The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1917-10-26

stretched out her arms to him. He
body swayed backward a little. Sh,
waved her hands with a gesture In
fnitely graceful, subtly alluring. He
lips were parted with a smile almost o.
| triumph as she once more rested hel
hand upon her partners shoulder.
"Who Is your escort this EVENING"
the latter asked her, speaking almos
for the first time.
"You would not know him." she re
piled. "He is Mr.. John Strangewey
and he comes from Cumberland"
"Just happens that I do know him,
the young man remarked. "Thought
I'd seen his face somewhere. Used tt
be up at the varsity with him. III
speak to him presently"
81 expect he'll be glad to meet you
again." Sophy remarked. 'He doesn't
know a soul in town."
The dance was finished. They re
turned together to where John was
sitting, and the young man held out q
weary hand.
"Amerton, you know, of Magdalen,'
he said. you're Strangewey, aren't
your"
Lord Amerton, of Counsel" John ex-
claimed. 81 thought your face was ia
miliar. Why, we played in the rackets
doubles together!"
"And won 'em, thanks to you," Amer
ton replied. "Are you up for long?"
81 am not quite sure" John told him.
ST only arrived last night"
"Look me up some time, If you've
nothing better to do" the young man
suggested. "Where are you hanging
out?"
"The Milan"
ST am at the Albany. So-long! Must
get back to my little lady,"
He bowed to Sophy and departed.
She sank a little breathlessly into her
chair and laid her hand on Johns arm.
Her cheeks were flushed, her bosom
was rising and falling quickly.
81 am out of breath" she said, her
head thrown back, perilously near to
Johns shoulder. Lord Amerton dances
well. Give me some champagne"
"And you-you dance divinely," he
told her, as he filled her glass.
eff we were alone" she whispered,
81 should want you to kiss mel"
The stem of the wine glass In Johns
fingers snapped suddenly, and the wine
trickled down to the floor. A passing
waiter hurried up with a napkin, and a
fresh glass was brought. The affair
was scarcely noticed, but John re-
NAMED disturbed and a little pale.
"Have you cut your hand?" Sophy
asked anxiously.
"Not at ALL" he assured her. "How
hot it is hereI Do you mind if we go?"
$50" she exclaimed disconsolately.
II thought you were enjoying yourself
so much!'
$50 am" he answered, "but don't
quite understand"
He paused.
understand what?" she demanded.
Myself, if you must know"
She set down the glass which she
had been in the act of raising to her
Ups.
GLOW queer you are!" she muir
nured. 'Listen. You haven't got a
wife or anything up in Cumberland.
nave your"
"You know 1 haven't" he answered.
"You're not engaged to be married,
you have no ties, you came up here per-
'ectiy free, you haven't even said any
70 II
"Of course not"
"Well, then" she began.
Her words were so softly spoken
hat they seemed to melt away. She |
eaned forward to look in his face.
"Sophy," he begged, with sudden and
lmost passionate earnestness, "be
lind to me, please! j am just sim
lie, stupid countryman, who feels as
E he had lost his way. / have lived a
olitary sort of life-an unnatural one,
ou would say-and I've been brought
ID with some old-fashioned ideas. !
now they are old-fashioned, but I
ant throw them overheard all at once.
have kept away from this sort of
hing. I didn't think it would ever at
ract mel suppose because I didn't
elieve it could be made so attractive.
have suddenly found out-that it
oesl'
"What are you going to doT' she
"There is only one thing for me to
o." he answered. "Until know what
have come to London to learn, I shall
ght against it."
"You mean about Louise?"
81 mean about Louise" he said
ravely.
Sophy came still closer to him.
Why are you so foolish?" she muir
ured. Louise is very wonderful, in
er place, but she is not what you want
life. Has it never occurred to you
Iat you may be too later"
what do you mean?" he demanded.
IT believe what the world believes, I
hat some day think she will admit ,
herself-thnt she cares for the
'ince of Seyre." 9
HAS she ever told you so3' '
Louise never speaks of these things I