Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1894-09-28

deed. Early the next day, day
when Stern had no copying" to do
in the city, a letter arrived from Tai
bot inclosing two tickets for the
theater. The letter ran: 81 want you
and your father both to see this piece.
II was produced last night with the
greatest success. After you have both
seen it, I'll tell you why l am SO
anxious you should 60 have in
closed some press cuttings which will
give you an idea of the plot and the
way it is staged. I'm sorry can't
come; but have a little business to
tr insact with dad"
1t was the first time he had men
toned that ominous person. dad"
suddenly doomed up very large in
Hates thoughts. Villiers, 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"
Stern had carried the boards that adj
vertised it's FIRST night" TO Kate's
great establishment, her father re-
fused to go. She pressed him why
II 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. II 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. built high
hopes upon it, my dear; put my whole
heart into it, and fondly dreampt it
would lift from me burden of debt
and give me h name. signed it with
a nom de gue're, and sent it to drama
list called Fielding Clark. l called
upon him afterwards and asked his
opinion of the play. He told me he had
lost it. Then, KITE, 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
that accident" she cried, you might
have been great man! Never
mindr
NO" said Stern, YEARLY passing
his hand over his forehead, never
mind. But what have you got in your
hand?'
They are the press notices of the
new play. They came with the tickets"
well, my dear, I'm just going to
have pipe at the back of the house;
I'll look over them. Perhaps Ill go,
after all. You are entering soon on a
new life, and it's about time 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, SHINY built, and of a
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's?"
Eyes, answered Kate, feeling cold,
this is Mr.. Sterns."
And if | judge Alright" said the
stranger still more blandly, you are
Miss Kate Stern. May / have the
honor of few moments conversation
with you? My name is Barry Vii
liers.
Talbots father! The omnous dad
in the background! With 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., yillers.
Your son has told me that he loved
me. and am not ashamed OF return.
ing his love-
Villiers bowed. "A boy aud girl at.
tachment," he said, airily. II heard
of it from my sons lips to-day Oh
course it cannot proceed. 1t is folly!
but then, when were lovers wise2 !
can assure you, Miss Stern though
fully approaching your affection fol
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. is that YOU
sons message?"
"No-of course not. | am here tt
reason with you You are mere
child; | am a man of the world. We
look at things from different stand
points, But a marriage is impossible
Your position"
you mean" interrupted Kate, "that
you are rich and am poor"
Exactly In all other respects yor
are no doubt my sons equal; but this
unfortunate circumstance is sufficien
to restrain me from giving my consent
cannot see my sons prospect:
blighted. l am willing to pay an,
price"
Hates eyes blazed The suave, in
sinuating manner % Talbots dad
reused her. HIS way of putting ;
price on the affections brought bacl
her color. My price" she said, scorn
fully, "for what? The love | bea
him?"
Z villiers coolly changed his tactics
Pardon me; ! was wrong. | ough
not to have made such suggestion
But you say you love my son. Well