to come down a 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
on the hllltops. and from the heights
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 a
heart growing cold with selfshness
She pitied herself as she had been
Then sh, opened her eyes with a start
Of joy.
"How wonderful 1t all Isl" she muir.
INJURED. you brought me here to tell
me this?"
"And to hear something!" he insist
ed.
II have tried not to. John" she con
fessed, amazed at the tremble Of hel
sweet, low voice. Her words seemed
like the confession Of a weeping child
II cannot help 1t. I do love you'll
! : have tried not to SO hard, but now
now shall not try any morel''
They drove quietly down the lont
Not another word passed between
them till they drew up outside hel
door. She felt new timidlty as h,
+ handed her out, an immense gratitud,
, for his firm tone and intuitive tact.
: "No. I won't come In, thanks" he de
3 clared. "You have SO little time t.
} rest and get ready for the theater."
you will be there tonight7" sh'
. asked.
He laughed as II there were hume
in the suggestion Of his absence.
4 "Of coursef'
He slipped in his clutch and drov
on through the rain-gleaming street
with the smile and air of conquerol
q Louise passed into her little house t