Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1917-11-06
CHAPTER XIII.

Sophy Gerard sat in the little back
ter called her den, but which she sell
dom entered. The little actress was
looking very trim and neat in a simple
blue serge costume which fitted her to
perfection, her hair very primly ar
ranged and tied up with a bow. She
had a pen in her mouth, there was a
sheaf of bills before her, and an open
housekeeping book lay on her knee.
She had been busy for the last half
hour making calculations, the result
of which had brought a frown to her
face.
"There is no doubt about It," she de-
cided. Louise is extravagant
The door opened, and Louise herself,
in a gray morning gown of some soft
material, with a bunch of deep-red
roses at her waist, looked into the
room.
"Why, little GIRL" she exclaimed,
''how long have you been hereT
"All the morning." Sophy replied. 81
took the dogs out, and then 1 started
on your housekeeping book and the
bills. Your checks will have to be
larger than ever this month, Louise,
and I don't see how you can possibly
draw them unless you go and see your
bankers first"
Louise threw herself into an easy
chair.
Dear mel" she sighed. 81 thought
had been so carefulr
"How can you talk about being care
ful?" Sophy protested, tapping the
pile of bills with her forefnger. "You
seem to be overdrawn already"
81 will see to that" Louise promised.
1.-THE bank manager is such a charm
ing person. Besides, what are banks
for but to oblige their clients? How
pale you look, little girl! Were you
out late last night?"
Sophy swung around in her place.
81 am all right. 1 spent the evening
in my roorss and went to bed at eleven
o'clock. Who's lunching with you? 1
see the table is laid for two"
Louise glanced at the clock upon the
mantelpiece.
"Mr. Strangewey," she replied. 81
suppose he will be here in a minute or
two"
Sophy dropped the housekeeping
book and jumped up.
I'D better go, then"
"Of course not" Louise answered.
you must stay to lunch. Ring the
bell and tell them to lay a place for
you. Afterward, if you like, you may
come In here and finish brooding 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 visit
fully.
What am going to do about him?"
He is in love with you." Sophy con-
tinued. II am sure-I am almost sure
of It."
A@ONAoC WAS
you foolish childl" she exclaimed.
Il 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?"
Louise's eyes were soft and dreamy
II wish knew" she answered. IF
l am, then there are things In life
more wonderful than l have eyeS
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? 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, Louisel / 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 think / am-to use your own
words--in love with John. Sometimes