Tombstone epitaph., 1918-02-24
CHAPTER xvii-continued.

"No one told me you were here. Have
you had any lunch?"
Long ago." Sophy replied. II have
been finishing your accounts"
Louise made a little grimace.
Tell me the worst" she begged
"You are overdrawn at your bank.
your bills are heavier than ever this
month. and there are i've or six special
accounts--one for some electric fit
tings. another for the hire If a motor
car-which ought to be paid"
Louise was looking up at the ceiling.
She sighed.
1T would be nice" she said. ITO
have someone to pay ones bills and
look after one. and see that one wasn't
too extravagant."
well. you need someone badly" So
ply asserted Il suppose you mean
to make up your mind to 1t some day"
Il wonder !" Louise murmured. did
you know that that terrible man from
the hills-John Strangewey's brother
has been here this morning7 He fright
ened me to DEATH"
what did he wantr' Sophy asked
curiously.
He was q trifie vague" Louise re-
marked. II gathered that If I don't
send John back to Cumberland. he's
going to strange me-"
Sophy leaned across the table.
Are you going to send him backT'
she asked.
II am in an uncertain frame OF
mind" Louise confessed. 81 really
can't decide about anything"
Il want to tell you this, Louise"
Sophy said firmly. "John Is getting to
know a great many people. and you
know how men talk at the clubs.
Aren't you sometimes afraid that he
will hear things and misunderstand?"
Il am expecting 1t every day." Lou
Use admitted.
Then why don't you end itT'
(which way?"
There was q silence between the two
women. The muffled street noises
from outside became the background
to a stiffness which grew every mo-
to her former attitude. She looked
steadfastly before her. her face sup
ported by her hands.
Sophy grew paler and paler as the
minutes passed. There was something
strange and almost beautiful in Lou
ise's face. something which had come
to her lately. and which shone from
her eyes only at rare intervals.
You care for him, I believed" Sophy
cried at last. You care for him!
Louise did not move.
why not?" she whispered.
There was q ring at the front door.
Louise, from her place. could see the
long, gray bonnet Of Johns car. Al
most before she could speak, he was
announced.
Its an atrocious time to come. I
know" he began apologetically.
you're in time for some coffee, any
how" Sophy told him cheerfully. And
I know Louise is glad to see you, be-
cause II you hadn't come. was going
to make her 60 through some ac-
counts"
You know I am always glad to see
you" Louise murmured, pointing to a
chair. ''Sophy and have been having
q most interesting discussion. but we
have come to a cul de sac"
Il really came" John explained, ITO
ask II you cared to come and see a
collection Of pictures. There's an Ital-
ian-a futurist, Of course-just un-
packed his little lot and set them up
over a curiosity shop In Clifford street.
he is sending out cards for next week.
but I could take you today-that Is,
II you would care about It We can
70 somewhere for some tea afterward.'
Louise made q little grimace.
What bad luck r. she exclaimed.
She stopped short. She felt that BY
her hesitation she had. in a sense, COM
mitted herself.
Il have promised to 60 and have tea
with the prince ut Seyre House." she
said. 1T II an engagement We made
last week"
John set down his empty coffee cup
with q CHATTER. An inexplicable but
dominating fury seemed to have sud-
denly assailed him. He took out .
cigarette and tried to light It. Sophy.
after watching him for q moment In
sstonishment, slipped out Of the room.
Louise came over to his side.
Are ron really 20 much disappoint-
cdr she .sked- II am 20 sorry! II
I lad known that you were coming for
ne. I would have kept myself free"
1T isn't that exactly" John an
swcred. IT'S something ! can't alto