Tombstone epitaph., 1918-02-10

Oh. it isn't interesting me said.
Its Just Q young man In Bath. He
Is a lawyer and moderately well OF.
He has wanted me to marry him for
years. He was q friend of my broth
er's. Lately he has been bothering q
little more than usual-in fact. l sup
pose 1 have received what might be
called an ultimatum. He came up yes
terday. and I went out with him last
night. He has gone back to Bath this
morning. and I have promised to let
him know in month. think that Is
why I went out to Waterloo bridge in
a macintosh and got wet"
do you like himY" John asked prac-
tically.
81 like him. I suppose" Sophy sighed.
That's the worst Of 1t. II didn't like
him. there might be some chance.
can't realize myself ever doing more
than liking him In a mild sort of way;
and II he expected more, as Of course
he would, then I should probably hate
him. He tried to kiss me on the way
to the station. and I nearly scratched
him. That isn't like me. you know. I
rather like being kissed sometimes"
John buried himself In the wine-list.
SWELL" he admitted. ut doesn't
sound very hopeful. I'm no sort Of
Judge In these matters, but I have
heard lots Of people say that one gets
on all right after marriage without car
ing very much before. You don't seem
to have a very comfortable life now,
do your"
Comfortable No. but I am free. T"
Sophy replied quickly. 81 can come In
and go out when I please. choose my
own friends. It's rather fine to be
here. you know-to be In the atmos-
phere. even II the umelight misses
one"
John sighed. and regarded her
thoughtfully. you're a queer little
girl, Sophy," he said. II don't know
how to advise you"
"Of course you don't" she answered.
mo one could. As for you. I suppose
you will marry Louise. What will hap
pen to you after that, I don't know.
Perhaps I sha'n't care SO much about
London then. You've made 1t very nice
for me. you know"
you've made II bearable even for
me-" he told her. II often think how
lonely / should have been without you
| to talk to. Louise sometimes Is de-
lightfully companionable. and kind
enough to turn ones head. Other days
scarcely understand her; everything
we say to one another seems wrong.
come away and leave her simply be-
cause feel that there is a wall be-
tween US that can't get over"
"There isn't really" Sophy sighed.
Louise is a dear. Considering every
thing. think she is wonderful. But
you are utterly different. She Is very
complex, very emotional, and she has
her own standards Of life. You. on the
other hand. are very simple, very faith
full and honest. and you accept the
standards which have been made for
you-very. very rigidly. John. What
are you looking at?'
| Johns whole expression had sudden
ly changed. His eyes were fixed upon
the door, his face was stern as a gran
lite block. Sophy turned quickly
around. The maitre d'hotel, with an
other satellite in his rear, was welcom-
ing with much ceremony two lately ad-
rived guests. Sophy clutched at the
tab e7cth. The newcomers were Lou
ise and the prince Of Seyre.
II don't understand this" John NUT
tered. his lips twitching.
Sophy Gerard said nothing. Her
cheeks were pink with excitement.
Suddenly Louise saw John and So
ply. She stood quite still for q mo-
ment: then she came toward them,
slowly and a little languidly. The
prince was still studying through his
eyeglass the various tables which the
head waiter was Offering for his con-
sideration.
"What an astonishing meetingr
Louise remarked, as she laid her hand
for a moment on Sophy's shoulder.
"What is going on behind my backT
John rose very slowly to his feet. He
seemed taller than ever. and Louise's
smile remained unanswered.
THE rain broke up my weekend
party" he explained, "and I met Sophy
In the Strand. In any case. / intended
returning tonight. understood that
you would not be here until tomorrow
about eleven o'clock.
Those were my plans" Louise re.
piled; "But. as you see, other things
have interviewed Our little house
party, too, was broken up by this abom.
Il