The Elk Mountain pilot., 1918-02-14

as I am concerned" John answered
ut is Louise Maurel. I thought 20,
must have guessed"
The two men looked at each othe
in silence for some moments. Out OF
the river little tug was hooting Wig
orously. The roar of the Strand came
family into the room. On the mantel
piece very ornate French clock was
ticking lightly. All these sounds
seemed suddenly occentuated. They
beat time to silence almost tragical
in its intensity.
Graillot took out Ms handkerchief
and dabbed his forehead. He had writ.
ten many plays, and the dramatic in.
stinct was strongly developed in him.
'1ouisei" he muttered under his
breath.
"She is very different. know" John
went on, after a moments hesitation.
"She is very clever and great artist,
and she lives in an atmosphere of
which. a few months ago. knew moth
ing. I have come up here to try to
understand, to try to get little nearer
to her."
There was another silence. this time
almost an awkward one. Then Grail
lot rose suddenly to his feet.
II will respect your confidence" he
promised, holding out his hand.
"Have no fear Of that. am due now
at the theater. Your tea is excellent,
and such little cakes never tasted be-
FORE"
''You will wish me good luck7"
"No!"
"Why not1" John demanded, a little
startled.
Because" Graillot pronounced.
''from what have seen and know of
you both, there are no two people in
this world less suitable for each other"
"Look here" John expostulated. u
don't want you to go away thinking SO.
You don't understand what this means
to me-"
perhaps not, my friehd." Graillot
replied, "but remember that 1t is at
least my trade to understand men and
women. have known Louise Mau.
rel since she was child"
'Then 1t is whom you don't un.
derstand."
''That may be so." Graillot confessed
.One makes mistakes. Let US leave
1t at that. You are a young man OF
undeveloped temperament. You may
be capable of much which at present
I do not find in YOU"
"Tell me the one quality In which
you consider me most lacking" John
begged. II want you on my side. Grail
lot"
"And l." Graillot replied. as he SHOOK
his friends hand and hurried OF
want only to be on the side that will
mean happiness for you both"
He left the room little abruptly
John walked back to the window, op
pressed with a sense Of something
almost ominous In the Frenchman's
manner. something which he could moi
fathom, against which he struggled ir
vain. Side BY. side with it, there
surged into his memory the disquie
tude which his present relations witt
Louise had developed. She was always
charming when she had any time tt
spare-sometimes almost affectionate
On the other hand, he was profoundly
conscious of her desire to keep hin
at arms length for the present.
He had accepted her decision with
out a murmur. He made but few ef
forts to see her alone, and when they
met he made no special claim upor
her notice. He was serving his appren
ticeship doggedly and faithfully. YET
there were times like the present wher
he found his task both hateful and diff
flcult.
He walked aimlessly backward ant
forward. chatting against the restraint
Of the narrow walls and the low cell
ing. A sudden desire had seized hin
to ny back to the hills. wreathed ir
mist though they might be; to struggle
on his way through the binding rain
to drink down long gulps Of his OWE
purer. less civilized atmosphere.
The telephone bell gang. He placed
the receiver to his ear almost me
chanically.
"Who 10 itr' he asked.
LADY Hilda Mulloch Ii asking fol
you. SIR" the hail porter announced.
Lady Hilda peered around Johns
room through her lorgnette. and did
not hesitate to express her dissatisfac
don.
NY dear man" shs sDclaimsd