Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1918-01-03
CHAPTER xxi-conunusd.

NUoece, but remember that you live
hsre, aad-"
Don't be siliyI" he interrupted.
what does that matteri And besides,
according to you and all the rest Of
jon here. these things don't affect .
mans reputation--they IRE expected
1t him. See, l have rung the bell for
breakfast. Now I am going to tele-
phone down for a messenger boy to
60 for your clothes"
They breakfasted together, a little
later, and she made him smoke. He
stood before the window. looking down
upon the river, with his pipe in his
mouth and an unfamiliar lock upon
his face.
do you suppose that Louise knows
anything7", he asked at length.
II should think not" she replied.
TT Is for you to tell her. I rang up
the princes house while you were in
the bathroom. They say that he has
b broken rib and some bad cuts. sus-
kained In a motor accident last night,
but that he Is in n danger. There
was nothing about the affair in the
newspapers, and the princes servants
have evidently been instructed to give
this account to inquirers."
A CLEAN Of interest shone In Johns
face.
"By the bye" he remarked, "thc
prince Is a Frenchman. He will very
likely expect me to fight with him."
mo hope of that. my helligerent
friefd," Sophy' declared, with an at
tempt at a smile. "The prince knows
that he Is In England. He would not
b guilty Of such an anachronism. Be-
Dtdes, he is q person Of wonderfully
we'll balanced mind. When he Is him,
self again, he will realize that what
happened to him Is exactly what he
asked for" 5.
John took up his hat and gloves.
he glanced at the clock-it was a lit
tie past eleven.
II am ready" he announced. Let
me drive you home first"
His motor was waiting at the door,
and he left Sophy at her rooms. Be-
tore she got out, she held his arm for
a moment. +'| n r'.-.5. .
"John." she said. remember that
Louise Is very high-strung and very
sensitive. Be CAREFUL" ~
"There is only oae thing to do Of
10 say" he answered. "There Is only
one way in which I can do It."
He drove the car down Piccadllly
IKE q mar In a dream, steering as
carefully as usual through the traffic,
and glancing every now and then with
hnseeing eyes Mt the streams Of PEG.
ole upon the pavements. Finally he
came to a standstill before Louise's
house and stopped the engine with de-
Iiberate care. Then he rang the bell,
and was shown into her little draw.
ng-roon, which seemed to have become
I perfect bower Of pink and white
lilac.
He sat waiting as II In a dream
unable to decide upon his words, un'
able eyen to sift his thoughts. The
a purpose with which he had come
the one question he designed to ask
was burning in his brain. The min
ntes of her absence seemed traglcnlly
long.
Then ut last the door opened anG
Louise entered. She came toward hin
with a little welcoming smile upor
her lips. Her manner was gay, al
most affectionate.
"Have you com to take me for q
ride before lunchY" she asked. I'D
you know, I think that ! should really
like It'll We might lunch at Ranelagf
bn Jul way home"
The words stuck in his throat. From
where she was. she saw now the writ
mg on his face. She stopped short.
"What is III" she exclaimed.
ever since I knew you" he sait
Dlowly, "therc have been odd moments
when I have lived In torture. Durini
The last fortnight. those moments hav'
become hours. Last night the en'
came"
"Are you mad, John?" she demand
ID.
perhaps" he replied. "Listen. WheI
/ left you last night, I went to tn
club In Adelphi Terrace. There was
well.known critic there, comparing yo'
and Latrobe. On the whole he IA
vored YOU but he gave Latrobe tn,
arst place in certain pnrts. Latrobe
he said, had had more experience Il
life. She had had a dozen lovers
you, only one!"
She WINGED. The glad FRESHNESS
seemed suddenly to fade. from he
face. Her eyes became strained. :
"Well9"
II found Gralllot. I cornered him
asked him for the truth about yot
Hs put me Oft with nm evasion.
came down here and looked at you
window. Il was three o'clock In tn
morning. ] dared not come In. A ver
demon Cf unrest was In my blood.
stopped at, the night club on my wa
back. sSSophy was there. 4 asked he
plainly u put me out Of my agon,
She was lite Oraillot. Shs fenced Wit
ue. And thsn-ths prince camel" .
'sTho prince WAS thersI" she IA
tered.
HE came up to tho table whe,
Uophy and ! were sitting. think
~ half mad. poured him 1 giass I
Mn. told him that Jon had prou
Hbc1 % become my wife. He sals(
No. ease-l can aes him nov. 3
IA u, WITH . smile, that y ~ 4