Tombstone epitaph., 1918-01-27
"and please keep your face turned
toward me. Why are you nervousf ]
am not very formidable"

1Ou know, ne confessed, i am
very stupid at this sort Of thing. Shall
we go back to the reception roomsf I
shall be the most unpopular man here
IL keep you any longer"
The smile deepened slightly. Little
lines appeared at the sides Of her
eyes. So far from being annoyed. he
could see that she was laughing.
"Joseph," she Knocked, II am not
tempting you. really! Do sit down. ]
have met men in many countries, but
none like you. Don't you realize that
your love for one woman should make
you kind to all?"
"No, / DON'T" he answered bluntly.
She patted his hand gently.
"Come," she said, do not be afraid
Of me. I will not make love to you
seriously. You must be kind to me be-
cause everybody spoils me. After sup
per there are one or two more ques-
tions I must ask you. Do you know
that I am going to dance here? Nevel
before have danced in a private house
In England. Except upon the stage. !
like to dance only to those whom ]
lover
The little space between the cur.
tains was suddenly darkened. John
turned eagerly around. and. to his i'm
mense relief, recognized the prince
Their host came forward to where they
were sitting, and held out his arm to
| Calavera.
"Dear lady," he announced, supper
is served. Will you do me this great
honor?"
She rose to her feet. The prince
turned to John.
This is my privilege as host" he
explained; 'but II you will follow US,
you will find some consolation in store
for you"
| "WellT" the prince asked, as he
handed Aida Calavera to her place al
his right hand.
| II think not" she replied.
| He raised his eyebrows slightly. Fol
a moment he glanced down the supper
table with the care Of a punctilioua
host, to see that his guests were prop.
erly seated. He addressed q few
trivialities to the musical-comedy staI
who was sitting on his left. Then he
leaned once more toward the great
dancer.
"You surprise me-" he said. u
should have thought that the enter
prise would have commended itself tc
you. You do not doubt the factsY'
| sOrhau oro nhvfouo opnn1h cho "a
piled. '.The young man tried to tel
me that he was In love with another
woman. and I felt suddenly powerless
I think must be getting to that age
when one prefers to achieve ones con
quests with the lifting Of a finger"
The prince sighed.
II shall never understand your sex =
he declared. II should have supposed
that the slight effort Of resistance
would have provided just the necessary
stimulus"
She turned her beautiful head ant
looked at the prince through narrowed
eyes.
AFTER ALL" she asked, ''what shoult
I gain7 The young man is, in his way
a splendid work Of art. Why should
be vandal enough to destroy 1t?
shall ask you another question"
The prince slowly slipped the win,
from the glass that he was holding Il
his lips. Then he set 1t down delib
erately.
"why notr
"What Is your interest? Is 1t q bet
q whim, or-enmityr
You may count 1t the latter" thu
prince replied deliberately.
Calavera laughed softly to herself.
"Now. for the first time" she con
fessed, II feel interest. This is wher,
one realizes that we live in the mos
impossible age Of all history. Th'
great noble who seeks to destroy thu
poor young man from the country d
You can neither make him q paupel
nor have him beaten to death. VIII
are there princes any longer, I won
der? You are only as other men,"
1T is an unhappy reflection, but
1t Is the truth" the prince admitted
MY ancestors would have disposed d
this young man a. ! should q trouble
some fly, and It would have cost then
no more than O few silver pieces ant
q sack Of wine. Today, alas, condi
tions are different Il viii cost M
more"
| She trified for q moment with tn
salad upon her plate. which AZ Jet shs
L r. A.