The Elk Mountain pilot., 1918-02-14

| er's. Lately he has been bothering .
little more than usual-in fact. sup
pose I have received what might be
called an ultimatum. he came up yes
terday. and I went out with him last
night. He has gone back to Bath this
morning. and have promised to let
him know in a month. think that Is
why went out to Waterloo bridge in
macintosh and got wet"
"Do you like himT John asked prac-
tically.
II like him. suppose" Sophy sighed.
''That's the worst of 1t. If didn't like
him, there might be some chance. I
can't realize myself ever doing more
than liking him In a mild sort of way /;
and IL he expected more, as Of course
he would, then should probably hate
him. He tried to kiss me on the way
to the station, and nearly scratched
him. That isn't like me. you know.
rather like being kissed sometimes"
John buried himself in the wine-list.
"Well," he admitted. at doesn't
sound very hopeful. I'm no sort of
Judge in these matters, but I have
heard lots Of people say that one gets
on all right after marriage without car
ing very much before. You don't seem
to have a very comfortable life now,
do you"
"Comfortable1 No. but I am free"
Sophy replied quickly. II can come in
and go out when please, choose my
own friends. It's rather fine to be
here, you know-to be in the atmos-
phere, even If the Nmelight misses
one"
John sighed, and regarded her
thoughtfully. you're a queer little
girl. sophy," he said. II don't know
how to advise you"
"Of course you DON'T" she answered.
mo one could. AS for you. suppose
you will marry Louise. What will hap
pen to you after that, I don't know.
Perhaps I sha'n't care SO much about
London then. You've made 1t very nice
for me, you know"
you've made Il bearable even for
me-" he told her. Il often think how
lonely should have been without you
lightfully companionable, and kind
enough to turn ones head. Other days
I scarcely understand her; everything
we say to one another seems wrong.
I come away and leave her simply be-
cause I feel that there IL a wall be-
tween US that can't get over"
'"There isn't really" Sophy sighed.
Louise is a dear. Considering every
thing. think she is wonderful. But
you are utterly different. She is very
complex, very emotional, and she has
her own standards Of life. You, on the
other hand, are very simple. very faith
full and honest, and you accept the
which have been made for
you-very. very rigidly, John. What
are you looking at7"
Johns whole expression had sudden
ly changed. His eyes were fixed upon
the door. his face was stern as a gran
ite block. Sophy turned quickly
around. The maitre d'hotel, with an
other satellite in his rear, was welcom-
ing with much ceremony two lately ad-
rived guests. Sophy clutched at the
taIeJoth. The newcomers were Lou
Use and the prince of Seyre.
II don't understand this II John NUT
tered. his lips twitchipg.
Sophy Gerard said nothing. Her
cheeks were pink with excitement.
Suddenly Louise saw John and So
ply. She stood quite still for a mo-
ment; then she came toward them,
slowly and a little languidly. The
prince was still studying through his
eyeglass the various tables which the
head waiter was offering for his con-
"What an astonishing meeting !"
Louise remarked. as she laid her hand
for a moment on Sophy's shoulder.
"What is going on behind my back?"
John rose very slowly to his feet He
seemed taller than ever. and Louise's
smile remained unanswered.
'The rain broke up my weekend
party" he explained. "and met sophy
In the Strand. In any case. 1 intended
returning tonight. I understood that
you would not be here until tomorrow
about eleven O'Clock.
Those were my plans," Louise re-
piled; 'But, as you see, other things
have intervened. Our little house
party, too. was broken up by this abom-
lnable weather, and we all motored up
to town. The Faradays have gone
home. The prince heard from Miles
that was at home, and telephoned
me to dine. Me voicir
John was struggling with crowd Of |
hateful thoughts. Louise was wearing
a wonderful gown; her hair was beau
tifully arranged; she had the air of
a woman whose toilet was complete |
and perfect down to the slightest de-
tail. The princes slow drawl reached
them distinctly.
ut was my servants fault, I sup
pose." he said. II told him to ring up |
last night and order the table for two |