The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1917-11-09


come in here and finish brooding over
these wretched bills while Mr.. Strange
wey talks to me-"
Sophy came suddenly across the
room and sank on the floor at Louise's
feet.
'What are you going to do about Mr..
Strangewey, Louise?" she asked visit
fully.
"What am going to do about him?"
"He is in love with you," Sophy con-
tinued. ~ am sure-I am almost sure
Of it."
Louise's laugh was unconvincing.
"You foolish childl" she exclaimed.
II believe that you have been worry
ing. Why do you think so much about
other people?"
please tell me-" Sophy begged. II
want to understand how things really
are between you and John Strangewey.
Are you in love with him?"
Louise's eyes were soft and dreamy.
II wish knew" she answered. IF
I am, then there are things in life
more wonderful than I have ever
dreamed of. He doesn't live in our
woodland our world, as you know,
has its grip. He knows nothing about
my art, and you can guess what life
would be to me without that. What
future could there be for him and for
me together? cannot remake my
SELF"
There was something in Sophy's face
that was almost like wonder.
$50 this is the meaning of the
change in you, Louisel I knew that
something had happened. You have
seemed so different for the last few
months"
Louise nodded.
London has never been the same
place to me since first met him in
Cumberland" she admitted. Some
times think am-to use your own
words-in love with John. Sometimes
I feel it Is just queer, indistinct, but
passionate appreciation of the abstract
beauty Of the life he seems to stand
| for"
"Is he really so good, I wonder?"
Sophy asked pensively.
II do not know" Louise sighed. II
only know that when first talked to
him, he seemed different from any
man have ever spoken with in my
| life. I suppose there are few temp
tations up there, and they keep nearer
to the big things. Sometimes I won
der, Sophy, if it was not very wrong
Of me to draw him away from it all !"
Rubbish" Sophy declared. IF he
is good, he can prove it and know it
here. He will come to know the truth
about himself. Besides, it isn't every
thing to possess the standard virtues.
Louise, he will be here in q minute.
You want to be left alone with him.
What are you going to say when he
asks you what you know he will ask
you?"
Louise looked down at her.
| Dear" she said, II wish I could
tell you. do not know. That is the
strange, troublesome part of it do
not knOwr'
"Will you promise me something's"
Sophy begged. Promise me that If
stay in here quietly until after he has
| gone, you will come and tell mel"
Louise leaned little downward as
if to look into her friends face. Sophy
suddenly dropped her eyes, and the
color rose to the roots of her hair.
There was knock at the door, and the
| parlor maid entered.
"Mr. Strangewey, madam" she an
nounced.
| Louise looked at John curiously as
she greeted him. His face showed few
signs Of the struggle through which he
had passed, but the grim setting of his
lips reminded her a little of his
brother. He had lost, too, something
Of the boyishness, the simple light
heartedness Of the day before. In
stinctively she felt that the battle had
begun. She asked him nothing about
the supper party, and Sophy, quick to
follow her lead, also avoided the sub
ject.
| Luncheon was not a lengthy meal,
and Immediately it's service was con-
cluded, Sophy rose to her feet with
sigh.
81 must 60 and finish my work." she
declared. 'Let me have the den to my
self for at least an hour, please, Lou
Use. 1t will take me longer than that
to middle through your books"
Louise led the way upstairs into the
cool, white drawing room, with it's
flower-perfumed atmosphere and its
delicate, shadowy air Of repose. She
curled herself up in a corner of the
divan and gave John his coffee. Then
she leaned back and looked at him.
$50 you have really come to London,
Mr.. Countrymanl"
II have followed you," he answered.
81 think you knew that I would. I
tried not to-" he went on, after mo-
ment's pause. II fought against it as
hard as could; but in the end had
to give in. ! came for you"
Louise's capacity for fencing seemed
suddenly enfeebled. A frontal attack
Of such directness was irresistible.
"For me-" she repeated weakly.
"Of course" he replied. "None of
your arguments would have brought
me here. If have desired to under
stand this world at all, it is because 1t
is your world. It is you want-don't
you understand that? thought you
would know it from the first moment
you saw mel"
He was suddenly on his feet. lean
ing over her, a changed man, master
| full, passionate. She opened her lips,