The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1917-09-14
CHAPTER VII.

CHAPTER VII.
-
The first few minutes that John sper
IN L0uise's little house were full @
acute and vivid interest. The rooI
that he was so eagerly studying cor
firIned his, cloudy impressions of 1t
owner. There was, for woman
apartment, curious absence of Orna
mentatlOn and knickknacks. The wall
were black and white; the carpet wa
white; the furniture graceful in It
outline, rather heavy in build, and Gov
cred with Old-rOse colored chlnts
There were water-cOlors, upon the wall
some small black-and-white fantasies
puzzling to John, who had never ever
heard the term futurist. A table, draw
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 a smaller
one, close at hand, stood white bow
full of pink roses. Their OdOr was
somehow reminiscent of Louise, curl
Ously sweet and wholesome--an odOI
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
came in with Sophy, who ut once seat
ed herself by his side.
1--WE have been making plans" Lou
Use 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""
"Not 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 Il box
and make all the noise you like after
the fall Of the curtain. These are real
holidays Tor Ice, except for the nui-
sance of rehearsals. You couldn't have
come at better time"
Sopht glanced at the clock.
"Well," she said, 81 must show m"
respect to that most ancient of adages
by taking my departure. l feel"
"You will do nothing of the sort,
child" Louise interrupted. 81 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 q word, Sophy. 1t Is
not for us to choose"
I'm afraid there isn't any choice"
John declared, his face falling. II
haven't any clothes except what you
see me in"
"Hooray" Sophy exclaimed. "Off
with your smart gown, LOuise Wen
be splendidIy Bohemian. You shall put
on your black frock and black hat,
and powder your nose, and we'll all go
to Guidos first and drink vermuth.
can't look the part, but can act it !"
"But tell me-" Louise asked him,
"did you lose your luggage?"
II brought none" he answered.
They both looked at him-Sophy po-
litely curious, Louise more deeply in
you mean," Louise demanded, "that
after waiting all these months you
started away upon impulse like that
even letting your brother know
u bringing any luggage"
THAT'S exactly what I did" John
agreed, smiling. II had sovereign in
ny pocket when | had bought my
ticket. The Joke of it was" he went
N, Joining in the girls laughter, shat
IIr. Appleton has been worrying me
or months to come up and talk over
and take control of the
money my uncle left me; and when |
ame ut last, I arrived like a pauper.
lie went out himself and bought my
hirt"
"And very nice shirt, too" SOphy !
eclared. glancing at the pattern. "Do
ell US what else happened"
"Well, not much more" John re-
lied "Mr. Appleton stuffed me full
f money and made me take little
ute of rooms at what he called a I
lore fashionable hotel. He stayed to
inch with me, and have promised to :
ae him on business tomorrow morn
lg,"
The two girls sat up and wiped their i,
yes. \
ooh, this is a wonderful adventure n
Du have embarked uponr y Louise ex- i
"You have come quite in the
ght spirit. 1t is your first night here, q
Ir. StrangeWey, so warn you that f
ophy is the most irresponsible and n
lpricious of all my friends" d
Sophy made grimace. II
"Mr. Strangewey,' she begged ear fl
astly, "you won't believe word she ii
lys, win you? All my life / have o
zen looking for single and stead
st attachment. OF course, If Louise "
ants to monopOllze you, | shall fall "
to the background, as l usually do; S,
1t If you think that am going to ac- tc
pt hints and let you go out to dinner v,
one, you are very much mistaken.
1night, at any rate. insist upon COM
g!" q.
Louise shook her head. w
eve shall have to put up with her." &C
c told Iohn with little grimace. lie