The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1886-03-11


and she was herself again.
She turned toward the footlights,
with red lips compressed and shrug
Of the shoulders that quenched the
spark Of hope which for moment had
warmed his breast.
Glove is an interesting sentiment
on the stage" she replied coldly, and
that weary, half-scornful look habitual
to it settled once more over the beau
tiful, colorless face. "But they are
wise who allow it no closer contact
with their own experience"
What was the secret of her unvary-
ing hospitality to love.
Stanley wondered in vain, watching
the proud, statuesque face which wore
now the same expression that he had
seen upon it first, as of one who look
ed with WEAKNESS and half-con-
tempt upon all the world.
But he had his answer, and there
was no more to say.
Only one purpose was clear to him,
after that he would go away, for near
her he was like the moth that would
flutter about the flame, knowing that
only pain and death awaited him.
He did not intend to plead his
cause again, for somehow all his
hopes, his sublime faith in the con-
quoring power Of his love had sudden
ly come to an end. Yet he would al
low himself to see her once more, and
it would doubtless be in the presence
of her companion, just to say fare
we'll.
"Mrs. Arden is out, but will soon re-
turn" was the message that met him
when he preseated himself for the last
time at the young widows home.
And then, knowing him to be a fre-
quent visitor, the servant showed him
promptly into the further drawing
room, where cozy fire glowed invit-
ingly in the polished CRATE, to await
the return OF her mistress.
He sat for moment or two lost in
his own painful thoughts, when he
suddenly perceived that the servent
must have been mistaken, for certain.
ly that was Annie Arden's voice com.
ing from the conservatory just be,
yond.
"But think-think what my life was
Ada" she was saying, almost implor
ingly, "and do not ask me to love OF
marry again. Even him dare moi
trust, though my heart almost proves
a traitor when / listen to him."
There was some reply, in a low
earnest voice; and then, just as FREQ
rose to make his presence known, thu
half-open glass doors Of the conserva
tory were pushed aside, and Miss Som
erville stood there before him.
"You" she said, thrill Of gladnes
nlingling with the surprise in her lov
exclamation.
And then she came quickly to hi
side and caught his hand in hers, mo
tioning silence.
"Go in there now" she said, with
gesture toward the dimly lit conserva
tory, "and plead your own cause one
more. have been pleading it 70
you, and if you seek her now, Will
she is thrown off her guard, / believ
yes, / am sure-you will get the al
swer you wish"
"Oh, Miss SomervilIe, God bles
you" whispered Fred warmly, bu
half incredulously. "Is it possibl
that she cares for me, and was goin
away because of it, / only came
say goodbye"
"You will not go now, think" sal
Ada Somerville, with soft smile tn,
brought back all his faith and cou
age. 81 am sure she has loved you
long time, although she has struggle
bitterly with her own heart against
Her first marriage was SO miserab
; unhappy" she went on, shudderin
: as her low murmuring tones droppt
D lower yet, "that she shrinks with te
ror from the thought of trusting al
love again. You may guess som
< thing of her wrcngs and sufrerin
z when / tell you that when first m
y her, in the first year oil her marriay
e that snow-white hair matched tho
d beautiful eyes Of hers for darkne
$ Ali il you only knewl l was wi
Is her through it all But there"-pus
ing him gently toward the flowe
II room beyond-"go, and may happint
d attend youl"
e He went, and there among {
flowers and shadows he surprised /