The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1917-10-19
CHAPTER VII.

~ CHAPTER VII
-
The first few minutes that John spen
I'm Losiise's little house were full OF
acute and vivid interest. The room
chat te was SO eagerly studying con
frmed his cloudy impressions or Its
owner. There was, for woman'S
apartment, a curious absence Of orna
mentation and knickknacks. The walls
were black and white; the carpet was
white: the furniture graceful in Its
outline. rather heavy In build, and Gov
cred with old-rose colOred chints
There were water-cOlOfS upon the wall
some small blaci-andwhite fantasies
puzziing to John, who had never even
heard the term futurist. A table, drawn
up to the side of one of the easy chairs,
was covered with books and magazines,
some Italian. Il few English, the great
er part French; and upon Il smaller
one. close at hand, stood a white bowl
full of pink roses. Their Odor was
somehow reminiscent of Louise, curl
cusiy sweet and whOlesonfe--an OdOr
SuuuCutf etooh p<tSh ~ tuC
morning when she had come to him
from under the canopy of apple-blos-
som. His heart began to beat with
pleasure even before the opening of
the door announced her presence. She
came in with Sophy, who at once seat
ed herself by his side.
1--WE have been making Plans" Lou
Use declared, 'fOr dispOsing of you for
the rest Of the day."
John smiled happily.
you're not sending me away, then
You're not acting this EVENING"
"Not until three weeks next Mon
day." she replied. "Then. if you are
good, and the production is not post
poned, you may seat yourself in box
and make all the noise you like after
the fall of. the curtain. These are real
holidays for me, except for the nui-
sance of rehearsals. You couldn't have
come at better time"
Sophy glanced at the clock.
"Weli," she said, II must show my
respect to that most ancient of adages
by taking my departure. feel"
You will do nothing Of the sort.
ci,ild," Louise interrupted. II want to
interest you in the evolution of MIR.
Strangewey. We must remember that
1t is his first night in London. What
aspect of it shall we attempt to show
him? Don't say word. SOphy. 1t is
not Tor us to choose"
I'm afraid there isn't any choice"
John declared. his face falling. Il
haven't any clothes except what you
see me in"
"Hooray!" Sophy exclaimed. "Off
with your smart gown, Louise! Wen
be splendidly Bohemian. You shall put
on your black frock and black hat.
and powder your nose, and Wen all so
20 Guido's first and drink vermuth. l
can't look the part, but can act it!'
sBut tell me-" Louise asked him,
Ibid you lose your luggage"
81 brought none," he answered.
They both looked at him--Sophy po-
ltteiy curious, Louise more deeply in
terested.
"You mean," Louise demanded. shat
after waiting all these months you
started away upon impulse like that
without even letting your brother know
= or bringing any iuggage?'
'rThat's exactly what l did," John
agreed. smiling. II had sovereign In
my pocket when L had bought my
dcket. The joke Of it was" he went
on. joining in the girls laughter, shat
DIR. Appleton has been worrying me
for months to come up and talk over
Refreshments, and take control of the
money my uncle left me; and when
came at last, I arrived like pauper.
He went out himself and bought my
shirt"
"And q very nice shirt, too" Sophy
declared, glancing ut the pattern. do
tell US what else happened!"
SWELL. not much MORE" John re-
piled. "Mr. Appleton stuffed me full
Of money and made me take little
suite Of rooms at what he called a
more fashionable hotel. He stayed to
lunch with me, and have promised to
see him on business tomorrow morn
Ing"
The two girls sat up and wiped their
eyes.
"Oh, this Is a wonderful adventure
you have embarked upon!" Louise ex.
claimed. "You have come quite In the
right spirit. 1t Is your first night here
Mr.. Strangewey, so warn you that
Sophy is the most irresponsible and
eapricious of all my frieilda."
Sophy made a grimace.
''Mr. Strangewey." she begged ear.
nestly, you won't believe word she
says, will you? All my life / have
been looking for single and stead
fast attachment. Of course, If Louise
wants to monopolize you, shall fall
into the background, as usually do
but If you think that ana going to &C
cept hints and let you go out to dinner
alone, you are very much mistaken
Tonight, at any rate.'I insist upon com
ing!"
Louise shook her head.
"We shall have to put up with her,
she told John with little grimace.