The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1901-05-23

taught her what she had lost and that
had afterward nerved her to play her
part-for a weeks experience had
taught her that it was only a part-of
careless Indifference and entire alb
sorption in her art.
When it seemed too hard for her, she
reminded herself sternly of her own
words, 81 am satisfied with my life as
it is"
"They shall never see l am not salts
fed" she said and struggled on.
Today there was set, stern look on
her face, for this was to be the SUI
preme ordeal, and at present there was
no one to see her. But as she leaned
her head listlessly against the window
there came from the hall the sound of
a familiar whistle, and instantly her,
expression changed. A smiling. ex-
pectant face greeted Rex as he entered,
and she scrutinized him with playful
anxiety.
"The funeral and wedding marches
are side by side on the piano." she be-
gan, with an affected attempt at seri-
BUSINESS, 'but l was waiting to choose
between them till 1 have seen your
face"
what does my face tell your? he
asked.
She looked at him critically.
'That the momentous question is to
be asked no later than this evening""
she replied. Good luck attend you"
wrong. Try again."
els it possible it is to be postponed
till tomorrow morning?" And she held
out her hand with a playful gesture of
sympathy.
"Wrong again. see must tell you"
He had seized the hand she had offer
ed and was looking her straight in the
face.
"What do you say to the question
having been asked already?"
The last month had wrought many
changes in George. She had, for one
thing, learned to keep her face under
control, and only the slightest trem-
bling of the eyelid showed that she
was taken by surprise.
"My dear brother to be-" she said, re-
gaining possession of her hand, Il con-
slider l have been grossly ill treated in
suddenly. l had heard of a delightful
little book called The Right Word In
the Right Place'-a help to those peo-
pie born devoid of tact. l was going to
purchase it in the assurance that l
should find paragraph entitled, What
to say to future brother-in-law,' or
words to that effect, and now you
pounce upon me like this and crush me.
feel unfit for conversation. You had
better CO." And she turned majestical-
ly away.
ST will. Only you must first allow me
to make one remark. You did not ask
what Madge said to me-" He paused
impressively. ''She has refused me-"
1t was his trump card, and he was
growing desperate. He took advantage
Of Georges back being still turned to-
ward him, and, creeping softly behind
her, took one glance at her face before
she knew he had moved.
1t was enough.
"Georgie," he cried, hasn't the play
gone far enough? am tired of acting,
and 1 want you, Georgia. can't tell
you how much want your There was
passionate entreaty in his voice.
''What did you mean" she asked
slowly, "by saying you were tired of
actingY don't understand"
''No; know" he answered guiltily.
give got to tell you. Madge and
have been playing at being lovers dur
ing the last month. l have even asked
her to marry me, and she has refused.
It was the natural climax to the play,
she said, and she told me to do it, be-
cause nothing else would put you off
your guard. l had to know whether
you loved me or not" he ended des-
perately.
'tIt was very cruel" she whispered at
last.
"Ah, George, don't!' he entreated.
II thought of that, but, honestly, would
you ever have known you loved me If
we had gone on in the same old way?"
There was moments silence.
81 should never have known I loved
you," she answered softly.-Chicago
Times Herald.