The true northerner., 1899-08-23
A SACRIFICE.


onel Langley, strobe up and down the
room, angrily displacing various chairs
and tables, whilst the boys cousin,
for he was not much more than a boy
in years, tried to pacify the trio.
"All right sir; go your own way; go
your own way and be -" The last
word was lost as the door slammed
behind the irate Colonel.
20, Ted! How can you be so fool
ishT' said Mrs. Langley, brokenly.
"How can you dream of marrying ii
vulgar, uneducated dancerT'
Mother" replied the boy. sternly,
81 love Madge Baptiste. and whether
she be dancer or duchess, million
airess or "A retired shopkeepr's daugh-
ter it can matter to no one but my
self if | really love her"
The mother recommended her hy-
sterical cries. The cousin, a fair pret-
ty girl about his own age, went to
him and rested her hand on his shoul-
der. Teddy, say no more now, but
come with me. Let us think the mat
ter over calmly"
The next evening Gwendoline stole
quietly from the house and drove to
the theater where Madge Baptiste
danced nightly.
1t was dusk when she arrived. She
sent up her card, telling the commits
sionaire that her business was urgent.
He returned with the information that
Miss Baptiste would see Miss Harper
for a few minutes. Then she found
herself in a small and dainty dressing
room. Clouds of soft. silken petticoats
lay here and there. \ large jar of
flowers stood on the mantelpiece, and
the dressing table was covered with
silver powder boxes, scent bottles, and
makeup utensils. Photographs of
actors, painters, and poets stood in
every available corner; old programs
i'll wooden frames and one or two
etchings hung on the walls.
Before n large mirror stood Miss
Madge Baptiste arranging her hair.
"Ah, come in, Miss-Harper. Excuse
the untidy state Of the room. | think
you'll find a chair. Let me see, |
don't think | have met you before
perhaps you are a journalist, Or"
mo. haven't ever met you before"
stammered Gwendollne, II came -
/ think you know my cousin, Mr..
Langley" She felt her face growing
red. She did not know why she blush
ed but this vivacious. beautiful girl
frightened her. She had expected to
find such different wOman-a vulgar,
ill-bred woman.
"Mr. Langley? Teddy! O, yes, l
know him well. SO you are his cousin?
Pleased to meet yOu-he is not i'll,
hopeY
mo, he is not ill.,"
20, that's all right. Ted and l are
fond of each other, you know; in fact.
we think of getting married soon - at
least, he thinks Of it, | didn't know he
had a cousin, such a pretty cousin,
too!" with laugh; "he kept that a Sc
cret."
Il really came TO speak about it
about this marriage said Gwendoline,
nervously. You know his people"
or Madge BSptiste turned sharp
ly from regarding herself in the mir
ror. 20, | understand. They have
heard-perhaps he told them; he said
he should. They object-ah? And
youT" She drew chair opposite the
girl, and sat down, and rested her
arms on her knees with her face be-
tween her hands.
II am only his cousin we have
been chums always. | said | would
see you, and tell you that his father
and mother were angry; that he was
merely boy and
Eyes, yes-I know-don't go on" She
looked Gwendoline up and down. She
saw her youth; she guessed the real
reason of her visit. Ted is boy in
years, l know, but he Is man for all
that He is % and l am %. Besides.
/ am only dancer, and he is Colonel
Langley's son. Please understand |
have-no-wish to-marry him-if his
parents object. | will tell him he must
go away and not see me agin. l shall
miss bin at first, expect. A dancers
life Is lonely one, you know. She has
so few friends, and unless she. All,
there is the call boy. Well, good-by-
and If l don't see-Teddy-again-say
good-by to him-for me-
But Miss Harper had risen, and was
holding Madge Baptiste's hands in
hers, whilst two tears ran down her
cheeks. 20, don't, please! How cruel
you must think me! / didn't mean 10
Il really didn't. But his mother was
so unhappy, and l thought you were a
Il mean, l didn't dream you really
cared for him. He shall marry you.
I know he loves you" and then she
burst out crying.
Miss Baptste Curtains waiting!
Hurry up!' yelled a small youth at the
door.
LET It wait; can't Gomez replied the
dancer, curtl,. Then in a soft gentle
voice to Gweldollne, "Don't cry, dear;
you have been ever so kind. l know
you meant well In coming. But don't
think / had better see him again;
you'll make n much better wife than
l." there was suspicious break In
her voice.
mo, no. said Gwendoline, between