The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1917-10-19
CHAPTER VII.

The first few minutes that John spent
In Louise's little house were full of
acute and vivid interest. The room
that he was so eagerly studying con-
firmed his cloudy. impressions of its
owner There was, for a woman's
apartment, a curious absence of orna-
mentation and knickknacks. The walls
were black and white; the carpet was
white; the furniture graceful in it's
outline, rather heavy in build, and COW
cred with old-rose colored chints.
There were water-colors upon the wall,
some small black-and-white fantasies,
puzzling to John, who had never even
heard the term futurist. A table, drawn
I'D to the side of one of the easy chairs,
was covered with books and magazines,
some Italian, few English, the great
er part French and upon smaller
one, close at hand, stood white bowl
full of pink roses. Their odor was
somehow reminiscent of Louise, Curl
ously sweet and wholesome-an odor
which suddenly took him back to the
morning when she had come to him
from under the canopy of apple-blos-
som. His heart began to beat with
pleasure even before the opening OF
the door announced her presence. She
came in with Sophy, who at once seat
ed herself by his side.
eve have been making plans" Lou
lse declared, "for disposing of you for
he of tho down
John smiled happily.
you're not sending me away, then?
You're not acting this EVENING""
'Not until three weeks next Mon
day." she replied. "Then, If you are
good, and the production is not post
poned, you may seat yourself in box
and make all the noise you like after
the fall of the curtain. These are real
holidays for me, except for the null
sance of rehearsals. You couldn't have
come at a better time"
Sophy glanced at the clock.
"Well," she said, 81 must show my
respect to that most ancient of adages
by taking my departure. 1 feel
"You will do nothing of the sort,
rnild," Louise interrupted. Il want to
interest you in the evolution of Mr.. |
Strangewey. We must remember that
It is his first night in London. What |
aspect of it shall we attempt to show
him? Don't say word, Sophy. 1t is
not for US to choose"
"rm afraid there isn't any choice"
John declared, his face falling.
haven't any clothes except what you
see me H."
"Hooray!" Sophy exclaimed. "Off
with your smart gown, Louise! Wen
ue splendidly Bohemian. You shall put
ON your black frock and a black hat,
anf powder your nose, and we'll all go
II. t-uido's first and drink vermuth.
:rn't look the part, but l can act it "
''But tell me-" Louise asked him,
did you lose your luggage?'
81 brought none," he answered.
They both looked at him-Sophy po-
uely curious, Louise more deeply in
"You mean," Louise demanded, that
AFTER waiting all these months you
.ts Z ed away upon impulse like that
without even letting your brother know
r. bringing any luggage?
"That's exactly what I did," John
agreed, smiling. 81 had sovereign in
nv pocket when 1 had bought my
dcket. The joke of it was" he went
On, joining in the girls laughter, that
Mr.. Appleton has been worrying me {
For months Tn come I'D and talk over
and take control OF the
money my uncle left me; and when l
same at last, 1 arriH ed like pauper.
He went out himself and bought my
shirt"
Sand a very mic, shirt, too" Sophy {
glancing at the pattern. do
ell us what else happened? S
swell, not much more" John re-
,lied. "Mr. Appleton stuffed me fuil
If money and made me take little
,uite of rooms at what he called
more fashionable hotel. He stayed TO
unca with me, and have promised to
100 him ON business tomorrow morn t
n.y.
TIE two girls sat up and wiped their a
Iges.
"Csn, this is wonderful adventure b
rou have embarked upon" Louise ex- \
damned. "You have come quite In the
light spirit. 1t is your first night here, a
dr. Strangewey, SO + warn you that b
,ophy is the most irresponsible and S
= pririous of al my friends. q