The Elk Mountain pilot., 1918-01-17
CHAPTER VIII.

The little room was gaudtly decorat-
ed and redolent with the lingering
odors of many dinners. Yet Louise,
who had dined on the preceding eve
ming at the Ritz and been bored, whose
taste in food and environment was al
most hypercritical. was perfectly
happy. She found the cuisine and the
Chant excellent.
1--WE are outstaying everyone else"
she declared; "and I don't even mind
their awful legacy of tobacco smoke.
Do you see that the waiter has brought
you the bill, Mr.. Strangewey7 Prepare
for a shock. 1t is fortunate that you
are a millionaire!"
John laughed as he paid the bill and
ludicrously overtipped the waiter.
"You are so convincingi" Sophy MUIR
INJURED. "But remember that your fu-
ture entertainment is in the hands of
two women, one Of whom is q deserv-
ing but struggling young artist without
the means of gratifying her expensive
tastes"
my children" said Louise, rising.
1--WE must remember that we are going
to the Palace. 1t Is quite time we
started"
They made their way down two
flights Of narrow stairs into the street.
The commissionnaire raised his whis-
tie to his lips, but Louise stopped him.
1--WE will walk" she suggested. This
way. Mr.. StrangeweyW
They passed down the long. narrow
street, with its dingy foreign cafes and
shops, scarcely one Of which seemed to
be English. The people who thronged
the pavement were Of a new race to
John. swarthy. little furtive, a class
Of foreigner seldom seen except in
alien lands. Men and women in all
stages Of dishabille were leaning out
Of the windows or standing on the door
sionally-young women Of all ages,
walking arm in arm. with shawls on
their heads in place Of hats-laughed
openly In Johns face.
"Conquests everywhere he goes!"
Louise sighed. 1--WE shall never keep
him, Sophy"
1--WE have him for this evening. at
any rate" Sophy replied contentedly;
"and he hasn't spent all his fortune
yet. I am not at all sure that shall
not hint at supper when we come out
Of the Palace"
"A pity he fell into bad hands SO
quickly" Louise laughed. "Here we
nre! Stalls, please, Mr.. Millionaire.
wouldn't be seen tonight in the seats
Of the mighty"
John risked a reproof, however, and
was fortunate enough to find a disen-
gagged box. They devoted their atten-
ton to the show, Louise and Sophy at
first with only a moderate amount Of
interest, John with the real enthusiasm
Of one to whom everything Is new. His
laughter was SO hearty, his apprecia-
ton so sincere, that his companions
found 1t infectious, and began to ap-
plaud everything.
1.-THE bioscope," Louise at last de-
cided firmly, II refuse to have anything
to do with. You have had all the en-
tertainment you are going to have this
evening, Mr.. Countryman."
''Now for supper. then," he proposed.
'Luigi's," Sophy declared firmly.
'The only place in London"
They drove toward the Strand. John
looked around him with interest as
they entered the restaurant. Luigi.
who came forward to welcome SOphy,
escorted them to one of the best tables.
"You must be very nice to this gen.
tleman, Luigi" she said. "He is q very
great friend of mine, just arrived in
London. He has come up on purpose
to see me, and We shall probably de-
eide to make this our favorite restau-
rant"
81 shall be vairy happy" Luigi de-
clared. with a bow.
II am beginning to regret, Mr..
Strangewey. that ever introduced you
to Sophy." Louise remarked. as she
sank back into her chair. You wont
believe that all my friends are ~
frivolous AZ this, will you1"
'.They aren't" Sophy proclaimed con-
fideutly. sJ am the ons paEDon who