The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1900-09-12
THE LAST WORD.

1
~ expect SHE meant to surprise YOU.
| Frank"
at certainly IL odd" he answered,
quietly. then turned the conversation
to other matters; and Mrs. Dudley
hoped that she had been mistaken In
| thinking that he was annoyed. for she
| both liked and respected her future
| sOii-n'law, aud was thankful that her
child had chosen 40 wisely aud well. for
Jonn's wllful ways often filled the
| fond, weak mothers heart with
anvloua fcnr.
why did ycu not tel me. Jonn2"
he asked, ropronchrully, when they
were alone together.
81 did tell you that Laura would
not hear of my giving II up."
And Inurn's wishes are more to
you than mine"
| Don't he cross with me. Frank. the
very first time we are together, after
| all these days" SHE said. softly. Then.
MS he made no answer, her manner
changed. ~ cannot help II II you dis
| approve" she snid curtly. "You viii
| please 10 understand In the future that
| decline TO obey unreasonable com
mnnds. ! have promised Laura and
| Mr.. Snngstpr-to act. and I mean to
keep my PROMISE" Then. ms no an.
swcr was made To this speech. she
went ON passlonntrly. II am not your
wife yet, and II this II the sort Of
| treatment | am to expect, hope never
shall be-"
"Do you mean that, JoanY'
"Ncs; If you expect mo to be- your
slave"
81 have no wish FOR that; but | Ger
| tninly hope that my wishes will br of
more consequence To you than those
of mere strangers"
And what about my wishes? Are
they to count for nothing? We have
made n mistake. give you back
| your liberty. and claim my own
Frank Clements face grew white
and set, and Joan hardly recognized
| his voice when. after pause, he sald,-
as that your Inst word, JoanW
The girl hcsitntcd. half frightened mt
| the effect of her words. Then came
| the thought. "IIc loves me too well
| to give me up" SO with nm angry, will
| full gesture Joan turned away with the
| one word, Eyes" and walked to the
| window.
At the sound of the opening door she
looked round, just In time to see II
close behind her lover, and the sight
recalled her to her senses.
| Frank" she cried, springlng to-
| wards II. "Frnnk. | did not mean It."
But she was too late. Her words were
unhcard. Ere she could reach the hall
Frank Clements had left the house,
without one word or look of farewell,
and Joan was alone. "IIe will come
back" the girl told herself; but as
each day passed and her lover neither
came nor wrote, Joan's heart grew snd
and heavy with fear and misery. and
she realized how deep and strong was
her love for the man, "whosc wife,"
she had said In her wllful anger, "she
hoped she would never become" But
calling pride to her aid, the girl spoke
no word, gave no sign of the misery
she was enduring. nor did she throw
up her part in the theatricals. On the
contrary, she entered into the prepara-
tlons with eager excitement, and was
to all appearance full of gaiety and en-
| joyment, accepted Mr.. Sangstcr's com
| pllments and attentions with an almost
reckless defiance, and to her mothers
gentle pleadngs and rcmonstrances
turned a deaf ear.
80 II Is all over ana ended" said
Joan, In Il tone almost of relief, as she
and Mr.. Sangster stood alone together
In the temporary green-room, after re-
ceiving the applause and congratula-
tions that had been called forth by the
success of the playa success mainly
due to the acting of Miss Dudley and
Mr.. Sangster. so said the audience.
"The play" he answered, drawing
nearer to her; "but not the reality Of
our happiness; that they only begun,
JOAN" putting, as he spoke. his arm
around her waist, and lmprinting n
light kiss on her cheek; but ere he
could say another word Joan had flung
herself free, and was demanding, with
blazing eyes, How he dared to insult
herT
'Dared! Why Joan" with laugh,
81 should have been laggart indeed
If, after all the encouragement you
have given"
81 gave you encouragement" gasped
the girl, horror-stricken mt the effects
Of her folly. Then, drawing herself
up proudly, you forget that you
speak to Frank Clements, afiianced
wife,"
1T Is not easy to remember" he re-
piled, with smile, when the
atfianced husband goes off for an in
definite time, and not alone" meaning
ly.
''For IN indefinite time! Not alone!
What do you meani"
"And without telling his lady-love.
apparently. Is it any wonder il she
consoles herself In his absence as you
have done, my fair Amaryllis." added