Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1917-11-02

taller and gaunter than ever, though
he seemed to bring into the perhaps
overwarmed atmosphere of Johns lit
tie sitting room something of the cold
austerity of his own domain, had evil
IDENTIFY come in no unfrlendly spirit. lie
took both his brothers hands In his
and grpped them warmly.
IT can't tell you how glad ! am to
see YOU Stephen" John declared.
ut has been an effort to me to
come" Stephen admitted. II am one
of the oldfashloned Strangeweys.
What feel is pretty well locked up
inside. The last time you and met
perhaps | spoke too much; so here l
am"
ITS fine Of you" John declared. u
remember nothing of that day. We will
look at things squa"ely together, even
whore we differ. Pm"
He broke off in the middle Of his SEN
tpnce. The door had been suddenly
opened, and Sophy Gerard made a
somewhat inpetuous entrance.
"Im absolutely sick of ringing,
John" she exclaimed "Oh, | beg your
pardon | hadn't the least idea you
had anyone with you"
She stood still in surprise, a little
apologize smile upon her lips. John
hastened forward and welcomed her.
"It's all right, Sophy," he declared.
LET me introduce my brother, may l?
My brother Stephen-Miss Sophy
Gerard"
Stephen rose slowly from his place,
laid down his pipe, and bowed stifiiy to
| Sophy. She held out her hand how
ever, and smiled up at him delightfully."-.
"How nice of you to come and see
your poor, lonely brother" she said.
1--WE have done our best to spoil him.
but I'm afraid he Is very hOmesick
sometimes. hope you've come to stay
a long time and to learn all about Lon
don. as John is uoing. If you are half
as nice as he is, well give you such a
good time!"
From his great height, Stephen
looked down upon the girls upturned
lace little austerely. She chartered
away, entirely unabashed.
I II do hope you're not shocked at my
bursting in upon your brother like
ms! We really are great pals and
five only just across the way. We are
uuch less formal up here, you know,
than you are In the country. John. I've
brought you q message from Louise
about tonightF
She nodded.
Louise is most frlghtfully sorry"
she explained, but she has to go down
to Streatham to open bazaar and she
can't possibly be back in time to dine
before the theater. Can you gress what
she dared to suggestT
81 think | can" John replied smiling.
"Say you will, there's a dear" she
begged II am not playing tonight.
May Enser is going on in my place. we
arranged 1t week ago. | had two
fines to pay on Saturday, and | haven't
had a decent meal this week. But l
had forgotten" she broke off, with a
sudden note Of disappointment In her
tone. "There's your brother. l mustn't
take you away from him."
EVEN all have dinner together"
John suggested. you'll come, OF
course, StephenT
Stephen shook his head.
"Thank you" he said, 81 am due at
nv hotel. I'm going back to Cumber-
land tomorrow morning, and my errand
is already done"
"You will do nothing Of the sort|
John declared.
"Plcase be amiable," Sophy begged.
"If Won won't come with us, | shall
simply run away and leave you with
John. You needn't look at your
clothes" she went on. I'VE can 90 to
n crillroom. John sha'n't dress, either.
want you to tell me all about Cum
berland. where this brother of yours
lives. He doesn't tell us half enough"
John passed his arm through his
brothers and led him away.
"Come and have wash, old chap"
he said.
They dne6 together at Luigi's, a
curiously assorted trio-Sophy. be-
tween the two men, supplying a dis
tinctly alien nrte. SIZE was always
gay. always az. ,sing, be. although she
addressed most Oh .er remarks TO
Stephen, he never ONO unbent. He ate
and drank sigaply, seldom speaking OF
himself or his plans, and firmly mega
living all their suggestions for the re-
! malnder Of the evening. Occasionally
he glanced at the clock. John became
conscious of certain feeling of curl
osity, which in sense Sophy shared.
{ "Your brother seems to me like a
/ man with n purpose" she said, as they
/ stood in the entrance hall on their way
t out of the restaurant. like prophet
: with mission, perhaps / should say
John nodded. In the little passage
where they stood, he and Stephen
!, seemed to dwarf the passers-by. The
e men, In their evening clothes and pallit
!, faces, seemed suddenly insignificant
and the women like dolls.
"For the last time, Stephen" Johr
said wont you come to music hal
with usf"
o ~ have made my plans for the eve
/. ming. thank you,' Stephen replied
S holding out his hand. Good night'
l. He left them standing there ant
Il walked off down the Strand. John, look
l, ing after him, frowned. He was con
6 scious of certain foreboding.
Il 81 suppose" Sophy sighed, as the
n waited for taxlcab, 1--WE shall spen'