The Ordway new era., 1918-01-04
CHAPTER TX.

Johns first caller at the Milan was,
In way, a surprise to him. He was
sitting smoking an after-breakfast
pipe on the following morning. and
gazing at the telephone directory, when
his bell rang. He opened the door, to
find the prince of Seyre standing out
side.
~ pay you very early visit, fear"
the latter began.
mot at ALL" John replied, taking the
pipe from his mouth and throwing
open the door. "It Is very good Of you
to come and see me-"
The prince followed John into the
little sitting room. He was dressed. as
usual, with scrupulous care. His tie
was fastened with wonderful pearl,
and his fingers were perhaps trifie
overmanicured. He wore bunch of
Parma violets in his buttonhole, and he
carried with him very faint but un-
usual perfume, which seemed to John
like the odor of delicate green tea.
1t was just these details. and the slow
ness of his speech, which alone ac-
centuated his foreign origin.
SIT occurred to me-" he said, as he
seated himself in an easy chair, that
If you are really intending to make this
experiment In town life of which Miss
Maurel spoke, 1 might be of some as
sistance to you. There are certain
matters, quite unimportant in them
selves, concerning which little ad-
vice in the beginning may save you
trouble"
"very good Of yen, I am sure" John
repeated. ITO tell you the truth, 1
was just looking through the telephone
directory to see If I could come across
the name Of tailor used to have
some things FROM"
"If 1t pleases you to place yourself
in my hands," the prince suggested. II
will introduce you to my own trades
people. have made the selection with
idle morning, and 1t is entirely at your
disposal. At half past one believe
we are both lunching with Miss Maui
rel"
John was conscious Of a momentary
sense of annoyance. His tete-a-tete
with Louise seemed farther off than
ever. At the princes suggestion, how
ever, he fetched his hat and gloves and
entered the formers automobile, which
was waiting below.
They spent the morning in the neigh
borhood of Bond street, and John had
the foundations of wardrobe more
extensive than any he had ever
dreamed of possessing. At half past
one they were shown into Louise 8
little drawing room. There were three
or four men already present, standing
around their hostess and slipping some
faint yellow cordial from long Vene-
tian glasses.
Louise came forward to meet them,
and made little grImace as she re-
marked the change in Johns appear
nnce.
"Honestly. don't know you, and I
don't believe like you ut all |" she ex-
claimed. slow dare you transform
yourself into tailor's dummy in this
fashion,"
at was done entirely out of respect
for you," John said.
"In fact" the prince added, tive con-
sidered that we had achieved rather
success"
Il suppose must look upon your ef-
fort as compliment" Louise sighed,
"but 1t seems queer to lose even SO
much of you. Shall you take up our
manners and our habits, Mr.. Strange
wey, as easily as you wear our
clothes?"
"That cannot PROMISE" he replied.
"The brain should adapt itself at
least us readily as the body" the
prince remarked.
NJ. Gralllot, who was one of the three
men present, turned around.
"Who is talking platitudes?" he de-
manded. II write plays, and that is
my monopoly. All, 1t is the prince. l
see! And our young friend who inter-
rupted us at rehearsal yesterday"
Graillot held out his left hand to the
prince and his right to John.
"Mr. Strangewey," he snid, "I con-
gratulate you'll Any person who has
the good fortune to interest Miss Maui
rel is to be congratulated. Yet must
look at you and feel myself puzzled.
You nre not an artist-no? You do
not paint or writer
John shook his head.
"Mr. Strangewey's claim to distinc-
tion is that he is just an ordinary
man." Louise observed. "Such n relief,
you know, after all you clever people r.
John shook hands with everybody
and slipped the contents of the glass
which had been handed to him. Then
! butler opened the door and an.