The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1919-06-20

for the first time.
4 "You would not know him." she re-
piled. "He is Mr. John Strangewey,
and he comes from Cumberland"
"Just happens that / do know him."
the young man remarked. Thought
I'd seen his face somewhere. Used to
be up at the varsity with him. I'll
speak to him presently"
II expect he'll be glad to meet you
again." Sophy remarked. HE doesn't
know a soul in town."
The dance was finished. They re-
turned together to where John was
sitting. and the young man held out
weary hand.
"Amerton. you know, of Magdalen,"
he said. You're Strangewey, aren't
your"
"Lord Amerton, of course! ~ John ex-
claimed. Il thought your face was ia
miliar. Why, we played in the rackets
doubles together"
''And won 'em, thanks to you" Amer
ton replied. "Are you up for long"
81 am not quite sure" John told him.
81 only arrived last night"
'Iook me up some time, if you've
nothing better to do" the young man
suggested. "Where are you hanging
outp'
"The Milan"
81 am at the Albany. So-long! Must
get back to my little lady"
He bowed to Sophy and departed.
She sank a little breathlessly into her
chair and laid her hand on Johns arm.
Her cheeks were flushed, her bosom
was rising and falling quickly.
81 am out of breath" she said, her
head thrown back, perilously near to
Johns shoulder. Lord Amerton dances
well. Give me some champagne
"And you-you dance divinely," he
told her, as he filled her glass.
'If we were alone" she whispered,
II should want you to kiss mel"
The stem of the wine glass in Johns
fingers snapped suddenly, and the wine
trickled down to the floor. A passing
waiter hurried up with napkin, and a
fresh glass was brought. The affair
was scarcely noticed, but John re-
manned disturbed and little pale.
"Have you cut your hand?" Sophy
asked anxiously.
"Not at ALL" he assured her. "How
hot it is hereI Do you mind if we go?"
"Go?" she exclaimed disconsolately.
81 thought you were enjoying yourself
so muchI'
$50 am" he answered, 'but don't
quite understand"
He paused.
Understand what?" she demanded.
Myself, if you must know"
She set down the glass which she
had been in the act of raising to her
lips.
"How queer you are" she MUIR
INJURED. Listen. You haven't got a
wife or anything up in Cumberland,
have your
you know haven't" he answered.
you're not engaged to be married,
you have no ties, you came up here per-
fectly free, you haven't even said any
thing veto LouiseT
"0f course not"
"Well, then" she began.
Her words were so softly spoken
that they seemed to melt away. She
leaned forward to look in his face.
"Sophy," he begged, with sudden and
almost passionate earnestness, "be
kind to me, please! l am just sim
pie, stupid countryman, who feels as
if he had lost his way. have lived a
solitary sort of life-an unnatural one,
you would say-and I've been brought
up with some old-fashioned ideas. ]
know they are old-fashioned, but ]
can't throw them overheard all at once.
have kept away from this sort of
thing. 1 didn't think it would ever at
tract mel suppose because l didn't
believe it could be made so attractive.
1 have suddenly found out-that it
does !"
"What are you going to doT" she
whispered.
''There is only one thing for me to
do" he answered. "Until know what
1 have come to London to learn, shall
fight against it,"
"You mean about Louise?"
81 mean about Louise" he said
gravely.
Sophy came still closer to him.
"Why are you so foolish?" she muir
INJURED. Louise is very wonderful, in
her place. but she is not what you want
in life. Has it never occurred to you
that you may be too later"
what do you mean?" he demanded.
81 believe what the world believes
what some day 1 think she will admit
to herself-that she cares for the
prince of Seyre."
HAS she ever told you SOP"
Louise never speaks Of these things