Tombstone epitaph., 1918-01-13
CHAPTER VII.

N
The first few minutes that John spent
In Louise's little house were full Of
acute and vivid interest. The room
that he was SO eagerly studying con-
6rmed his cloudy impressions Of Its
owner. There was, for a woman's
apartment, q curious absence Of Crnn-
mentation and knickknacks. The walls
were black and white; the carpet was
white; the furniture graceful in Its
outline. rather heavy in build. and SOW
cred with old-rose colored chints.
There were water-colors upon the wall,
some small biack-and-white fantasies,
puzzling to John. who had never even
heard the term futurist. A table, drawn
ap to the side Of one Of the easy chairs,
was covered with books and magazines,
ZONE italian, a few English, the great
sr part French; and upon a smaller
,ne, close at hand. stood a white bowl
full 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
lfcm under the canopy of apple-bios-
com. His heart began to beat with
pleasure even before the opening Of
he 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
be declared, '.for disposing Of you for
he rest Of the day."
John smiled happily.
you're not sending me away, then?
You're not acting this EVENING""
"Not until three weeks next Mon
say" she replied. Then. II you are
rood, 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-
rance Of rehearsals. You couldn't have
some at a better time"
Sophy glanced at the clock.
swell" she said, II must show my
respect to that most ancient Of adages
~ taking my departure. feel"
~You will do nothing Of the sort.
hid" Louise interrupted. Il want to
interest you In the evolution OF Mr..
5trangewey. We must remember that
L Is his first night in London. What
aspect Of It shall we attempt to show
him? Don't say Q word, Sophy. 1t Is
aot for us to choose.
I'm afraid there isn't any choice"
John declared, his face falling. Il
haven't any clothes except what you
zee me in"
.Hoorayw Sophy exclaimed ION
With your smart gown, Louise! Well
se splendIdly Bohemian. You shall put
m your black frock and a black hat.
and powder your nose, and we'll all 60
10 Guido's first and drink vermuth. 1
ean't look the part, but l can act it,"
But tell me-" Louise asked him.
did you lose your 10 eager
II brought none," he answered.
They both looked at him-Sophy po-
utely curious, Louise more deeply In
terested.
you mean" Louie demanded. shat
sfter waiting all these months you
sf.rted away upon impulse like that
without even letting your brother know
or bringing any luggageE
THAT'S exactly what I did" John
syreed, smiling. Il had q sovereign In
NV pocket when I had bought my
ticket. The joke Of II was" he went
on, joining in the girls laughter. that
Mr.. Appleton has been worrying me
for months to come up and talk over
,.,nxestmeuts, and take control Of the
nancy my uncle left me; and when
.,ne nj last. I arrived like a pauper.
he rent out himself and bought my
shirt"
.Apd a very nice shirt. too" Sophy
declared, gIancing at the pattern. Do
tell ms what else happened"
swell, not much more" John re.
oaied. mr.. Appleton stuffed me fuil
~ money and made me take little
sr,,. NJ rooms ut what he called q
nore fashionable hote. He stayed q
Iuneh with me, and have promised q
- him on business tomorrow morn
ing" -. 49,,
s0s this d Q wonderful adventur'
- have embarked uponr Louise e
sselmea, sYea havs come quite N m'
ss.S1 spirit u = yeur nrst night ban
=, arruneewuy, - warn yos d
- = H. nooe irrespcnsooSe -
S.Sssso g = ~ fsindA