Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1901-04-06

Madge WAS sitting there alone, sew
ing and singing gayly. She looked up:
with a smile, as George entered, and
an unusual merriment danced in her
eyes.
"Guess who's been hereY exclaimed
Madge.
s'Who?"
"Rex. And he's got box for The
Loves of Henrietta tomorrow, and he's
asked mother and me to go"
'T'm so glad" said George, but with
singular want of enthusiasm.
And Madge stole a furtive look at
her, and the corners of her mouth
quivered.
A month had passed. Once more
George stood at the same window,
softly humming. She was waiting for
Rex, and her face was very pale. 1t
was the same face still, but there was
difference, the difference which
marks every girls face when she be-
comes woman.
She had learned herAesson and borne
her punishment in silence.
Today she had nerved herself for
supreme effort that she might do no
wrong to the sister who had stepped
into the place she had voluntarily re-
signed. ~'~-~'t'a'''s"-s.-@ ,~a'
She had thought love not worth the
sacrifice of art, and if art without love
had turned to dust and ashes in her
hand who was to blame but herself?
She was waiting for Rex-Rex, who
had fallen such helpless victim to
Madge that he had had scarcely look
or word to spare for her the whole
month. It was this that had first
taught her what she had lost and that
had afterward nerved her to play her
parrt-for a weeks experience had
taught her that it was only 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, II am satisfied with my life as
it is"
"They shall never see am not salts
fed" she said and struggled on.
Today there was set, stern look on
her face, for this was to be the su-
preme ordeal, and at present there was
no one to see her. But as she leaned
her head listlessiy 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. = ~-'''s's sss''"ss.' '.'s.'N'a's
"The funeral and wedding marches
are side by side on the piano." she be-
gan, with an affected attempt at seri-
BUSINESS, "but was waiting to choose
between them till have seen your
face
"What does my face tell you?'' he
asked.
She looked at him critically.
"That the momenteus 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 morningg' 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.
sWhat 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 trern-
bling of the eyelid showed that she
was taken by surprise.
."My dear brother to be-" she said, re-
gaining possession of her hand, 81 con-
slider I have been grossly i'll treated in
having this fact sprung upon me so
suddenly. 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 i
purchase it in the assurance that !
should find a 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.
l feel unfit for conversation. You had |
better 60" And she turned majestical-
ly away.
II will. Only you must first allow me
to make one remark. You did not ask
what Madge said to me-" He. paused
"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.
George" he cried, hasn't the play
gone far enough? am tired of acting,
and | want you, Georgia. can't tell
you how much want your There was
entreaty in his voice.
What did you mean" she asked I
slowly, 'by saying you were tired of
actingY / don't understand" +
mo; knew" he answered guiltily.
I've got to tell you, Madge and /
ave been playing at being lovers dur
ng the last month. have even asked