The Kadoka press and Kadoka reporter. [volume] (Kadoka, S.D.) 1910-1923, 1917-10-05

voice little broken. "You want me
really? l am to Gomez"
81 am sure" he answered steadfast-
ly. 81 shall expect you at eight
o'clock !"
John went back to his rooms fighting
all the time against sense of unreal
ity, sense almost Of lost Identity.
He bought an evening newspaper ana
read 1t on the way. He talked 10
the hall porter, he talked to neigh
Dor with whom he ascended In the
lift-he did everything except think.
In his rooms he telephoned to the
restaurant for a waiter, and with the
menu in his hand few minutes later,
he ordered dinner. Then he glanced
M his watch-it was barely seven
o'clock. He went down to the barber
shop. was shaved and had his hair cut,
encouraging the barber all the while
| TO talk to him. He gave his hands
over to a manicure. and did his best
| to talk nonsense to her. Then he came
upstairs again. changed his clothes
with great care, and went into his
! little sitting room.
1t was five minutes to eight, and
dinner had been laid at little round
table in the center of the room. There
was a bowl of pink roses-Sophys IA
vorite flOwer-sent in from the for
lists: the table was lighted by pink
shaded lamp. John went around the
1,n OIL n
til the apartment was hung with shad-
ows save for the little spot of color
in the middle. An unopened bottle or
champagne stood in an ice-pail, and
two specially prepared cocktails had
been placed upon the little side table.
/ There were no more preparations to be
made.
He turned impatiently away from
the window and glanced at the clock
1t was almost eight. He tried to imag-
inc that the bell was ringing. that So
ply was standing there on the thresh'
old in her simple but dainty evening
dress. with little smile parting her
lips. The end Of it all He pulled
down the blind No more Of the win
dow. no more looking out at the lights
no more living in the clouds! 1t was
time, indeed that he lived as other
men. He lifted one of the glasses tC
his lips and drained its contents.
Then the bell rang. He moved for
ward to answer its summons WIFI
beating heart. AS he opened 1t, he re
cpiyed a shock. A messenger boy stoot
outside. He took the note which th'
bow handed him and tore 1t open undel
a larup. There were only a few lines
John. my heart is breaking. but know
you do not mean what you said. know
It was only a moment Of madness Wit
you. I know you will love Louise all you
life. and will bless me all your life be
cause I am giving up the one thing whic
could make my life a paradise. 1 sha
be in the train when you read this. on m
way to Bath. l have wired my youn
man. as you cali him, to meet me. l ar
going to ask him to marry me, II he will
next week.
Good-by, I give you no advice. Som
day I think that life will right itself wit
you. sofhi l.
, The letter dropped upon the tabl'
John stood for q moment dazed. SUE
, denly he began to laugh. Then he r.
membered the messenger boy, CAV
1 him half a crown. and closed the doc
He came back into the room and too
1 his place at the table. He looked
a the empty chair by his side, looked
the full glass on the sideboard.
e seemed to him that he was past
s sensations. The waiter came in
l. lently.
:. "You can serve the dinner" John
g dered, shaking out his napkin. "Opt
y the champagne before you co.
r "You will be alone, sirT the ms
inquired.
i! 81 shall be alone" John answered.