Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1899-01-20

II almost caught q title too. This is
the way l missed it. For, one thing,
mammals eagerness frightened him.
I'm sure he could see her shake as soon
as he appeared. I'm sure he saw her
nudge me. But that wouldn't have seri
ously mattered if he hadn't found me
OUT
Her lips curled in q one sided smile.
Il can laugh now. but really it was
provoking at the time. Eal-dear thing
ho was-hated the least touch Of unoOn-
vontionality in "a woman, and smoking he
considered only q little better than
swearing. BY the way, / m telling you the
truth about myself, Anne. It's such a re-
lief to tell it. never do except to rela-
tives. With men it's impossible not to
pose; they expect so much. Well. my dear.
l posed for Val for six long. weary
months. played the little lamb, always
with bit of needlework. practicing the
Madonna gaze, taking only one glass Of
champagne at dinners and declining
cigarettes with O shy, roproachful
glance. He used to tell me I was his
ideal, that it seemed profane to love
me, that nature knew what she was
about when she fashioned me like an
angel, etc. One day he walked into
Morley's, where l was having my por-
trait done, and found me with Mrs.
Sutton Vane. little monkey Of a wom-
an with fast manner, and whom he
particularly detested. We had bet on
as to which could blow the roundest
rings of smoke. I, his Madonna, his an
gel, his SNOW flower, won, while he, un-
seen by me, watched. Sudden business
called him away next day, business SO
absorbing he never came back. Mamma
has sat up nights with her finger to her
forehead wondering why. lam all blank
amazement when the subject is broach
ed. And here endeth the romance of
Lord Valentine Dunwearthy. 1t went
up in smoke"
"You weren't Q bit in love with
him.
"In lover No. I never loved anything
but this. Listenr'
She went to the mirror and looked
into it steadily for moment. then
turned to Anne, her whole expression
changed. The laziness Of glance van
ished. Sho flung up her head and
laughed joyously. To Anne's amaze the
lines from 1.-The Merchant of Venice"
where Portia decides to masquerade as
a man left her lips, at first tenderly.
with half hidden laughter. as school
girl confides secret, then with assur
ance, pretty swagger, delighted an
ticipatiOn.
Anne listened in wonder. The room
seemed to fade, the clatter from the
street became unreal, and it was not
Olga who stood before her. 1t was Por
tia glittering in queenliness and coquet-
ry, the perfume of an Italian garden
coming in with the sunset, o minstrel
louneing near her, swords distantly
clanking as waiting gallants moved.
Her voice had power and sweetness.
Her awakened face sparkled changeful
ly. She seemed possessed Of soul with
wings struggling to be free.
When the last word was spoken. she
sank down by Anne's side and seized
her hand.
"You liked it. see you did"
"Oh. where have you had the
chance
Didn't you know they went wild in
London society over my Constance in
The Love Chase? 1 played it at q
dozen houses for various charities. Oh,
the stage! That would make poverty
endurable. The life calls me, Anne. I
know its disadvantages. no one better,
but it's rare lot when you feel your
fitness for 1t. I'll never do more than
dabbls with it for amusement, but il
could If I'd been free to do as I
pleased, the world would have heard Of
me. Here's mamma, she broke of, the
light leaving her face. "She's coming
with hot milk to give me face bath.
BY the way, she loathes acting, even
my amateur work, but I've already
made arrangements with Mrs. Oswald
Morse to do Kate Hardcastle at Tuxedo
for the Working Girls library fund.
She'd have palpitation of the heart if
she knew it. I'll tell her the day be.
FORE"
Anne left her in her mothers hands
over a basin of steaming milk. The
meeting had left q unique and emphatic
impression on Anne.
IA woman with thistle down con-
science. q woman to pick the plums
from life with soft, businesslike fingers
and an indifferent air, 5 feet 8 Of radiant
selfishness-that's my cousin Olga"
she thought as she went down the
street, "but like her.
TO BE CONTINUED.