National Baptist world., 1894-09-28

| Rates thoughts VllllerS, senior, un-
accountably depressed her. She tried
to throw this depression off by telling
her father about the theater. The
play wa called "A Woman's Love y
Stern had carried the boards that ad-
vertised it's first night To Kate's
great astonishment, her father re-
fused to go. She pressed him why.
Il can't CO." said Stern gravely
Don't look so grieved, Kate. Let me
tell you why; then perhaps you will
understand me. A long time ago l
wrote play
You wrote a play!" interrupted
Kate breathlessly. Il knew, you
dear. old father, you were clever
Talbot said you were clever. He said
you had clever face"
Stern smiled sadly at this innocent
tribute. Writing play Kate, and
getting it acted are two very different
things | wrote this play in want, in
misery, and with an ailing wife by my
side. | wrote it in the odd moments
snatched from my work l built high
hopes upon it, my dear; put my whole
heart into it, and l fondly dreampt it
would lift from me burden of debt
and give me d name. | signed it with
nom de guerre, and sent it to drama
tlst called Fielding Clark i called
upon him afterwards and asked his
opinion Of the play. He told me he had
lost it. Then, Kate, lost heart. Pow
erty drove me from pillar to post, and
of the many things grew to hate, the
theater was one.''
Kate threw her arms round him and
kissed him. "And to think but for
t.at accident" she cried, ''you might
have been a great man! Never
mind!"
No" said Stern, wearily passing
his hand over his forehead, 'nevcr
mind. But what have you got in your
hand?"
They are the press notices of the
new play. They came with the tickets.
We'll, my dear, I'm just going to
have pipe at the back of the house:
I'll look over them. Perhaps I'll go,
after all. You are entering soon on
new life, and it's about time l should
throw aside my prejudices."
He fondly kissed her, and took down
his pipe. When her father was gone,
Kate drew in thought to the window.
To think how narrowly she had
escaped being dramatist's daughter.
While her mind was thus exalted, she
observed gentleman middle age at
tentively scanning the houses. He
was not prepossessing gentleman
He was dark, slimly built, and of
sarcastic aspect. At last he fixed his
gaze on to No. and opened the gate.
With vague misgiving, Kate ran to
the door.
Pardon me" said the visitor, bland
ly, but is this Mr.. Stern 50"
Yes" answered Kate, feeling cold,
'this is Mr.. Stern's.''
And if | judge aright," said the
stranger still more blandly, you are
Miss Kate Stern. May l have the
honor of a few moments conversation
with you? My name is Barry Viii |
liers''
Talbot's father! The ominous dad"
in the background! With a very pale
face, Kate ushered him into the house.
He politely waited for her to seat her |
self, then sat down.
Il fear" he began, II have called |
on a rather unpleasant errand. My |
visit concerns a Irritation between you
and my SON."
Kate caught her breath. There
has been no Irritation, Mr.. Villiers.
Your son has told me that he loved
me. and / ain not ashamed of return
ing his love-"
Villiers bowed "a boy and girl at
tachment," he said airily. 81 heard
of it from my sons lips to-day. Of
course it cannot proceed. 1t is folly;
but then, when were lovers wise? l
can assure you, Miss Stern, though
fully appreciating your affection for
my son, that you must give up all
thoughts of this marriage" He smiled
Give up all thoughts of it," cried
Kate, with pale lips rs that your
sons message?"
'No-of course not. | am here to
reason with you. You are mere
child; / am man of the world. We
look at things from different stand
points. But marriage is impossible.
Your position"
on mcdH, Interrupted hdLe, 'UndI
you are rich and am poor"
Exactly In all other respects you
are no doubt my sons equal; but this
circumstance is sufficient
to restrain me from giving my consent.
| cannot see my sons prospects
blighted | am willing to pay any
price"
Kate's eyes blazed. The suave, in
manner Of Talbot's dad"
reused her. HIS way of putting a
price on the affections brought back
her color. MY price," she said, scorn-
fully, ''for what? The love | bear
him?"
Villiers coolly changed his tactics.
Pardon me; was wrong. l ought
not to have made such suggestion.
But you say you love my son. Well
his career is in your hands. Will you
blight it? It rests with you"
You are putting the whole respon-
sibility of his future on my shoulders"
she answered, bitterly. rs that the
act of a gentleman? Is it the act of a
father who loves his son?"
Villiers regarded her more attentive
". His suavity diminished. 'You are
more clever" he said, coldly, "than
thought. l will say no more. If you
take my friendly visit in this spirit, I