The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1901-07-11

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Loves of Henrietta tomorrow. and he's
asked mother and me to go"
I'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
qulvered.
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 her lesson and borne
her punishment in silence.
Today she had nerved herself for a
supreme effort that she might do no
wrong to the sister who had stepped
into the place she had voluntarily re-
signed.
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 a helpless victim to
Madge that he had had scarcely a look
or word to spare for her the whole
month. 1t was this that had first
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 a 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
familiar whistle, and instantly her
expression changed. A smiling, ex-
pectant face greeted Rex as he entered,
eAA~O 0uO SIl uIilliLttl ltil WIFI
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 l 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"
rs it possible it is to be postponed
till tomorrow morning." And she held
out her hand with a playful gesture of
sympathy.
Wrong again. l see l 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, 81 CON
slider | have been grossly ill 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
purchase it in the assurance that |
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-
L feel unfit for conversation. You had
better 60" And she turned majestical-
ly away.
81 will Only you must first allow me
to make one remark. You did not ask
what Madge said to me-" He paused
impressiyely. "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 l want you, Georgie-I can't tell
you how much want you" There was
passionate entreaty in his voice.
"What did you mean" she asked
slowly, "by saying you were tired of
acting? don't understand"
mo; know" he answered guilty..
give got to tell you. Madge and 1
have been playing at being lovers dur
ing the last month. have even asked
her to marry me, and she has refused.
1t 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. I had to know whether
you loved me or not" he ended des-
perately.
at 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 wayT
There was a moments silence.
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