Tombstone epitaph., 1918-01-13

wonderful. but couldn't you concen-
trate It Just a nttler
He turned quickly around. She was
smiling at him most alluringly. Un-
consciously he found himself smiling
back again. A wonderful hght-hearted-
ness seemed to have come to him dur
ing the last few hours.
II suppose am a perfect idiot" he
admitted. II cannot help it am used
to seeing. at tas most. three or four
people together at q time. can't I'M
derstand these crowds. Where are
they all goingf Fancy every one Of
them having = home. every one Of
them struggling in some form or an
other toward luppiness!"
do you know" she pronounced Sc
verely. '.for young man Of your age
you are much FOO serious? I am quite
sure you coulc be nice II you wanted
to-" she continued. "How much are
you in love with LouiseT
"How much am I whatr'
'In love with LouIse?" she repeated.
"All the men are. 1t is a perfect cult
with them. And here am !. her humble
companion and friend, absolutely neg
lected!"
II don't believe you are neglected at
all." he replied. "You are much too"
He turned his head to look at her.
She was so close to him that their hats
collided. He was profuse In his apollo
gies.
TOO what?" she whispered.
TOO attractive" he ventured.
"It's nice to hear you say So" she
sighed.
She was unlike any girl John had
ever known. Her hair was almost
golden. her eyes a distinct blue, yet
from any suggestion Of insipidity. She
was looking straight into his eyes. and
her lips were curled most invitingly.
81 wish I knew more about certain
things" he said.
"Oh, why didn't you come beforeT'
she exclaimed. fancy Louise never
telling me about you. hope you'll ask
me to lunch some time"
I'll have a luncheon party tomor-
row. II you like-that is, II Louise will
come"
She looked up at him quickly.
Isn't Louise going to Parish she
asked.
Paris? 1 didn't hear her say any
thing about it."
perhaps 1t Is my mistake, then"
Sophy went on hastily. II only fancied
that heard her say So"
There was a moments silence. John
had opened his lips to ask a question.
but quickly closed them again. 1t was
a question, he suddenly decided, which
he had better ask Of Louise herself.
IF Louise goes to Paris" Sophy
whispered disconsolately, II suppose
there will be no luncheon-partyY
For a single moment he hesitated.
She was very alluring. and the chal-
lenge in her eyes was unmistakable.
Il think" he said quietly. that II
Miss Maurel goes to Paris. shall re-
turn to Cumberland tomorrow"
For q time there was a significant
silence. Then Sophy raised her veil
once more and looked toward John.
'Mr. Strangewey," she began, "you
won't mind II give you just a little
word Of advice7 You are such q big,
strong person. but you are rather q
child, you know, in some things"
"This place does make me feel igno-
rant" he admitted.
Don't idealize anyone here" she
begged. "Don't concentrate all your
hopes upon one object. Love Ii won
derful and life is wonderful. but there
is only one life, and there are many
loves before one reaches the end. PEG
pie do such silly things sometimes
she wound up, "just because Of little
disappointment. There are many dis.
appointments to be met with here"
He took her hand In his.
Little girl" he said, you are very
good to me, and I think you under
stand. Are you going to let me fee
that have found q friend on my nrsl
evening In Londonr'
IF you want me-" she answered sim
ply. Il like you, and I want you to b.
happy here; and because I want yor
to be happy, want you to come down
from the clouds and remember that
you have left your hills behind and
that we walk on the pavements here"
Thank you" he whispered, ~and
thank you for what you have not said
II am to ind sorrow here instead Of
Joy" he added, q little grimly, 1T I.
better for me to stumble into thu