The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1917-09-21
CHAPTER VIIl-continued.

The lights were lowered a few min
utes later, and John paid the bill.
"We've enjoyed our supper" Louis
whispered, MS they passed down tn
room. "The whole evening has bee
delightful !"
AS they drove from Lulgi's +
ightsbridge, Louise leaned back II
her corner. Although her eyes wer
only half closed, there was an air o
HlOOfness about her, an obvious lack o
desire for conversation, which the 9th
ers found themselves instlnctively re
specting. Even SOphy's light-hearteC
chatter seemed to have deserted her
somewhat to Johns relief.
They were in the very vortex O
LOndon's midnight traffic. The nigh
was warm for the time of year, ant
about Leicester square and beyond the
pavements were crowded with pedes
trians, the women lightly and gayly
clad, fitting, Notwithstanding some sin
lister note about their movements, like
butterflies or brlght-hued moths along
the pavements and across the streets
The procession Of taXicabs and auto.
mobiles, each with its human freight
Of men and women in evening dress on
their way home after an evenings
pleasure, seemed endless.
Presently Sophy began to talk, and
Louise, too reused herself.
81 am only just beginning to realize,
the latter said, that you are actually
In London"
"When | leave you" he replied, 81,
too, shall find it hard to believe that
we have actually met again and talked.
There seems to be so much that have
to say" he added, looking at her close
ly, "and have said nothing"
"There is plenty of time" she told
him, and once more the signs of that
slight nervousness were apparent in
her manner. "There are weeks and
months ahead of u.s."
"When shall see you again?" he
asked
whenever you like. There are no re-
hearsals for a day or two. Ring me up
on the telephone-yOp will find my
number in the bOok--Or come and lunch
with me tomorrow, if you like"
"Thank you" he answered; that is
Just what should like. At what timer"
"Half past one. l will not ask either
of you to come In now. You can come
down tomorrow morning and get the
books, Sophy. think 1 am tired
tired" she added, with q curious little
note of self-plty in her tone. 81 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
ly opened door. Then he stepped back
into the taxicab. Sophy retreated into
the corner to make room for him.
"You are going to take me home, are
you not?" she asked.
"Of course" he replied his eyes still
fixed with a 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 a
little while, humored him. Soon, how
ever, she touched him on the arm. A
queer gravity had come into her dainty
little face.
"Are you really in love with Lou
iseF' she inquired, with something of
his own directness.
lie answered her with perfect seri- |
BUSINESS.
"I believe so," he admitted, "but / |
should not like to say that l am absO-
lutely certain. l have come here to
find out"
Sophy suddenly rocked with laugh
ter.
you are the dearest, queerest mad
man have ever met !" she exclaimed,
holding tightly to his arm. "You sit
there with a face as long as u fiddle,
whether you are In love
with girl or not Well, am not GO
ing to ask you anything more. Tell me,
are you tired|
mot Bit" he declared. II never
had such ripping evening in my life"
She held his arm little tighter. She
was the old Sophy again, full of life
Ind gayety.
Lets go to the Aldwych," she sug-
yested, "and see the dancing. We can
lust have something to drink. We
leedn't have any more supper"
The cab stopped a few minutes later
outside what seemed to be a private
louse. The door was opened at once.
;ophy wrote Johns name in book,
md they were ushered by the manager,
Who had come forward to greet them, {
ntO long room, brilliantly lit and
He'd, except In the center, with sup &
,er tables. John looked around him |
The popping Of cham
agne corks was almost incessant. A I
lightly voluptuous atmosphere of S
igarette smoke, mingled with the per- v
umes shaken from the clothes and