The Meeker herald., 1901-08-31
So each evening while M.rth. slept

IKE robber to write without arous-
ing suspicion. He felt that 1t was
MS last chance 70 write something
worth while.
Several days later Pierre and his
wife went back to the city. He was
loath to leive; but Martins was hap
Py IN anticipation OF new triumphs.
her devoted count had promised to
open new, and yet more fashionble.
houses to Ter.
We will push your husband" he
said, in protecting tone.
Work, Pierre" added Martha.
The Endorsement OF the count is val
liable. Don't throw away the chance"
Pierre Dibreuil did not answer.
Nowadays he appeared to be indif-
ferent to all that went on around him.
one day at the end OF q melan-
eholy dinner tete-a-tete with Martha
he said:
by the way, the Gymna.e will pre-
sent play Of mine in a few weeks.
The newspapers made the announce
ment this morning"
What" exclaimed his wife, Curl
ously. "Iou have xaid nothing OF it
to mel"
What was the use2 1 have always
had such bad luck with my work that
have not mentioned this one even to
you."
Martha was satisfied and the
thought of play by her husband
Pleased her vanity. She liked to i'm
agine herself in box on the opening
night.
She kissed her husband on both
cheeks.
"Are you content2' he asked. anx-
iously.
Eyes indeed, my husband" ahe
answered.
When the time approached for the
representation Martha was happy.
For the newspapers contained many
advance notices and most Of them
spoke of the play as excellent.
The play presented at the Gymnase
was not comedy, but q drama of
great depth and emotional strength
representing drama of the strong
est human emotions. The blase pub
lie was delighted. 1t was triumph
with few preceGents in the enthusi-
asms 1t aroused. It was masters
work that people said would place
the author among the rank Of the
worlds foremost dramatiSts.
Martha, charmingly dressed in
mauve, was in a box with . crowd
OF friends. among who was the per-
sistent count. From the first words
OF the play she was surprised. The
story acted on the stage was familiar
TO her. 1t seemed rs If she had had
the same experiences in the days of
her courtship. She clapped her little
hands in applause, proud to listen to
the clever words and charmed to zee
the dead days revived. She sought to
ylance in the eyes of her husband hid
len behind a curtain of the box,
In the second act tho action grew
quicker. A crisis came between the
nan and wi9e. The wcrds they spoke (
vefs those that had passed between |
Martha and Pierre. Evidently he had
nut his own experience into the play,
: was interesting, but what would
ONE next7 Martha had been so in.
Eiherent to Pierre that she could not
'uess.
The third act was admirable. In
he drama the suffering of her hus-
and was analysed with a masters
and, cruel in his resignation, tor
ure and tenderness. The role Of the
'oman was studied with a psycholo-
, delicate and hooking. It was q
Martha listened with beating heart.
Ach phrase spoken by the comedi-
NJ was for her like the stab of a
agger. Was it possible that she had
ade Pierre suffer like that? For by
lis time she knew that her true his
ny was being told on the stage.
Bravo" shouted the count, who did
1t understand the renl meaning of
Re play. "My friend, your husband.
q clever fellow, and we will make
mething of him."
But Martha did not answer. She r
lhed her emotion.
Take my arm" said the count. At ,
. end.
4Not to-day" she answered. T :,
all be proud to 90 ON the arm of nv :
sband."
Pierre followed her with difficulty.
king passage through the admir- h
crowd. When In the street his es
ends crowded to congratulate them.
ey wished to give them a supper.
len the supper had ended and they b,
'ched home In that house where
IRE had experienced so much hap
ess and grief. M,rtha fell ON her
ees before him and broke into tearn
Thirteen Not HssAes. da
Well. Miss Rinyham ;,nv