Lincoln County times. (Jerome, Idaho) 1911-1919, 1918-01-03

/ Not another word passed between
them till they drew up outside her
door. She felt new dmidlty as he
handed her out, an immense gratitude
for his firm tone and intuitive tact
mo. won't come In, thanks" he de-
rlured. "You have so little time to
rest and get ready for the theater."
You will be there tonight?" she
asked.
lie laughed as If there were humor
In the suggestion of his absence.
"Of counsel
lie slipped in his clutch and drove
off through the rain-gleaming streets
wi h the smile and air of conqueror.
Louise passed into her little house to
find visitor waiting for her there.
-
Eugene, prince Of Seyre, had spent
| HE carly part Of that afternoon In
manner wholly strange to him. In pur-
suance of an order given to his major
| lo..o Immediately on his return from
his club after lunch, the great recep-
ton rooms Of Seyre House, the picture
gallery and the ballroom were pre-
pared as If for a reception. Dust-sheets
were swept aside, masterpieces of
painting and sculpture were uncovered,
the soft brilliance of concealed electric
| lights lit up many dark corners.
lie was forty-one years old that
day, and the few words which John
had spoken to him barely an hour. ago
had made him realize that there was
only one thing In life that he desired
| The sight of his treasures merely
sco'hed his vanity. 1t left empty and
unsatisted his fuller and deeper de-
| sire of living. He told himself that
his lime had come. Others of his race
had paid great price for the things
tlcy had coveted In life. He, too, must
follow their example.
He was In Louise's drawing-room
when she returned-Louise with hair
and cheeks a little damp, but with q
wonderful light In her eyes and with
footsteps that seemed to fall upon air.
Some tea and a bath this mo-
mcnt, Aline !"sshe called out, as she
ran lightly up the stairs. "Never mind
about dinner, am SO late 1 will
have some toast. Be quick"
"Madame-" Aline began.
Don't bother me about anything
now" Louise interrupted. II will
t''.ow my things off while you get the
bath ready"
She stepped into her little room.
throwing off her cloak as she entered.
lien she stopped short, almost upon
the threshold. The prince had risen
To his feet.
Eugene!
lie came toward her. Even as he
stopped to kiss her fingers, his eyes
seemed to take In her disheveled con-
dition, the little patches Of color in
her cheeks, the radiant happiness
Which shone In her eyes.
81 am not an unwelcome intruder,
I h ape," he said. But how wet you
are -
The fingers which he released fell
nervelessly to her side. She stood
looking at him as If confronted with
sudden nightmare. II was as if this
new-found life were being slowly
drained from her veins.
you are overtired," he murmurcd,
leading her with solicitude toward an
easy chair. "One would imagine, from
your appearance, that l was the bear
er Of some terrible tidings. Let me
assure you that 1t is not So"
He spoke with his usual delibera-
ton, but she seemed powerless to re-
cover herself. She was still duzed
and white. She sank into the chair
and looked at him.
Nothing, I trust" he went on, 'has
happened to disturb your"
Nothing at ALL" she declared hast
lily. II am tired. I ran upstairs per
haps a little too quickly. Aline had
not told me that there was anyone
here"
II had fancy to see you this after
noon," the prince explained, "and,
finding you out, I took the liberty Of
waiting. If you would rather ! went
away and came for you later, please
do not hesitate to say 3d."
"Of course not y she exclaimed. II
do not know why l should have been
SO silly. Aline. take my coat and
VEIL" she directed, turning to the
maid, who was lingering at the other
end of the room. II am not wet.
Serve some tea in here. / will have
my bath later, when change to go to
the theater."
She spoke bravely, but fear was In
her heart. She tried to tell herself
that this visit was a coincidpnce thaf
1t meant nothing, but all the time she
knew otherwise.
The door closed behind Aline, and
they were alone. The prince, as II
anxious to give her time to recover
herself, walked to the window and
stood Tor soma momanta looking out