The Ordway new era., 1917-12-28

ing the last few hours.
II II suppose am perfect idiot" h
II admitted. II cannot help 1t. I am use
to seeing, at tas most, three or fou
| people together at a time. can't un
| derStand these crowds. Where ar
| they all soinsr Fancy every one o
them having q home, every one O
them struggling in some form or an
other toward ltappIness!"
.Do you know" she pronounced Sc
verely. 'for a young man Of your age
you are much foo serious? am quite
sure you coulG be nice If you wanted
TO-" she continued. "How much are
you in love with Louise?"
.'How much am l what?"
In love with Louise?" she repeated
"All the men are. 1t is a perfect cult
with them. And here am I. her humble
companion and friend, absolutely neg
lected,"
Il don't believe you are neglected at
ALL he replied. you are much too"
He turned his head to look at her.
She was so close to him that their hats
collided. He was profuse in his apollo
gies.
TOO whatw she whispered.
"Too attractive" he ventured.
ats nice to hear you say So" she
sighed.
She was unlike any girl John had
ever known. Her hair was almost
golden, her eyes a distinct blue, yet
some trick Of the mouth saved her face
from any suggestion Of insipidity. She
was looking straight into his eyes, and
her lips were curled most invitngly.
II wish knew more about certain
things" he said.
"Oh, why didn't you come before?"
she exclaimed. Fancy Louise never
telling me about you. hope you'll ask
me to lunch some time"
"I'll have a luncheon party tomor-
row, II you like-that is, If Louise will
come"
She looked up at him quickly.
Isn't Louise going to Parish" she
asked.
Paris? I didn't hear her say any
thing about it."
Sophy went on hastily. II only fancied
tuat nearu ner say SO.
There was a moments silence. John
had opened his lips to ask question.
but quickly closed them again. 1t was
a question, he suddenly decided, which
he had better ask Of Louise herself.
"1f Louise goes to Paris" Sophy
whispered disconsolately, II suppose
there will be no luncheon-party?'
For q cipplo ho hacifo{ad
She was very alluring, and the chal-
lenge In her eyes was unmistakable.
Il think" he said quietly, shat II
Miss Maurel goes to Paris. shall re-
turn to Cumberland tomorrow"
For time there was a significant
silence. Then Sophy raised her veil
once more and looked toward John.
"Mr. Strangewey." she began, "you
won't mind If give you just little
word of advice? You are such big,
strong person, but you are rather a
child, you kno7. In some things"
''This place does make me feel igno-
rant" he admitted.
Don't idealize anyone here" she
begged. "Don't concentrate all your
hopes upon one object. Love is won
derful and life Is wonderful, but there
is only one life, and there are many
loves before one reaches the end. Peo-
pie do such silly things sometimes" I"
she wound up, 'just because of a little
disappointment. There are many dis
appointments to be met with here"
He took her hand in his.
Little GIRL" he said, "you are very
good to me, and I think you under.
stand. Are you going to let me feel
that have found friend on my FIRST
evening in Londonf"
'n you want me-" she answered sim
ply. II like you, and I want you to be
happy here; and because want you
to be happy, want you to come down
from the clouds and remember thai
you have left your hills behind ant
that we walk on the pavements here"
"Thank you" he whispered, "ant
thank you for what you have not said
} II am to find sorrow here instead O.
Joy" he added, little grimly, ut Il
better for me to stumble into tn
knowledge of 1t BY myself"
, "Your hills have taught you just tina
much Of life, thenr Sophy mufmured
The prince Of Seyre handed his ha
and stick to the parlof maid and seate'
! himself upon the divan.
II should be very sorry." he said pc
} litely. ~ the maid left the room, =
my coming has hastened the dspartur
. Of youf visitoTAw
} mot In ths lsast.s Louise assure
him. s.rhey were having wAen ~
!, wers announxed. D0phy and I are III
) ~ NJ G{y1nC1Ney - ! Bees11lian ~
a n III h