The Ordway new era., 1918-02-01

4
ever. and smiled up at him delightfully."-.
"How nice Of you to come and see
your poor. lonely brotherT" she said.
awe have done our best to spoil him,
but I'm afraid he il very homesick
sometimes. hope you've come to stay
a long time and to learn all about Lon
don. as John Is doing. II you are half
as nice as he Is. we'll give you such q
good timer
From his great height. Stephen
looked down upon the girls upturned
face a little austerely. She chartered
away. entirely unabashed.
II do hope you're not shocked ut my
bursting In upon your brother like
thisi We really are great pals. and I
live only Just across the way. We are
much less formal up here, you know.
than you are In the country. John. I've
brought you message from Louise.
"About tonightf
She nodded.
aLouIse Is most frightfully sorry,"
she explained, ''but she has to go down
to Streatham to open a bazaar, and she
can't possibly be back in time to dine
before the theater. Can you guess what
she dared to suggest7"
sT think I cnn," John replied. smiling.
"Say you will, there's a dear," she
begged. az am not playing tonight.
May Enser is going on in my place. We
arranged 1t a week ago. had two
fines to pay on Saturday, and haven't
had a decent meal this week. But
had forgotten" she broke off, with
sudden note of disappointment in her
tone. There's your brother. I mustn't
take you away from him."
"wem all have dinner together"
John suggested. "You1l come, Of
course, Stephen7"
Stephen shook his head.
"Thank you," he said. II am due at
my hotel. I'm going back to Cumber-
land tomorrow morning, and my errand
is already done"
"You will do nothing of the sort !"
John declared.
'Please be amiable," Sophy begged.
eff you won't come with us, shall
simply run away and leave you with
John. You needn't look at your
clothes,- she went on. ave can go to
I want you to tell me all about Cum
berland. where this brother of yours
lives. He doesn't tell us half enoughi"
John passed his arm through his
brothers and led him away.
"Come and have a wash, old chap"
he said.
They dIned together at Luigfs,
curiously assorted trio-Sophy. be-
tween the two men, supplying a dis
tinctly alien note. She was always
gay, always amusing, but although she
addressed most of her remarks to
Stephen, he never once unbent- He ate
and drank slmry. seldom speaking Of
himself or his plans, and firmly mega
living all their suggestions for the re-
mainder of the evening. Occasionally
he glanced at the clock. John became
conscious of certain feeling Of Curl
osity, which in Q sense Sophy shared.
"Your brother seems to me like q
man with a purpose" she said, as they
stood in the entrance hall on their way
out of the restaurant. Like q prophet
with mission. perhaps should say
John nodded. In the little passage
where they stood. he and Stephen
seemed to dwarf the passers-by. The
men, in their evening clothes and pallid
faces, seemed suddenly Insignificant.
and the women like dolls.
'For the last time. Stephen" John
said, won't you come to q music hall
with us7"
II have made my plans for the eve
ming. thank you." Stephen replied,
holding out his hand. "Good night 7"
He left them standing there and
walked of down the Strand. John, look
ing after him, frowned. He was con-
scious Of a certain foreboding.
"I suppose" Sophy sighed, as they
waited for a taxicab. 1--WE shall spend
the remainder of the evening in the
usual fashlonw
'.Do you mind7" John asked.
"No." she assented resignedly. '~That
play will end by making a driving
idiot of me. If Louise is tired tonight,
though. I warn you that shall insist
upon supper"
Its a bargain" John promised.
"We'n drive Louise home. and then I'll
take you back to Luigi's. We haven't
been out together for some time. have
we?"
She looked uf ct him with little
grimace and patted his hand.
"You have neglected me-" she said.
II think all these fine ladies have
turned your head"
She drew a little closer to him and
passed her arm through his. John
made no responsive movement he was
filled with resentment at the sensation
of pleasure that her affectionate ges-
ture give him.
The curtain was up and the play in
progress when they reached the boz