Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1917-09-14
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 Il woman's
apartment, Il curious absence of Orna-
mentatiOn and knickknacks. The walls
were black and white; the carpet was
white; the furniture graceful in its
outline, rather heavy in build. and GOV.
cred with old-rose colOred chints.
There were water-coors upon the wall,
some small black-and-white fantasies,
puzzling to John, who had never even
heard the term futurlst. A table, drawn
I'D to the side of one Of the easy chairs,
was covered with books and magazines,
some Italian, a few English, the great
err part French; and upon smaller
one, close ut 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.
1--WE have been making plans" Lou
Use declared, "for disposing of you for
the rest of the day."
John smiled happily.
you're not sending me away, then?
You're not acting this EVENING"
mot until three weeks next Mon
day." she replied. "Then, If you are
GOOD, and the production is not post
i,oned, 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 rchearsals. You couldn't have
come at a better time"
Sophy glanced at the clock.
"Weli," she said, 81 must show my
respect TO that most ancient of adagcs
~ taking my departure. l feel"
"You will do nothing Of the sort,
child" Louise interrupted. II want to
interest you In the evolution Of Mr..
Strangewey. We must remember that
It Is his first night in London. What
aspect of 1t shall we attempt to show
him? Don't say word, Sophy. 1t is
not for us to choose"
"Im afraid there isn't any choice"
John declared, his face falling. II
haven't any clothes except what you
see me in"
"Hooray" Sophy exclaimed. "0ff
with your smart gown, Louise! Well
be splandldly Bohemian. You shall put
on your black frock and a black hat,
and powder your nose, and well all go
10 Guido's first and drink vermuth. l
can't look the part, but can act it,
"But tell me- Louise asked him,
"dld you lose your luggage"
81 brought none" he answered.
They both looked at him--Sophy po-
litely curious, Louise more deeply In
terested.
"You mean," Louise demanded, that
after waiting oil these months you
started away upon impulse like that
without even letting your brother know
or bringing any luggage?"
"That's exactly what l did," John
agreed, smiling. II had sovereign In
my pocket when I had bought my
ticket. The Joke of 1t was" he went
on, joining in the girls laughter, shat
Mr.. Appleton has been worrying me
for months to come up and talk over
reinvestments, and take control Of the
money my uncle left me; and when !
came at last, arrived like pauper.
lie went out himself and bought my
s.------.