Iron County record. [volume] (Cedar City, Utah) 1893-1982, 1917-11-09

was momentarily transformed. All Its
pallor and fatigue seemed TO have van
lshed. Her head had fallen a little back.
She was looking through the ceiling
into heaven. Then the light died away
! almost as quickly us II had come. Her
lips shook TREMENDOUSLY.
"You know you don't mean it, John
You wouldn't take me. And If you did,
you'd hate me afterward--you'd want
to send me back !"
He suddenly drew her to him, his
arm went around her waist. She had
lost all power of resistance. For the
first time In his life of his own DELHI
crate accord, he kissed her-feversh-
Iy. almost roughly.
"Sophy," he declared, 81 have been
fool ] have come an awful cropper
but you might help me with what's
left. ! am going to start afresh. /
am going 10 get rid OF some Of these
ideas of mine which have brought me
nothing but misery and dlsappoint
ment. I don't want To live up to them
any longer. / want to just forget
them. / want to live as other men
live-just the simple, ordinary life.
Come with me! I'll take you to the
places we've talked about together.
am always happy and contented with
you. Let's try III"
Her arms stole around his neck.
"John," she whispered, hiding her
face for a moment. "What can l say?
What could any poor, weak little crea-
ture like me say? You know l am
fond of you'll haven't had the pride
even, to conceal it!'
He stood up, held her face for n
moment between his hands, and kissed
her forehead.
"Then that's all settled" he de-
clared. II am going back to my rooms
now. want you to come and dine
with me there tonight, at eight
o'clock"
Her eyes sought his, pleaded with
them, searched them.
"You are sure, John?" she asked, her
voice a little broken. "You want me
really? am to conner"
81 am sure" he answered steadfast-
ly. ~ shall expect you at eight
o'clock -
John went back to his rooms fighting
all the time against a sense of unreal
He bought an evening newspaper and
read 1t on the way. He talked to
the hall porter, he talked to neigh
Dor with whom he assembled In the
lift-he did everything except think.
In his rooms he telephoned to the
restaurant for waiter, and with the
menu In his hand few minutes later,
he ordered dinner. Then he glanced
at his watch-it was barely seven
o'clock. He went down to the barber
shop, was shaved and had his hair cut,
encouraging the barber all the while
to talk to him. He gave his hands
over to manicure, and did his best
to talk nonsense to her. Then he came
upstairs again, changed his clothes
with great care, and went into his
little sitting room.
1t was five minutes to eight, and
dinner had been laid at little round
table in the center of the room. There
was bowl of pink roses-Sophy's ia
vorite fower-sent in from the for
lists; the table was lighted by pink
shaded lamp. John went around the
room, turning out the other lights, I'M
Ill the apartment was hung with shad-
ows save for the little spot of color
In the middle. An unopened bottle of
champagne stood in an ice-pail, and
two specially prepared cocktails had
been placed upon the little side table.
There were no more preparations to be
made.
He turned impatiently away from
the window and glanced at the clock,
1t was almost eight. He tried to imag'
Inc that the bell was ringing, that So
ply was standing there on the thresh'
old in her simple but dainty evening
dress, with little smile parting her
lips. The end of 1t all! He pulled
down the blind. No more of the win
dow, no more looking out Mt the lights
no more living In the clouds 1t was
time, indeed, that he lived as other
men. He lifted one of the glasses t.
his lips ana drained Its contents.
Then the bell rang. He moved for
| warn 10 uuNNtT IT'S SulllllohS WIN
beating heart AS he opened it, he re
ceived shock A messenger boy stood
outside. He took the note which the
boy handed him and tore IL open under
a lamp. There were only few lines
, John. my heart Is breaking, but know
, you do not mean what you said. / know
It was only a moment Of madness witt
, you. know you viii love Louise all youI
life. and will bless me all your life be-
cause am giving up the one thing which
the fun glass on the sidebOard. II
seemed to him that he was past all
sensations. The waiter came in ST.
lently.
"You can serve the dinner" John or.
dered shaking out his napkin "opeu
the champagne before you CO."
you will be alone slr?" the mar
inquired.
II shall be alone John answered.
CHAPTER XIII.