The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1917-11-16

| II . just d young udH III Ddlu. hs
is lawyer and moderately well off
He has wanted me to marry him fol
years. He was a friend of my broth
er's. Lately he has been bothering 6
| little more than usual-in fact, I sup
pose / have received what might BIZ
called an ultimatum. He came up yes
terday, and I went out with him last
night. He has gone back to Bath this
morning, and I have promised to lei
| him know in month. l think that is
why I went out to Waterloo bridge in
macintosh and got wet"
"Do you like him?" John asked prac
| ticaIly.
81 like him, I suppose" Sophy sighed
'"That's the worst of it. If / didn't like
him, there might be some chance.
can't realize myself ever doing more
than liking him in a mild sort of way
and If he expected more, as of course
he would, then I should probably hate
him. He tried to kiss me on the way
to the station, and I nearly scratched
him. That isn't like me, you know. j
rather like being kissed sometimes"
John buried himself in the wine-list.
WELL" he admitted, sit doesn't
sound very hopeful. I'm no sort of
judge In these matters, but / have
heard lots of people say that one gets
on all right after marriage without car
ing very much before. You don't seem
to have very comfortable life now,
do you?"
comfortable? No, but 7 am Free
Sophy replied quickly. 81 can come in
and go out when I please, choose my
own friends. It's rather fine to be
here, you know-to be in the atmos-
phere, even if the Hmelight misses
one."
John sighed, and regarded her
thoughtfully.s you're a queer little
girl, Sophy,"' he said. 'T don't know
how to advise you"
"Of course you DON'T" she answered.
mo one could. AS for you. suppose
you will marry Louise. What will hap
pen to you after that, I don't know.
Perhaps I sha'n't care so much about
London then. You've made it very nice
for me, you know"
you've made it bearable even for
me-" he told her. 81 often think how
lonely should have been without you
to talk to. Louise sometimes is de-
lightfully companionable, and kind
enough to turn ones head. Other days
1 scarcely understand her; everything
we say to one another seems wrong.
I come away and leave her simply be-
cause feel that there is a wall be-
tween us that can't get over.'
'There isn't really" Sophy sighed.
Louise is dear. Considering every
thing, I think she is wonderful. But
you are utterly different. She is very
complex, very emotional, and she has
her own standards of life. You, on the
other hand, are very simple, very faith
full and honest, and you accept the
standards which have been made for
you-very, very rigidly, John. What
are you looking at?"
Johns whole expression had sudden
ly changed. His eyes were fixed upon
the door, his face was stern as a gran
lite block. Sophy turned quickly
The maitre d'hotel, with an
other satellite in his rear, was welcom-
ing with much ceremony two lately ad-
rived guests. Sophy clutched at the
tablecloth. The newcomers were Lou
lse and the prince of Seyre.
Il don't understand this p John NUT
tered, his lips twitching.
Sophy Gerard said nothing. Her
cheeks were pink with excitement.
Suddenly Louise saw John and So |
ply. She stood quite still for a mo-
ment; then she came toward them,
slowly and a little languidly. The |
prince was still studying through his |
eyeglass the various tables which the |
head waiter was Offering for his con-
sideration.
what an astonishing meeting"
Louise remarked, as she laid her hand
,or a moment on Sophy's shoulder.
What IS going on behind my back"
John rose very slowly to his feet. He
taller than ever, and Louise's
mile remained unanswered.
1.-THE rain broke up my weekend
,arty," he explained, land met Sophy
n the Strand. In any case, intended
eturning tonight. I understood that
'ou would not be here until tomorrow
bout eleven o'clock.
Those were my plans" Louise re-
lied; but, as you see, other things
ave interviewed. Our little house
arty, too, was broken up by this abom-
1able weather, and we all motored up
D town. The Faradays have gone
ONE. The prince heard from Miles
hat I was at home, and telephoned
lie to dine. Me voici!"
John was struggling with a crowd of
ateful thoughts. Louise was wearing
wonderful gown; her hair was beau
fully arranged; she had the air of
woman whose toilet was complete .
nd perfect down to the slightest de-
Ill. The princes slow drawl reached ,
lem distinctly
"It was my servants fault, / sup $
,se," he said. 81 told him to ring up {
st night and order the table for two :
that corner. However, we will take s
10 vacant apo roor yo,,r. dash