The Ordway new era., 1918-02-15

1
very much more surprised at her mar
riage."
John made his escape somehow. He
remembered opening the door, but hi
had no recollection of reaching the
street. A few minutes later, however
he found himself striding down Pic
cadilly toward Hyde Park corner.
He found taxicab and was driven
toward the Milan. He was conscious
Of wild desire to keep away from
his rooms. Every pulse In his body
was tingling. He vas fercely awake
eager for motion, action, excitement
Of any sort. Suddenly he remembered
the night club to, which he had been
introduced by Sophy on the first night
of his arrival in London. The ad.
dress. too, was there quite clearly in
his disordered brain. He leaned out
of the cab and repeated 1t to the driv.
er.
The little place was Unexpectedly
crowded when he entered, after hav-
ing handed his hat and coat to q
vestiaire. A large supper party was
going on at the farther end, and the
dancing space was smaller than usu-
al. The maitre d'hotel was escorting
John to a small table In q distant
corner. which had Just been vacated.
when the latter heard his name sud
denly called by a familiar voice. So
ply, who had been dancing, aban-
doned her partner preclpitately and
came hurrying up to John with out
stretched hands.
"Johnw she exclaimed. "You, of
all people in the worldl What do you
mean by coming here alone at this
time of night? Fancy not telling me
Is anything the matter7"
Nothing" he replied. 81 really
don't exactly know why I am here. /
simply don't want to go to bed"
"where is the prince7" he asked.
Sophy, struck by something In his
voice. swung around and looked ut
him. Then she thrust both her arms
through his, clasped her two hands
together. and led him firmly away. A
glimmering Of the truth was begin
ming to dawn upon her.
"Tell me where you have been since
you left the reception" she insisted.
when at last they were seated to-
gether.
"wait till I have ordered some
wine," he said.
A waiter served them with cham
payne. When Johns glass was filled,
he drained Its contents. Sophy
watched him with surprise. She came
q little closer to him.
"John." she whispered. "you must
me everything! Did you take Louise
homer"
'Yes."
"what happened, then7 You didn't
quarrel with herr"
Nothing at all happened" he as
sured her. "We parted the best Of
friends. It wasn't that"
"Then what7 Remember that I am
your friend. John. dear. Tell me ev-
erything."
II will tell you," he assented. II
went to a little club I belong to on
the Adelphi Terrace. I sat down in
the smoking room. There was no one
there knew. Some men were talk
ing. They had been to the reception
tonight. They were comparing French
actresses and English. They spoke
first of the French woman. Latrobe.
and her lovers; then of Louise. They
spoke quite calmly. like men discuss
ing history. They compared the two
actresses. they compared their lives.
Latrobe. they said. had lovers by the
score-LouIse only one"
Sophy's hand stole Into his. She
was watching the twisting of his Sxr,
lures. She understood so well Is e4-
citement underneath.
81 think I can guess" she whis-
pered. Don't hurt yourself telling
ME. Something was said about the
princeW
His eyes blazed down upon her.
"You, too?" he muttered. "Does
the whole world know Of 1t and speak
us If 1t did not matter7 Sophy, is 1t
true? Speak outi Don't be afraid Of
hurting me. You call yourself my
friend. I've been down, looking at
the outside of her house. dared not
go in. There's fire burning In my
soul Tell me II 1t is true"
"You must not ask me that ques-
uon. John." she begged. "How should
know? Besides. these things are SO
different in our world. the world you
haven't found out much about yet.
Supposing 1t were true, john" she
went on, remember that 1t was be-
fore you knew her. Supposing 1t
should be true, remember this-your
idea of life is too absurd. Is one creed
made to fit human beings who may
differ in a million different ways7 A
woman may be as good as any ever
born into the world, and yet take just
a little love into her life, If she be
true and faithful in doing 1t. don't
believe there is a dearer or sweeter
woman breathing than Louise. but one
must have love. Don't / know lit