Tombstone epitaph., 1918-03-10

voice a little broken. "You want me reallyf am to comeT
 T am sure." he answered steadfast- ly. q shall expect you at eight o'clockv'
 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 bor 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. a 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 fa- vnrite fower-sent in from the flor ist's: the table was lighted by pink shaded lamp. John went around the room, turning out the other lights, un- til tho npo r<vnant xvo e hume vxyith che d. 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 impatiently away from the window and glanced at the clock. It was almost eight. He tried to imag- inc that the bell was ringing. that So- phy was standing there on the thresh- old in her simple but dainty evening dress. with . little smile parting her lips. The end of 1t alli He pulled down the blind. No more of the win- dow. no moro looking out at the lights. no more living in the clouds! It 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 1t. he re- ceived a shock. A messenger boy stood outside. He took the note which the boy handed him and tore 1t open under q lamp. There were only c few lines {:
 John, my heart is breaking. but know you do not mean what you said. I know 1t was only . moment of madness with you. know you will love Louise all your life. and win bless me all your life b. cause I am giving up the one thing which could make my life . paradise. I shall be in the train when you read this. on my way to Bath. have wired my young man. as you call him. to meet me. am going to ask him to marry me. if he win. 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 . 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 si- lently.
 You can serve the dinner" John or dered. shaking out his napkin. "Open the champagne before you go."
 You will be alone, sir?" the man inquired.
 T shall be alone," John answered.