The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1917-10-05


these wretched bills while Mr.. Strange
wey talks to me-"
Sophy came suddenly across the
room and sank on the floor at LOuise's
feet.
"What are you going to do about Mr..
Strangewey, Loulse7" she asked wist-
fully.
"What am l going to do about hlm2"
''He is In love with yOu," SOphy con-
tlnued. II am sure-I am almost sure
OF IT,"
Louise's laugh was uncOnvlncing.
"You foolish child !" she exclaimed.
II believe that you have been worry
ing. Why do you think so much about
other peOple?"
"Please tell me-" Sophy begged. 81
want to understand how things really
are between you and John Strangewey.
Are you in love with hlm?"
Loulse's eyes were soft and dreamy.
II wish l knew" she answered. IF
l am, then there are things in life
more wonderful than 1 have ever
dreamed of. He doesn't live in our
world-and our world, as you know,
has It's grip. He knows nothing about
my art, and you can guess what life
would be to me without that. What
future could there be for him and for
me together? l cannot remake my
self"
There was something In Sophy's face
that was almost like wonder.
$50 this is the meaning of the
change In you, Louise! l knew that
something had happened. You have
seemed so different for the last few
months"
Louise nodded.
"LOndon has never been the same
! place to me since / first met him in
Cumberland" she admitted. Some
times think l am-tO use your own
wOrds-in love with John. Sometimes
feel 1t is just queer, indistinct, but
passionate appreciation of the abstract
beauty of the life he seems to stand
| for"
as he really so good, 1 wonder?"
oOpHy uSheu peuSlNely.
81 do not know" Louise sighed. 81
only know that when l first talked to
him, he seemed different from any
man l have ever spoken with in my
| life. l suppose there are few temp
tatiOns up there, and they keep nearer
to the big things. Sometimes l Won
der, Sophy, if it was not very wrong
of me to draw him away from it all !"
Rubbish" Sophy declared. "If he
is good, he can prove it and know it
here. He will come to know the truth
about himself. Besides, it isn't every
thing to possess the standard virtues.
Louise, he will be here in minute.
You want to be left alone with him.
What are you going to say when he
asks you what you know he will ask
you?"
Louise looked down at her.
Dear" she said, II wish l could
tell you. do not know. That is the
strange, troublesome part of it-I do
not knOw!
"Will you promise me something's?
Sophy begged. promise me that if l
stay in here quietly until after he has
gone, you will come and tell mew
Louise leaned little downward as
if to look into her friends face. Sophy
suddenly dropped her eyes, and the
color rose to the roots of her hair |
There was knock at the door, and the |
parlor maid entered.
"Mr. Strangewey, madam" she an
nOunced.
Louise looked at John curiOusly as
she greeted him. His face showed few |
signs of the struggle through which he
had passed, but the grim setting of his
brother. He had lost, too, something
of the boyishness, the simple light |
heartedness of the day before. In
stinctlvely she felt that the battle had
begun. She asked him nothing about
the supper party, and Sophy, quick to
follow her lead, also avoided the sub
ject.
Luncheon was not lengthy meal,
and Immediately its service was con-
cluded, SOphy rose to her feet with a
sigh.
Il must go and finish my work." she
declared. Let me have the den to my
self for at least an hour, please, Lou
Use. 1t will take me longer than that
to muddle through your books"
Louise led the way upstairs into the
cool, white drawing room, with its
fower-perfumed atmosphere and it's
delicate, shadowy air Of repose. She
curled herself up in a corner of the
divan and gave John his coffee. Then
she leaned back and looked at him.
$50 you have really come to London,
Mr.. Countryman"
II have followed you" he answered.
81 think you knew that would.
tried not to-" he went on, after mo-
ment's pause. 81 fought against 1t as
hard as 1 could /; but in the end l had
to give in. came for you"
Louise's capacity for fencing seemed
enfeebled. A frontal attack
of such directness was irresistible. {
For mel" she repeated weakly.
"Of course" he replied. "None of
your arguments would have Brought
me here. If l have desired to under
stand this world at all, it is because it
is your world. 1t is you want-don't ,
you understand that? l thought you ,
would know it from the first moment
you saw mel" {
He was suddenly on his feet. lean
Ing over her, changed man. master
10 CHI, nnnnrnI hnr. lin.