The Elk Mountain pilot., 1918-01-17

ness seemed to have come to him dur
ing the last few hours.
II suppose I am a perfect idiot" he
admitted. II cannot help 1t. am used
to seeing, at tAs most, three or four
people together at time. can't un-
derstand these crowds. Where are
they all goiagf Fancy every one Of
them having = home. every one Of
them struggling in some form or an
other toward happinessl"
"Do you know" she pronounced Sc
verely, 'for young man Of your age
you are much foo serious? am quite
sure you coulc be nice If you wanted
to-" she continued. "How much are
you In love with Louise?"
"How much am what7"
"In love with Louise?" she repeated.
"All the men are. 1t is a perfect cult
with them. And here am I. 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
some trick of the mouth saved her face
from any suggestion of insipidity. She
was looking straight into his eyes, and
her lips were curled most invitingly.
81 wish 1 knew more about certain
things" he said.
'Oh, why didn't you come before?"
she exclaimed. "Fancy Louise never
telling me about you. hope you'll ask
me to lunch some time"
"Tll have a luncheon party tomor-
row. II you like-that is, If Louise will
come"
She looked up at him quickly.
isn't Louise going to Paris?" she
asked.
Paris? I 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 moments silence. John
had opened his lips to ask a question,
but quickly closed them again. 1t was
n 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-partyT
For a single moment he hesitated.
She was very alluring, and the chal-
lenge in her eyes wns unmistakable.
Il think" he said quietly, "that II
Miss Maurel goes to Paris, shall re-
turn to Cumberland tomorrow"
For 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 IL give you just little
word Of advice7 You are such big,
strong person. but you are rather
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 is Won
derful and life is wonderful, but there
is only one life, and there are many
loves before one reaches the md. Peo-
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 1 think you under
stand. Are you going to let me feel
that have found a friend on my first
evening in LondonT
'If you want me-" she answered sim
ply. II like you, and want you to be
happy here: and because / want you
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, "ahd
thank you for what you have not said.
If I am to find sorrow here instead of
JOY" he added, a little grimly, ''it Is
better for me to stumble into the
knowledge of 1t by myself"
"Your hills have taught you just that
much of life, them" Sophy murmured.
The prince Of Seyre handed his hat
and stick to the parlor maid and seated
himself upon the divan.
II should be very sorry" he said po-
litely, us the maid left the room, ''if
my coming has hastened the departure
of your visitors"
"Not in the least" Louise assured
him. 'Thcv were leaving when you
were announced. Sophy and are TAX
ing Mr.. Strangewey to Bohemian res
taurant and q music hall afterward."
fortunate Mr.. Strangewey" the
prince sighed. "But, forgive me, why