Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1917-10-16
CHAPTER VII.

ESBdEU LUZ LOUISE.
CHAPTER VII.
-
The first few minutes that John spent
ia Louise's little house were full of
acute and vivid interest. The room
that he was so eagerly studying con-
frmed his cloudy Impressions Of its
owner. There was, for woman's
apartment, a curious absence Of orna-
mentation and knickknacks. The walls
were black and white; the carpet was
white; the furniture graceful in its
outline, rather heavy In build, and COW
cred with old-rOse colOred chints.
There were water-cOlors upon the wall,
some small black-and-white fantasies,
puzzIing to John, who had never even
heard the term futuriSt. A table, drawn
up to the side of one Of the easy chairs,
was covered with books and magazines,
some italian, few English, the great
er part French; and upon smaller
one, close at hand, stood white bowl
full of pink roses. Their odOr was
somehow reminiscent of Louise, curl
Ously 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 heart began to beat with
pleasure even before the opening of
the door announced her presence. She
IN, NV of r
ed herself by his side.
eve have been making plans" Lou
ise declared, "fOr dlspOsing 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 nui-
sance of rehearsals. You couldn't have
come at better time"
SOphy glanced at the clock.
''Wel," she said, 81 must show my
respect to that most ancient of adages
by taking my departure. feel"
'You will do nothing of the sort,
child" Louise interrupted. II want to
interest you in the evolution of MI.
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 a word, SOphy. 1t Is
not for us to choose"
'Tm afraid there isn't any choice"
John declared, his face falling. 81
haven't any clothes except what you
see me in"
"HOorayI" Sophy exclaimed. ION
with your smart gown, Louise! Wen
be splendidly Bohemian. You shall put
on your black frock and black hat,
and powder your nose, and We'll all go
to GuidO's first and drink vermuth. l
can't look the part, but can act It'll"
'But tell me-" Louise asked him,
"dld you lose your luggage?"
81 brought none," he answered.
They both looked at him-Sophy po-
litely 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 luggage?
"That'S exactly what l did" John
agreed, smiling. 81 had a sovereign in
my pocket when 1 had bought my
ticket. The joke of it was" he went
on, Joining in the girls laughter, "that
Mr.. Appleton has been worrying me
for months to come up and talk over
Refreshments, and take control of the
money my uncle left me; and when
came at last, / arrived like a pauper.
He went out himself and bought my
shirt"
"And a very nice shirt too" Sophy
declared, glancing at the pattern. do
tell us what else happenedw
"WeIl, not much more" John re-
piled. 'Mr. Appleton stuffed me full
OF money and made me take little
suite of rooms at what he called a
more fashionable hotel. He 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 a wonderful adventure
you have embarked uponl" Louise ex-
claimed. "YOu have come quite in the
right spirit. 1t is your first night here,
Mr.. Strangewey, so I warn you that
Sophy is the most irresponsible and
capricious Of all my friends"
Sophy made a grimace.
"Mr. Strangewey," she begged ear
nestly, you won't believe q word she
says, will you? Ali my life have
been looking for a single and stead
fast attachment. OF course, If Louise
wants to monopolize you, shall fall
into the background, as 1 usually do /:
but If you think that am going to &C
eept hints and let you go out to dinner
alone, you are very much mistaken.
Tonight, at any rate, l insist upon COM
ingr"
Louise shook her head.
1--WE shall have to put up with her."
she told John with little grimace.
The door of the room was suddenly
opened. The parlor maid stood at one
side
The prince Of Seyre, madam" she
announced.
Louise nodded. She was evidently
expecting the visit She turned to
John.
"Wiu you come back and call for US
here-Say at seven o'clock? Mind. you
are not to bother about your clothes,
but to come just as you are. l can't
tell you" she added under her breath.
how much ! am looking forward TO
our evening !"
SOphy Sprang to her feet.
Wont ycu drop me, please. Mr..