The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1919-06-13
CHAPTER VII.

The first few minutes that John spent
In Louise's little house were full of
acute and vivid interest. The room
CHAT he was so eagerly studying con-
frmed his cloudy impressions of its
owner. There was, for q woman's
apartment, a curious absence of orna-
mentation and knickknacks. The walls
were black and white; the carpet was
white; the furniture graceful in its
outline, rather heavy in build, and COW
cred with old-rose colored chints.
There were water-colors upon the wall,
some small black-and-white fantasies,
puzzling to John, who had never even
heard the term futurist. A table, drawn
up to the side of one of the easy chairs,
was covered with books and magazines,
some italian, few English, the great
er part French; and upon a smaller
one, close at hand, stood white bowl
full of pink roses. Their odor was
somehow reminiscent of Louise, curl
ously sweet and wholesome-an odor
which suddenly took him back to the
morning when she had come to him
from under the canopy of apple-blos-
som. His heart began to beat with
pleasure even before the opening of
the door announced her presence. She
came in with Sophy, who at once seat
ed herself by his side.
"We have been making plans" Lou
Use declared, ''for disposing of you for
the rest of the day."
John smiled happily.
you're not sending me away, then?
You're not acting this EVENING""
"Not until three weeks next Mon
day." she replied. 'Then, if you are
good, and the production is not post
poned, you may seat yourself in box
and make all the noise you like after
the fall of the curtain. These are real
holidays for me, except for the nui-
sance of rehearsals. You couldn't have
come at better time"
Sophy glanced at the clock.
"Well," she said, 81 must show my
respect to that most ancient of adages
by taking my departure. feel"
"You will do nothing of the sort,
child" Louise interrupted. II want to
Strangewey. We must remember that
it is his first night in London. What
aspect of it shall we attempt to show
him? Don't say a word, Sophy. 1t is
not for US to choose"
'I'm afraid there isn't any choice"
John declared, his face falling. II
haven't any clothes except what you
see me in"
''Hooray!" Sophy exclaimed. ION
with your smart gown, Louise! Well
be splendidly Bohemian. You shall put
on your black frock and a black hat,
and powder your nose, and Wen all go
to Guido's first and drink vermuth. |
can't look the part, but 1 can act it !"
''But tell me-" Louise asked him,
"did you lose your luggage?"
81 brought none," he answered.
They both looked at him-Sophy po-
litely curious, Louise more deeply in
tereSted.
''You mean" Louise demanded, shat
after waiting all these months you
started away upon impulse like that
without even letting your brother know
or bringing any luggage?'
"That's exactly what I did," John,
agreed, smiling. Il had sovereign in
my pocket when had bought my
ticket. The joke of it was" he went
on, joining in the girls laughter, shat
Mr.. Appleton has been worrying me
for months to come up and talk over
Refreshments, and take control of the
money my uncle left me; and when
came at last, 1 arrived like q pauper.
He went out himself and bought my
shirt"
"And a very nice shirt, too" Sophy
declared, glancing at the pattern. DO
tell us what else happenedr
"Well, not much more" John re-
Piled. "NIr. Appleton stuffed me full
of money and made me take little
suite of rooms at what he called a
more fashionable hotel. He stayed to
lunch with me, and have promised to
see him on business tomorrow morn
ing"
The two girls sat up and wiped their
eyes.
"oh, this is wonderful adventure
you have embarked upon y Louise ex-
claimed. "You have come quite in the
right Ipirit. 1t is your first night here,
Mr.. Strangewey, so warn you that
Sophy is the most irresponsible and
capriclous of all my friends"