The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1917-08-16

I Dell and tell them to lay place for
you. Afterwurd, if you like, you may
come in here and finish brOodlng 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 wist-
fully.
what am going to do about him?"
'Ele is in love with you" SOphy con-
tinued. II am sure-I am almost sure
of it."
Louise's laugh WIS uncOnvincing.
You foolish child" she exclaimed.
81 believe that you have been worry
ing Why do you think so much about
other people?"
please tell me-" Sophy begged. 81
want to understand how things really
are between you and John Strangewey.
Are you in love with him?"
Louises eyes were soft and dreamy.
Il wish l knew" she answered. IF
more wonderful than l have ever
/ dreamed of. He doesn't live in our
wOrld-and 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? l 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, Louise! l 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 l first met him in
Cumberland" she admitted. Some
times l think l anl-to use your own
wOrds-in love with John. Sometimes
| feel it is just queer, indlstinct, but
passionate appreciation Of the abstract
beauty of the life he seems to stand
for"
rs he really SO good, / 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 l have ever spoken With in my
life. l suppose there are few temp
tations up there, and they keep nearer
to the big things. Sometimes l Won
der, Sophy, if it was not very wrong
of me to draw him away from 1t 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 l could
tell you. l do not know. That Is the
strange, troublesome part of it do
not known
will you promise me something's"
SOphy begged. promise me that if
stay in here quietly until after he has
gone, you viii come and tell me"
Louise leaned a littlt GsXSw2rd 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.
"N1r. Strangewey, madam" she an
nounced.
Louise looked at John curiCusly 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 lengthy meal,
and Immediately its service was con-
cluded, SOphy rose to her feet with a
sigh.
II must go 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 muddle through your books"
Louise led the way upstairs into the
cool, white drawing room, with its
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.. Countryman"
81 have followed you" he answered.
81 think you knew that l would.
| tried not to-" he went on, after mo-
ment's pause. II fought against it as
hard as could; but in the end l had
to give in. came for you"
Louises capacity for fencing seemed
suddenly enfeebled. A frontal attack
of such directness was irresistible.
"For mel" 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 it
is your world. 1t is you want-don't
you understand that? l thought you
would know it from the first moment
you saw mel"
/ II .0-. ...aI..I-. ~, hir fno4 lonr,