The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1918-01-05

either to marry your young man down
at Bath, or to have sweetheart OF
your own, companion, some one
quite different"
How different?"
Someone who cared for you as you
deserve to be cared for, and whom
you cared for, too"
II cannot take these things as light
~ as I used to-" she answered little
sadly. "SOmething has come over me
lately-I don't know what it iS-but
1 seem to have lost my taste for fir
tations. John, don't look up, don't
| turn roundl I have been afraid OF
| the prince all the evening. When you
came in, l fancied that you had been
drinking. When the prince asked me
something about you, an hour or so
ago, knew that he had. I saw him
like it once before, about year ago.
Don't take any notice of him! Don't
talk to him, if you can at all help it J"
Toward their table the prince was
slowly making his way, skilfully avoid
I ing the dancers, yet looking neither
to the right nor to the left. His eyes
were fastened upon John. If he had
been drinking, as Sophy suggested,
there were few signs of it. His walk
was steady; his bearing, as usual, de-
liberate and distinguished.
He came to q standstill beside them.
Sophys fingers clutched at the table
cloth. The prince looked from one to
the other.
"You have robbed me Of guest,
Mr.. Strangewey," he remarked; "but L
bear you no ill-will. 1t Is very seldom
that one sees you in these haunts OF
dissipation"
at is a gala night with me-" John
replied, his tone raised no more than
usual but shaking with some new
quality. Drink q glass of wine with
me. prince" he invited, taking the
bottle from the ice-pail and filling
lumber upon the table. "Wish me
luck. won't you? I am engaged to
be married"
81 wish you happiness with all my
heart" the prince answered, holding
his glass up. May l not know the
name of the lady?"
"No doubt you are prepared for the
news" John told him. Miss Maurel
has promised to become my wife,"
The princes hand was as steady as
a rock. He raised his glass to his lips.
81 drink to you both with the great
| hn cot .I06n
full in the face. at is most remark
able coincidence. Tonight is the an
niversary of the night when Louise
Maurel pledged herself to me-"
| Johns frame seemed for moment
TO dilate, and fire flashed from his
eyes.
evil you be good enough to explain
those words?" he demanded.
The prince bowed. He glanced to-
ward Sophy.
"Since you insist!' he replied. TO
night, then, let me tell you, is the an
niversary of the night when Louise
Maurel consented to become my
What followed came like thunder
clap. The prince reeled back, his hand
to his mouth, blood dropping upon the
tablecloth from his lips, where John
had struck him. He made sudden
spring at his assailant. Sophy, Shrek
: ing, leaped to her feet. Everyone
else In the place seemed paralyzeC
with wonder.
John seized the prince by the throat
: and held him for a moment at arm;
length Then he lifted him off his fee
: as one might lift child from TIL
floor. Holding his helpless victim il
: a merciless grip, he carried him across
! the room and deliberately flung hin
over the table toward his empty chair
} Sophy held John by the arm, clutch
ing 1t Historically. striving to draj