The Ordway new era., 1918-01-25

1AeLe IS NO secret ABOUT II SO lar
as l am concerned" John answered.
1T is Louise Maurel. 1 thought you
must have guessed
The two men looked at each other
In silence for sumo moments. Out on
the river little tug was hooting Wig
orously. The roar of the Strand came
family into the room. On the mantel-
piece a very ornate French clock was
ticking lightly. All these sounds
seemed suddenly occentuated. They
beat time TO a silence almost tragical
in its Intensity.
Graillot took out ss handkerchief
and dabbed his forehead. He had writ
ten many plays, and the dramatic in
stinct was strongly developed in him.
foulseI" he muttered under his
breath.
-She is very different, I know" John
went on, after a moments hesitation.
she is very clever and a great artist.
and she lives in an atmosphere Of
which, few months ago, knew moth
ing. I have come up here to Try to
understand, to Try to get little nearer
to her"
There was another silence, this time
almost an awkward one. Then Grail
lot rose suddenly TO his feet
Il will respect your confidence he
promised, holding out his hand
Have no fear of that I an due now
at the theater- Your tea is excellent.
and such little cakes never tasted be-
fore"
You will wish me good luck?-
"Nol-
"why not?- John demanded. a little
startled.
Because" Graillot pronounced.
from what have seen and know of
you both. there are no two people in
this world less suitable for each other"
Look here" John expostulated. Il
You don't understand what this means
to me-
Perhaps not, my friend,r Grafrot
replied. but remember that 1t is at
least my trade TO understand men and
women. 1 have known Louise Mau-
rel since she was child"
Then 1t is whom you don't IN
derstand"
THAT may be So" GraiIlot confessed
-one makes mistakes. Let US leave
II at that. You are a young man OF
undeveloped temperament You may
be capable of much which at present
1 do not find in you"
Tell me the one quality In which
you consider me most lacking John
begged. Il want you on my side, Grail
lot"
And l." GraiRot replied, as he shook
his friends hand and hurried OF,
want only to be on the side that viii
mean happiness for you both
He left the room a little abruptly.
John walked back to the window. op-
pressed with q sense of something
almost onlnous in the Frenchman's
manner, something which he could no;
fathom, against which he struggled in
vain Side by side with 1t. there
surged into his memory the Dispute
tude which his present relations with
Louise had developed. She was always
charming when she had any time to
! sIsare-somefimes almost affectionate.
On the other hand, he was profoundly
conscious Of her desire TO keep him
at arms length for the present
he had accepted her decision with
out q murmur. BE made hut few ef-
forts to see her alone, and when they
met he made no special claim upon
her notice. He was serving his appren-
ticeship dogEedly and faithfully. Yet
there Were times Ike the present when
he found his task both hateful and diff
fcuit-
He walked aimlessly backward and
forward, chatting against the restraint
OF the narrow walls and the low cell.
ing. A sudden desire had seized him
to fly back TO the hills, wreathed in
mist though they might be; to struggle
on his way through the binding rain,
to drink down long gulps OF his own
purer. less civilized atmosphere
The telephone bell rang. He placed
the receiver to his ear almost me
chanically.
who Is itY' he asked
Lady HIlda Mulloch Is asking fol-
you. sir" the hall porter announced.
Lady Hilda peered around John.
room through her lorgnette, and die
not hesitate to express her dissatisfac
don.
| NY dear man." she exclaimed