Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-08-23

| true tnlS is OI us-OI you anu OF me; D0tl
working at the same elusive art, both need
ing help and sympathy, as only we of this
| life can need it. Come to me, Marguerite.
Let me help you.'
| "Oh! how good you are" cried Daisy, the
tears in her eyes falling suddenly to make
way for the happiness that sprung into her
face. 'How good you are! 1 do get dis
couraged, though try SO hard. Sometimes
| l have felt like giving up. Inever dared
| hope anyone like you would help me. II
you only will, shall improve so fast. /
shall not bother you much.''
Kildare was somewhat staggered, but one
| way to woman's confidence is as good as
| another. "Help you? We will help each
| side by side we shall be recognized
Daisy's face fell. ':Side by side" A
pale face with wistful eyes rose before her,
the face of the little leading lady, Miss
Elaine. She faltered the name, and Kill
dare was for a moment dashed. "She is
your leading lady, and, anyhow, 1 am far
too stupid. At this he gathered himself.
"Bird-poor little Bird He spoke
gently, as one speaks of tenderly regarded
invalid. ''She has no strength, no power
You can see that" and he lifted his eve
brows, while a smile of commiserative
kindliness softened the lines about his
light things am doing now, but as I mount
in my art must leave Bird-I cannot de-
pend on her,"
Daisy choked. She had understood that
the star and the little, pale leading lady
were matrimonially engaged. Besides,
even if the reported betrothal were not true,
somehow Birds faded cheek and wan smile
had made strong appeal to Daisy's
sympathies. Daisy remembered her at
school-a chubby, Hght-hearted soubrette,
and now her woman's soul was shocked at
Kildares easy dismissal of the matter.
''Poor little Bird" he went on, 'T think
great deal of her, and have tried to make
her days brighter. They will not be many.
l shall always be the friend I always have
been to her."
He shook his head, as if he had retired to
commune with his own tender heart.
Through the introspective Inconsistencies
of his expression shone what to Daisy
seemed unmistakable sign of feeling which
must be genuine since it SO betrayed itself
while the man himself had forgotten her
presence. She dared not speak, but as his
face cleared to recognition of herself, she
felt all doubts melt away. Her confidence
in all things good sprung joyfully to her
heart and belief in his integrity became a
conviction.
81 shall always feel kindly to the little
girl Kildare went on, ''but cannot
shackle my artist freedom with her in
capacity. 1t is for you to stand by me-
Again Daisy's gentle heart turned toward
Bird. She remembered the dog-like look of
devotion with which those sad brown eyes
often followed Kildare. Her woman's sym-
pathy was quick to realize the pain another
woman might find in loving and again she
she said: 'But-but," and again Kildare
understood.
81 suppose So" he sighed, shaking his
head as if to himself mo one was ever
kind to her but me- Yet, my Marguerite,
hers is shallow nature. a pet loves the
hand that feeds it. shall always be all I
can to her, but my work must go on, and
must have help"
Help" Daisy's breath came fast.
''The help OF strong, loyal woman's
nature. A nature like yours. To you I
come. We can stand side by side and work
together"
What do you want me to do?"
On his own account, Kildare a desire to
laugh. AS an artist he was filed with ad-
miration. He laid his hand over hers, as
it lay on the railing. and his voice athril
with passion and earnestness, the voice he
used in the third act, he said, bending his
head that he might speak more softly:
Daisy, have never before turned to a
woman as turn to you now. Let your gen. |
tie heart speak for me-
She moved back and lifted her earnest |
eyes to his. Then, with infinite pity and |
regret in her voice, and pink flush rising |
from throat to brow, she spoke: "Forgive |
me, you are so good-so kind! But-but-I |
don't love you. Indeed, indeed, L don't
at ALL"
Kildare was almost moved. He gathered
her in his arms and kissed her.
'Oh, please don't" she sobbed; please
don't! 1t is all so sudden. II will try to
love you, but IL can't all at once"
Glow long must waltz" he begged
She laid her hand against his to push him
back, and spoke with new and very sweet
dignity: 81 cannot promise to be your wife
till am sure l love you we'll enough to
make it right"
To Be Continued Neat 8u'sday]
Copyrighted, 1891, by the A,ahor's AHianos