New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1917-09-21
CHAPTER VIII-Continued.

The lights were lowered IL few min
utes later, and John paid the hlll.
"We've enjoyed our Snpl"f,' Louise
whispered, rs they passed down the
room. "The whole eveailg has been
delightful"
As they drove from Luigi's to
KnightSbrldgr, L'iiSe leaned back in
her corner. Aftiiough her eyes were
only half closed. there was AN air Of
alo0fncSS Shout her. an obvious lack Of
desire for COZ versation, which the 9TH
ers found themselves inStlnctivcly re-
speeding. Even Sophy's light-hcarted
chatter seemed to have deserted her,
somewhat to 'ohn's relief.
They were In the very vortex OF
LondOn's midnight traffic. Thu night
was warm for the time of year, n
about Leicester square and beyond the
paves,cnts were crowded with pedcS-
trians. the women lightly and gayly
clad, :litting, notwithstanding some sin
lister note about their movements, like
butterflies or bright-hued moths along
the tnvements and across the streets.
The procession Of taXicnbs and auto
mobiles, each with It's human freight
Of IEcn and ONE in evening dress on
thelr way nome after an evenings
pleasure, seemed endless.
Presently Sophy began to talk, and
LOIisc, too reused herself.
NJ am only just beginning to realize"
the latter said, that you are actually
in London"
"Whcn | leave you" he replied, 81,
too, shall find 1t hard to believe that
we have actually met again and talked.
There seems to he so much that ! have
to say" he added, looking at her close
ly. "nnd | have said nothing"
"There is plenty of time she told
hitl, and once more the signs of that
slight ~ous were apparent III
her There are weeks and
months ahead of us"
"When shall l see you again?" he
asked.
"Whcnevcr you like. There are no re-
henrsals for Il day or two. Ring me up
on the telephone-you Will ma my
number in the book-Or come and lunch
with me tomorrow, if you like"
THANK YOU" he answered; "that Is
tust what | should like. AT what time?'
"Ilnlf past one. | will not ask either
Of you to come in now. You can CONT
down tomorrow morning and get the
books, Sophy. l think l am tired
tired" she added, with Il curious little
note of sclf-pity in her tone. Il am
very glad to have seen you again, Mr..
~Strangewey,' she said, lifting her eyes
to his. Good night"
He helped her out, rang the bell, and
watched her vanish through the swift
~ opened door. Then he stepped bach
into the taxicab. Sophy retreated into
the corner to make Don for him.
"You are going to take me home. are
you not?" she asked.
'Of course" he replied, his eyes still
fixed with Il shade of regret upon the
closed door of LOuiSe's little house.
"No. 10 Southampton street" he told
the driver.
They turned round and spun once
more into the network of moving We
hIcles and streaming pedestrians. John
was silent, and his companion, for II
little while, humorpd him. Soon, how
ever, she touched him on the arm. A
queer gravity had come into her dainty
little face.
"Arc you really in love with Lou
ise?" she inquired. with something of
his own directness.
He answered her with perfect seri-
business.
81 believ so" he admitted, but |
should not like to say that | am abso-
lutely certain. I have come here to
find out"
Sophy suddenly rocked with laugh
ter.
"You are the dearest. queerest mad
mai | have ever met" she exclaimed,
holding tightly to his arm. "You sit
there with a face as long as n fiddle.
wondering whether you are in love
with a girl or not! Well, | am not GO
ing to ask you anything more. Tell me.
are you tired?'
"Not q bit" he declared. 81
had such n ripping evening in my life."
She held bis arm a little tighter. She
was the old Sophy again, full of life
and gs?ety.
Lets go to the A~ldwych," she sug-
gested, land see the dancing. We can
lust have something to drink. We
needn't have any more supper"
The cab stopped a few minutes later
outside what seemed to be a private
house. The door was opened at once.
Sophy wrote Johns name In n book,
and they were ushered by the manager,
who had come forward to greet them.
into a long room. brilliantly lit. and
filed, except In the center, with sup
per tables. John looked around him
wonderingly. The popping of cham
payne corks was almost incessant. A
slightly voluptuous atmosphere Of
cigarette smoke. mingled with the per
Sumes shaken from the clothes and