Lincoln County times. (Jerome, Idaho) 1911-1919, 1918-01-31

| first time In his life of his own DELHI
crate accord, he kissed her-feverish-
ly. almost roughly.
"Sophy," he declared II have been a
fool have come an awful cropper,
but you might help me with what's
left. am going to start afresh. I
am going to get rid of some of these
ideas of mine which have brought me
nothing but misery and disappoint-
ment. I don't want to live up to them
any longer. ] want to just forget
them. I want to live as other men
live-just the simple, ordinary life.
Come with me- I'll take you to the
places we've talked about together. l
am always happy and contented with
you. Let's try tip
Her arms stole around his neck.
"John," she whispered, hiding her
face for a moment. "What can 1 say?'
What could any poor, weak little crea-
ture like me say? You know I am
fond of you'll haven't had the pride,
even. to conceal it!
He stood up, held her face for
moment between his hands, and kissed
her forehead.
"Then that's all settled" he de-
clared. II am going back to my rooms
now. 1 want you to come and dine
with me there tonight, at eight
o'clock"
Her eyes sought his, pleaded with
them, searched them.
You are sure, JohnT' she asked, her
voice little broken. "You want me
really? I am to conner"
81 am sure" he answered steadfast-
ly. 81 shall expect you at eight
oclock''
John went back to his rooms fighting
all the time against a sense of unreal
| ity, q sense almost of lost identity.
He bought an evening newspaper and
read 1t on the way. He talked to
the hall porter. he talked to neigh
Dor with whom he assembled In the
lift-he did everything except think.
In his rooms he telephoned to the
restaurant for waiter and with the
menu In his hand a few minutes later,
he ordered dinner. Then he glanced
at his watch-it was barely seven
o'clock. He went down to the barber
shop. was shaved and had his hair cut
encouraging the barber all the while
to talk to him. He gave his hands
over to a manicure, and did his best
to talk nonsense to her. Then he came
upstairs again, changed his clothes
with great care, and went into his
little sitting room.
1t was five minutes to eight, and
dinner had been laid at little round
table In the center of the room. There
was bowl of pink roses-Sophy's ia
vorite fiower-sent in from the for
lists; the table was lighted by a pink
shaded lamp. John went around the
room, turning out the other lights, I'M
til the apartment was hung with shad-
ows save for the little spot Of color
in the middle. An unopened bottle of
champagne stood in an ice-pail, and
two specially prepared cocktails had
been placed upon the little side table.
There were no more preparations to be
made.
He turned impatiently away from
the window and glanced at the clock.
1t was almost eight. He tried to mag
inc that the bell was ringing, that So
ply was standing there on the thresh-
old in her simple but dainty evening
dress, with little smile parting her
lips. The end of 1t ALL He pulled
down the blind. No more Of the win
dow, no more looking out at the lights,
no more living In the clouds 1t was
time, indeed. that he lived as other
men. He lifted one of the glasses to
his lips and drained its contents.
Then the bell rang. He moved for
ward to answer its summons with
beating heart. AS he opened 1t, he re-
ceived a shock. A messenger boy stood
outside. He took the note which the
boy handed him and tore 1t open under
lamp. There were only a few lines
John, my heart is breaking, but know
you do not mean what you said. know
1t was only a moment of madness with
you. know you will love Louise all your
life, and will bless me all your life be-
cause I am giving up the one thing which
could make my life a paradise. shall
be in the train when you read this on my
way to Bath. 1 have wired my young
man. you call him, to meet me. 1 am
going to ask him to marry me, If he will,
next week.
Good-byl give you no advice. Some
day think that life will right itself with
you. SOPHY.
The letter dropped upon the table.
John stood for a moment dazed. Sud
denly he began to laugh. Then he re-
membered the messenger boy, gave
him half crown, and closed the door.
He came back into the room and took
his place at the table. He looked at
the empty chair by his side, looked at
the full glass on the sideboard. 1t
seemed to him that he was past all
sensations. The waiter came in 81
lently.
You can serve the dinner" John or
dered, shaking out his napkin. "Open
the champagne before you CO."
"You will be alone, sir?" the man
inquired.