The Elbert County tribune., 1917-10-26
CHAPTER VII.

N-
The first few minutes that John spent
In Louise's little house were full of
acute and vivid interest. The room
that he was so eagerly studying con-
firmed his cloudy Impressions of US
owner. There was, for a woman's
apartment. curious absence of ornn-
mentatlon and knickknacks. The walls
we're black and white; the carpet was
white; the furniture graceful in its
outline, rather heavy In build and Gov
cred with old-rose colored chints.
There were water-colors upon the wall,
some small black-nnd-white fantasies,
puzzlIng to John, who had never even
heard the term futurist. A table, drawn
up to the side of one of the easy chairs,
wns covered with books and magazines,
some Italian, few English, the great
er part French; and upon smaller
pne, close at hand, stood white bowl
tuI 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
from under the canopy of apple-blos-
som. His henrt began to bent with
pleasure even before the opening of
the door announced her presence. She
snme in with Sophy, who Mt once seat
ed herself by his side.
"We 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 this EVENING""
mot until three weeks next Mon
day." she replied "Then. If you are
good, and the production Is not post
poned. you may seat yourself In box
and make all the noise you like after
the fall of the curtain. These are real
holidays for me- except for the null
sance of rehearsals. You couldn't have
come Mt better time"
Sophy glanced at the clock.
"Well," she said, II must show my
respect to that most ancient of adages
BY taking my departure. feel"
"You will do nothing of the sort,
.hild," Louise interrupted. II want to
interest you in the evolution of Mr..
Strangewey. We must remember that
It is his first night In London. What
aspect of it shall we attempt to show
him? Don't say word, Sophy. 1t is
not for us to choose"
Pm afraid there isn't any choice"
John declared, his face falling. II
haven't any clothes except what you
see me In"
"Hoorayw Sophy exclaimed. "Of
ovftb va,,r smart unxyp Tnntcat We'll
be splendidly Bohemian. You shalt put
on your black frock and a black hat,
and powder your nose, and we'll all go
to Guido's first and drink vermuth.
can't look the part, but can act It'll"
''But tell me-" Louise asked him,
sdid you lose your lu5gage?"
"I brought none." he answered.
They both looked at him-Sophy po-
iitely curious, Louise more deeply in
terested.
you mean,r Louise demanded, "thnt
nfter waiting all these months you
started away upon impulse like that
without even letting your brother know
or bringing any luggngeY
That's exactly what did," John
agreed, smiling. 81 had sovereign In
my pocket when / had bought my
ticket. The Joke of it was" he went
on, joining in the girls laughter. shat
Mr.. Appleton has been worrying me
for months to come up and talk over
reinvestments, and take control of the
money my uncle left me; and when l
came at last. / arrived like pauper.
He went out himself and bought my
shirt"
"And very nice shirt, too" Sophy
declared, glancing at the pattern. DO
tell us what else happened"
"well. not much more" John re-
piled. ''Mr. Appleton stuffed me full
of money and made me take n little
suite of rooms at what he called a
more fashionable hotel. lie stayed TO
lunch with me, and have promised to
see him on business tomorrow morn
ing"
The two girls sat up and wiped their
eyes.
"Oh, this is wonderful adventure
you have embarked uponl" Louise ex-
claimed. 'sYou have come quite In the
right spirit. 1t is your first night here.
Mr. Strangewey. so / warn you that
Sophy is the most irresponsible and
espricious Of all my friends"