The Ordway new era., 1918-01-18


face.
There is no doubt about It," she de-
cided. Louise Is extravagant"
The door opened. and Louise herself,
in u gray morning gown of some soft
material, with bunch Of deep-red
roses at her waist, looked into the
room.
"why, little GIRL" she exclaimed.
show long have you been here"
"All the morning." Sophy replied. II
took the dogs out. and then I started
on your housekeeping book and the
bills. Your checks will have to be
larger than ever this month, Louise,
and I don't see how you can possibly
draw them unless you go and see your
bankers first"
Louise threw herself into an easy
chair.
Dear mel" she sighed. II thought
had been SO CAREFUL"
"How can you talk about being care
fulT Sophy protested, tapping the
pile Of bills with her foreflnger. you
seem to be overdrawn already"
IT will see to that" Louise promised.
1.-THE bank manager Is such charm
Ing person. Besides, what are banks
for but to oblige their clients7 How
pale you look. little grill Were you
out late last nightT"
Sophy swung around in her place.
II am all right. I spent the evening
in my rooms and went to bed at eleven
o'clock. Who's lunching with your /
see the table is laid for two"
Louise glanced at the clock upon the
mantelpiece.
'Mr. Strangewey," she replied. 81
suppose he will be here in a minute or
two"
Sophy dropped the housekeeping
book and jumped up.
"rd better go, then"
"Of course not" Louise answered.
"You must stay to lunch. Ring the
bell and tell them to lay place for
you. Afterward, If you like, you may
come in here and finish broodlng over
these wretched bills while Mr.. Strange
wey talks to me-"
Sophy came suddenly across the
room and sank ON the floor at Louise's
feet.
"What are you going to do about Mr..
Strangewey, LouiseT she asked visit
fully.
."What am going to do about him?"
"He is in love with you," Sophy con-
tinued. II am sure-I am almost sure
of it."
Louise's laugh was unconvincing.
"You foolish childw she exclaimed.
IT believe that you have been worry
ing. Why do you think SO much about
other people7"
"Please tell me-" Sophy begged. II
want to understand how things really
are between you and John Strangewey.
Are you in love with hint"
Louise's eyes were soft and dreamy.
II wish knew" she answered. "If
am, then there are things in life
more wonderful than have ever
dreamed of. He doesn't live in our
world-and our world, as you know.
has its grip. He knows nothing about
my art, and you can guess what life
would be to me without that. What
future could there be for him and for
me together? cannot remake my
self"
There was something in Sophy's face
that was almost like wonder.
$50 this is the meaning of the
change in you, LouiseI I knew that
something had happened. You have
seemed SO different for the last few
months"
Louise nodded.
London has never been the same
place to me since I first met him In
Cumberland" she admitted. "Some-
times I think I am-to use your own
words-in love with John. Sometimes
feel 1t is just queer, indistinct. but
passionate appreciation Of the abstract
beauty Of the life he seems to stand
for"
''Is he really SO good, I wonder"
Sophy asked pensively.
IT do not KNOW" Louise sighed. II
only know that when first talked to
him, he seemed different from any
man I have ever spoken with in my
life. suppose there are few temp
tations up there. and they keep nearer
to the big things. Sometimes Won
der. Sophy. If 1t was not very wrong
of me to draw him away from 1t all I"
Rubbish |" Sophy declared. "1f he
is good, he can prove 1t and know 1t
here. He will come to know the truth
about himself. Besides, 1t isn't every
thing to possess the standard virtues.
Louise, he will be here in a minute.
You want to be left alone with him.
What are you going to say when he
asks you what you know he will ask
you7"
Louise looked down at her.
Dear" she said, II wish I could
tell you. I do not know. That Is the