The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1918-01-19

voice a little broken. "Iou want me
really2 l am to come"
II am sure" he answered steadfast-
". 81 shall expect you at eight
O'Clock I"
John went back to his rooms fighting
all the time against q sense of unreal
ity, sense almost of lost Identity
He bought an evening newspaper and
read it 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 a 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 q 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.
II was five minutes to eight, and
dinner had been laid at little round
table in the center of the room. There
was q bowl of pink rOses-Sophy's Ia
yorite fiOwer-Sent in from the flor
lists: the table was lighted by pink
! shaded lamp. John went around the
room, turning out the other lights, IN
fill 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
It was almost eight. He tried to fmag
inc that the bell was ringing, that So
phy was standing there on the thresh
old in her simple but dainty evening
dress, with little smile parting hei
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 tt
his lips and drained its contents.
Then the bell rang. He moved for
ward to answer it's summons witt
beating heart. AS he opened 1t, he re
ceived shock. A messenger boy stooc
outside. He took the note which the
boy handed him and tore it open under
q lamp, There were only few lines
John. my heart is breaking, but know
YOU do not mean what you said. know
II was only a moment of madness will
you. I know you will love Louise all you
life, and will bless me all your life be
cause 1 am giving up the one thing whicl
could make my life paradise. shall
be in the train when you read this. on m!
way to Bath. I have wired my youni
man, as you call him, to meet me. I an
going to ask him to marry me, If he will
next week.
Good-by! : give you no advice. Som
day think that life will right itself wit
you. SOPH4.
The letter dropped upon the table
John stood for moment dazed. Sud
denly he began to laugh. Then he re
membered the messenger boy, CAV
him half a crown, and closed the dool
He came back into the room and too
his place at the table. He looked q
the empty chair by his side looked a
the full glass on the sideboard.
, seemed to him that he was past a
sensations. The waiter came in s.
lently.
"You can serve the dinner" John OIL
!; dered, shaking out his napkin. cope
7 the champagne before you CO.
: "You will be alone, sir?" the ma
inquired.
Il shall be alone" John answered.