The Ordway new era., 1918-02-22

| voice little broken. "You want me
really? l am to conner"
II am sure" he answered steadfast-
ly. II shall expect you at eight
o'clock"
John went back to his rooms fighting
| all the time against a sense of unreal
ity. sense almost of lost identity.
He bought an evening newspaper and
read 1t on the way. He talked to
the hall porter, he talked to a neigh
Dor with whom he ascended In the
lift-he did everything except think.
In his rooms he telephoned to the
restaurant for a 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 a 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.
It was i've 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
vnrite flower-sent in from the flor
lists; the table was lighted by pink
shaded lamp. John went around the
room, turning out the other lights, un-
til 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 impadently away from
the window and glanced Mt 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 at the lights,
no more living In the clouds! 1t was
time, indeed. that he lived as other
men. He lifted one of the glasses to
his lips and drained Its contents.
Then the bell rang. he moved for
ward to answer Its summons with
beating heart. As he opened It, he re-
outside. He took the note which the
boy handed him and tore 1t open under
a lamp. There were only a few lines:
John, my heart IL breaking, but know
you do not mean what you said. know
It was only a moment of madness with
you. know you will love Louise all your
life. and will bless me all your life be-
cause am giving up the one thing which
could make my life q paradise. shall
be in the train when you read this. on my
way to Bath. I have wired my young
man. as you call him, to meet me. am
going to ask him to marry me. II he will,
next week.
Good-by! give you NO advice. Some
day think that life will right itself with
you. soPHY.
The letter dropped upon the table.
John stood for a moment dazed. Sud-
denly he began to laugh. Then he re-
membered the messenger boy. gave
him half a crown, and closed the door.
He came back into the room and took
his place at the table. He looked at
the empty chair by his side. looked at
the full glass on the sideboard. It
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. "Open
the champagne before you CO."
'You will be alone. sir7" the man
inquired.
II shall be Alone" John answered.