The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1893-05-18

Ur0u, CapuVaLlng accent tnaL ne1Snteneu
the effect of his dry u~tterances.
I'm tell You what it is," the man said.
am see Boyle at luncheon today and
put your case to him. IF he reports fa-
vorably, I'll let you know this afternoon.
Don't hope too much though. If you
don't hear f.t,m me by 8 at the latest,
you'll know there's nothing to expect
from that quarter"
Mellicent grasped his hand in parting
almost affectionately.
Its a chance" she whispered as she
climbed the stairs at the east side board
ing house. IF I get it, why, I'm bound
to succeed. If / lose it, The girls
heart sank.
Go home? The worn face of her IA
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 suicide-or matrimony! These were
the only alternatives.
At A the maid brought a card to the
door. John Walker" Mellicent read
incredulously.
In the 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 as any time. You'll only
waste time fooling round here"
Milly regarded the speaker hopelessly.
1t was as though the walls of destiny
were closing in upon her.
81 can't, john" she protested, Ill
never rr.-omised. and you have no IL
cense."
But there's no need of a license
here" he returned, ignoring the other
clause of the girls objection. There's
al old friend Oh 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. Wen get supper at the Metropolis
and take the next train back to Boston.
/ must be at the Office tomorrow"
Mellicent shook her head.
81 can't decide all at once John" she
entreated. 81 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 own shoulders.
The man consented grudgingly. Re
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. I won't have
my wife set up for everybody to stare
at" His words were harsh, but his eyes
were afectionate.
Mellicent nodded. II understand" she
gstprped; If I give upnow, it win be
for always"
Ill put on my hat" she added. I've
might as well go now and have it over"
IT couldn't help myself" she thought
YEARLY as she followed him into the
street. They wouldn't give HE a chance;
there was no way but this"
When che returned, there was a plain
gold ring upon her left hand.
Mellicent eyed it incredulously all the
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 wastebasket.
AS she crossed to the door her dress
brushed a yellow envelope from the table:
DEAR MISS DWIGHT missed Boyle at lunch
con. but waylaid him at the hotel this after
| noon and extracted his promise to give you o
| trial. WIN let You know about rehearsals later.
Lucky, wasn't 1t, that the chance came before
you left New York; Sincerely,
EDWARD ROBBINS.
At the foot of the stairs John Walker
| drew his wife's arm affectionately 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
that never was to be-" said Mellicent
\ steadily. sfYou must be hungry, John.
Win there be time to have a steak cooked
for u supperY'-Margaret Dodge in
Kate Fields Washington.