Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1893-12-01

was slim and blond and boyish, with a
droll, captivating accent that heightened
the effect Of his dry utterances.
"Ill tell you what it is," the man said.
"I1l see Boyle ut luncheon today and
put your case to him. II he reports IA
vorably, I'll let you know this afternoon.
Don't hope too much though. II You
don't hear from me by 8 ct the latest.
you'll know there's nothing to expect
from that quarter"
Mellicent grasped his hand IN parting
almost affectionately,
cts a chance" she Whispered as she
climbed the stairs at the east side board
ing house. IF / get it, why, I'm bound
to succeed. If / lose it, The girls
heart sank.
Go home? The worn face Of her fa-
Their, the shabby gowns and meager faces
Of her mother and little sisters, were a
constant reproach of her idleness. Write?
A years devotion to literature had bare
ly supplied her with pocket handker-
chiefs. Clerk Her handwriting was
bad, her accounts inaccurate. No; tights
-Or Buicide-or matrimonyl These were
the only alternatives.
At 4 the maid brought a card to the
door. John Walker" Mellicent read
incredulously.
In tho parlor below a tall figure rose
to meet her.
Look here, Milly," the man said de-
cisively. I've come to take you back
with me tonight. You might as well
marry me now rs any time. You'll only
waste time fooling round here"
Milly regarded the speaker hopelessly.
Il was as though the walls Of destiny
were closing in upon her.
II can't, john" she protested, I'll
never promised, and you have no Ii
cense."
But there's no need Of a license
here" he returned, ignoring the other
clause Of the girls objection. "There's
an old friend of mine, a Methodist min
lister, only a block away, who's all ready.
Why, Milly, it's the easiest thing in the
world if only you make up your mind to
it. Well get supper at the Metropolis
and take the next train back to Boston.
| must be at the Office tomorrow"
Mellicent shook her head.
II can't decide all at once, John" she
entreated. II must have time to think. "
She glanced at the black marble clock
on the mantel. Half past 4, In half an
hour her future would be decided for
her. 1t was almost a relief to shift the
responsibility from her W shoulders.
The man consented grudgingly. IRE
member, he said gravely, watching her
brown, piquant profile outlined against
the white window curtain, remember,
if you marry me you must give up all
those notions about acting. won't have
my wire set up for everybody to stare
at" His words were harsh, but his eyes
were affecticnate.
Mellicent nodded. II understand, -" she
returned; IF l give up now, it will be
for always"
"Tll put on my hat" she added. owe
might as well so now and have it over"
81 couldn't help myself" she thought
YEARLY as she followed him into the
street. "They wouldn't give me a chance;
there was no way but this"
When she returned, there was a plain
gold ring upon her left hand.
Mellicent eyed it incredulously all tho
time she was packing her trunk. The
notice books, the character photographs,
the list Of agencies and the letter of in
PRODUCTION she laid in the w~astebasket.
AS she crossed to the door her dress
brushed yellow envelope from the table:
DEAR Miss DwIGHr-I missed Boyle a lunch-
con, but waylaid him at tho hotel this after
noon and extracted his promise to give you a
trial. VIII let you know about rehehrsals later.
lucky, wasn't it, that the chance came before
you left New York? Sincerely,
EDWARD RoBnINs.
At the foot of tho stairs John Walker
drew his wife's arm a~ffectionately with
in his own. whats the matter, Melli-
cent?" he said gravely, ''you look as
though you'd seen a ghost"
"Only the ghost of a comedy actress
hat never was to be- said Mellicent
steadily. "You must be hungry, John.
viii there be time to have q steak cooked
for our supperF'-Margaret Dodge in
Kate Fields Washington.