The Ordway new era., 1917-12-28
CHAPTER VII.

The first few minutes that John Spsai
In Louise's little house were full oi
acute and vivid interest. The room
that he was so eagerly studying con
firmed his cloudy impressions of It's
owner. There was, for a woman's
apartment, a curious absence of orna,
mentntion and knickknacks. The walls
we're black and white; the carpet was
white; the furniture graceful in Its
outline, rather heavy in build, and cov-
cred with old-rose colored chints.
There were water-colors upon the wall,
some small black-and-white fantasies,
puzzling to John. who had never even
heard the term futurist. A table, drawn
No to the side of one of the easy chairs,
was covered with books and magazines,
pome Italian, a few English, the great
sr part French; and upon a smaller
sne, close at hand, stood white bowl
hull Of pink roses. Their odor was
somehow reminiscent Of Louise, Curl
,usiy sweet and wholesome-an odor
which suddenly took him back to the
morning when she had come to him
hom under the canopy Of apple-blos-
som. His heart began to beat with
pleasure even before the opening OF
he door announced her presence. She
zane in with Sophy, who at once seat
I'd herself by his side.
ave have been making plans Lou
be 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 his EVENING""
"Not until three weeks next Mon
aay," she replied. "Then, If you are
good, and the production is not post
poned, you may seat yourself in box
md make all the noise you like after
the fall of the curtain. These are real
holidays for NE, except for the nui-
sance of rehearsals. You couldn't have
come at better time"
Sophy glanced at the clock.
Swell," she said. 81 must show my
~ taking my departure. feel"
"You will do nothing of the sort.
:hild," Louise interrupted. 81 want to
interest you in the evolution Of Mr.
5trangewey. We must remember that
Il is his first night in London. What
aspect Of 1t shall we attempt to show
him? Don't say word, Sophy. 1t is
aot for us to choose"
"rm afraid there isn't any choice"
yohn declared, his face falling. Il
haven't any clothes except what you
zee me in"
"Hoorayl" Sophy exclaimed. "Os
With your smart gown, Louise! Well
De splendidly Bohemian You shall put
on your black frock and a black hat
and powder your nose, and we'll all GO
to Guido's first and drink verrnuth. 1
can't look the part, but can act it,"
'But tell me-" Louise asked him.
did you lose your lu ygageT
Il brought none" he answered.
They both looked at him-Sophy po-
titely curious, Louise more deeply in
terested.
'.You mean.- Louise demanded. that
after waiting all these months you
started away upon impulse like that
without even letting your brother know
or bringing any Iuggage?'
that's exactly what did" John
agreed. smiling. Il had sovereign in
my pocket when had bought my
ticket. The joke of it was" he went
on, joining in the girls laughter, that
Nr. Appleton has been worrying me
for months to come up and talk over
reinvestments, and tnke 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 a very nice shirt, too" Sophy
declared, giancing at the pattern. 'De
til ~ what else happened"
sWeH, not much more" John re
paisd. ~llr. Appleton stuffed me full
a money and made me take little
aufta n rooms at what he called
6oce fashionable hotel He stayed t.
- with me, and have promised Il
- Aim On business tomorrow morn
h = { sus strss at up and wiped theil
- u . wond9ful adveutur'
;Iiix - aAaxEeld uponr Iquiss a
sIea have eone qutte q -
. ms yegr Ant night hers
1l1 yisly - a wa1n ". g - I.