The Elk Mountain pilot., 1918-01-17
CHAPTER VII.

The first few minutes that John spent
In Louise's little house were full Of
acute and vivid interest. The room
that hc was SO eagerly studying con-
hrmed his cloudy Impressions Of Its
owner. There wns, for woman's
apartment, curious absence Of ornn-
mentation and knickknacks. The walls
were black and white: the carpet was
white; the furniture graceful In Its
outline, rnther heavy in build, and cov-
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 tnble, drawn
ap to the side of one of the easy chairs,
was covered with books and magazines.
some italian. few English, the great
.r part French; and upon smaller
,ne, close at hand. stood white bowl
tull Of pink roses. Their odor was
somehow reminiscent of Louise, curl
,usly 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
me door announced her presence. She
.ame in with Sophy, who at once seat
ID herself by his side.
1--WE have been making plans" Lou
he 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
1ay." 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 nui-
,ance of rehearsals. You couldn't have
eome mt better time"
Sophy glanced at the clock.
SWELL" she said. II must show my
respect to that most ancient Of adages
~ tuking my departure. 1 feel"
"You will do nothing Of the sort.
:hild." Louise interrupted. II want to
interest you in the evolution Of Mr..
5trangewey. We must remember that
L Is his first night in London. What
aspect Of 1t shall we attempt to show
him? Don't say q word, SOphy. 1t is
aot for US to choose"
"Tm afraid there isn't any choice"
John declared, his face falling. II
haven't any clothes except what you
zee me In"
"HoorayI" Sophy exclaimed. ION
with your smart gown, Louise! Well
be splendldly Bohemian. You shall put
IN your black frock and n black hat,
and powder your nose, and we'll all so
20 Guido's first and drink vermuth. l
:an't look the part, but can act 1t
"But tell me-" Louise asked him,
did you lose your luJgage?"
81 brought none," he answered.
They both looked ut him-Sophy po-
titely curious, Louise more deeply in
terested.
"You mean," Louise demanded, "that
after waiting nll these months you
started away upon impulse like that
without even letting your brother know
or bringing any luggage"
That's exnctly what I did" John
agreed. smiling. II had sovereign In
my POCKET Wueu huu pooehs AAAs
ticket. The joke of it was" he went
on, Joining In the girls laughter. that
Mr.. Appleton has been worrying me
Cor months to come up and talk over
reinvestments, and take control OF the
money my uncle left me; and when 1
came at last, arrived like a pauper.
He went out himself and bought my
shirt"
"And very nice shirt, too," Sophy
declared, glnncing at the pattern. do
tell us what else hnppened!"
"well, not much more" John re-
Piled. ''Mr. Appleton stuffed me full
of money and made M take little
suite of rooms at what he called a
more fashionable hotel. He stayed to
lunch with me, and have promised to
zee him on business tomorrow morn
ing"
The two girls sat up and wiped their
syes-
.Oh. this is a wonderful adventure
you have embarked upon" Louise e1-
stained. "You have come quite In the
night spirit. 1t IL your first night here.
Mr.. Strangewey. 10 warn you that
nuphy Ia the most irresponsible and
MceSrssu Of all my friends"