The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1918-01-12


/ may say II in my own way and In my
own atmosphere"
"This Is like your Louise MUIR
INJURED. "You had to bring me out to
q hilltop, on the dreariest hour Of
wet March afternoon, to tell me
what?"
First Of ALL" John began, 81 will an
swer a question which you have asked
me three times since we started out
this afternoon. You wanted to know
how found out that you were not 60
ing to tea with the prince. Well, here
is the truth: I asked the prince to
change the day Of your visit to him."
Her fine, silky eyebrows came little
closer together.
"You asked him that?' she repeated
| John nodded.
| "And he cOnsented?"
81 will explain" John continued. at
was most unfortunate circumstance
but In the club, after lunch, the subject
Of spending the afternoon came up.
The prince spoke Of an engagement.
He was tied at home, he said, from
four to six. Some Of the men began
to chaff him, and suggested that he
was entertaining some lady friend, his
| latest favorite-well, / dare say you
can imagine the rest" John broke off.
Her fingers played nervously for q
moment with the edge Of the rug. She
drew it higher up.
"Well, when l left your house the
| first time this afternoon, l went
straight back to the prince. l pointed
out to him that after what had been
said as it might become known that
you were his guest of today, it would
be better for him to postpone your
visit. He agreed to do So"
"Was that all that passed between
you?"
Not quite" John replied. "He
asked me what concern 1t was Of mine,
and I told him hoped that some day
you would be my wife"
She sat quite still, looking down
upon the flaring lights. She was filed
with q restless desire to escape, to
start the motor herself, and rush
| through the wet air into London and
safety. And side by side with that
desire she knew that there was moth
| Ing In the world she wanted so much
as to stay Just where she was, and to
hear Just the words she was going to
hear.
$50 much for thatI" John proceeded.
"And now please listen. have brought
you out here because under these con-
| ditions feel more master Of myself
and my thoughts, and of things want
to say to you. Something takes me by
the throat in your little drawing-room.
with its shaded lights, its perfume Of
| flowers. and Its atmosphere Of perfec-
ton. You sit enthroned there like the
queen Of a world l know nothing Of,
and all the time letters and flowers
and flattering invitations are showered
London. The atmosphere there stiles
me, Louise Out here you are woman
and I a man, and those other things
fall away. have tried my best to
come little way into sympathy with
your life. want you now to make up
your mind to come down little way
into minel"
She felt the sudden swapping Of ev-
cry nerve in her body, the passing
away Of all sense Of will or resistance.
She was conscious only Of the little
movement toward him, the Involuntary
yielding Of herself. She lay back in
his arms, and the kisses which closed
her eyes and lips seemed to be work
Ing some strange miracle.
She was in some great empty space,
breathing wonderful things. She was
on the hilltops, and from the heights
she looked down at herself as she had
been-a poor little white-faced puppet,
strutting about an overheated stage. in
O fetid atmosphere Of adulation, with
a brain ardf1cially stimulated, and a
heart growing cold with selflshness.
She pitied herself as she had been.
Then sh opened her eyes with start
Of Joy.
"How wonderful 1t all !" she MUIR
INJURED. "You brought me here to tell
me this?'
"And to hear somethingl" he insist
ed.
Il have tried not to, john" she con-
fessed, amazed at the tremble of her
sweet, low voice. Her words seemed
like the confession of a weeping child.
IT cannot help 1t. do love you! l
have tried not to so hard, but now
now shall not try any more"
They drove quietly down the long
hill and through the dripping streets.
Not another word passed between
them till they drew up outside her
door. She felt new timidity as he
handed her out, an immense gratitude
for his firm tone and intuitive tact.
mo, I won't come In, thanks" he de-
clared. "You have SO little time to
rest and get ready for the theater."
"You will be there tonight" she
asked.
He laughed as If there were humor
in the suggestion Of bis absence.
"Of coursel"
He slipped In his clutch and drove
of through the rain-gleaming streets
with the smile and air Of conqueror.