The Tomahawk., 1917-11-15

stretched out her arms to him. Her
body swayed backward little. She
waved her hands with gesture in
initely graceful, subtly alluring. Her
lips were parted with smile almost Of
triumph as she once more rested her
hand upon her partners shoulder.
"Who is your escort this EVENING""
the latter asked her, speaking almost
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 do know him."
the young man remarked. Thought
I'd seen his face somewhere. Used to
be up at the varsity with him. I'll
speak to him presently"
II 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
weary hand.
"Amerton, you know, Of Magdalen,"
he said. "You're Strangewey, aren't
you?"
'Lord Amerton, of Counsel" John ex-
claimed. II 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?"
IT am not quite sure" John told him.
81 only arrived last night"
ssLook me up some time, If you've
nothing better to d." the young man
suggested. "Where are you hanging
out?"
'tThe Milan.''
IT 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.
II am out of BREATH" she said, her
head thrown back, perilously near to
Johns shoulder. lord Amerton dances
we'll. Give me some champagne I"
"And you-you dance divinely," he
told her, as he filed her glass.
IF we were Alone" she whispered,
II 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 napkin, and a
fresh glass was brought. The affair
was scarcely noticed, but John re-
NAMED disturbed and q little pale.
"Have you cut your hand?' Sophy
asked anxiously.
mot at ALL" he assured her. allow
hot it is here! Do you mind If we go?'
| "Go?" she exclaimed discOnsolately.
II thought you were enjoying yourself
so much!'
$50 I 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
lips.
GLOW queer you are" she muir
INJURED. "Listen. You haven't got a
wife or anything up in Cumberland,
have you?"
t'You know haven't" he answered.
s'You're not engaged to be married,
you have no ties, you came up here per-
fectly free, you haven't even said any
thing veto Loufse?"
sOf course not"
'Well, then" she began.
Her words were so softly spoken
that they seemed to melt away. She
leaned forward to look in his face.
"Sophy," he begged, with sudden and
almost passionate earnestness, "be
kind to me, please! I am just a sim
pie, stupid countryman, who feels as
If he had lost his way. have lived q
solitary sort of life-an unnatural one,
YOU would say-and I've been brought
up, with some old.fashioned ideas. ]
know they are old-fashioned, but ]
can't throw them overheard all at once.
I have kept away from this sort of
thing. I didn't think it would ever at
tract mel suppose because I didn't
believe it could be made so attractive.
I have suddenly found out-that 1t
doesi"
"What are you going to dor she
whispered.
sThere is only one thing for me to
do" he answered. until know what
have come to London to learn, shall
fight against It."
| "You mean about Louiser
IT mean about Louise" he said
gravely.
Sophy came still closer to him.
'Why are you so foolish7" she muir
INJURED. Louise is very wonderful, in
her place, but she is not what you want
in life. Has it never occurred to you
that you may be too later"
"What do you meanf' he demanded
II believe what the world believes,
what some day I think she will admit
| n horso1f-that she cares for the