Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1902-04-21


- thrust into his trouser pockets.
Mrs. Langley sat on the lounge sob
bling Historically. Her husband, Col
onel Langley. strobe up and down the
room. angrily displacing various chairs
and tables. while the boys cousin, for
he was not much more than Il boy in
years. tried to pacfy the trio.
"All right, sir; go your own way; go
your own way and be -" The last
word was lost as the door slammed be-
hind the irate Colonel.
20. Ted. How can YOU be so fool
ishy' said Mrs. Langley brokenly
How can you dream Of marrying Il
vulgar uneducated dancer?'
Mother" replied the boy. sternly.
Il love Madge Baptiste, and whether
she be Il dancer or a duchess, a million
airess or Il retired shopkeeper's daugh-
ter. 1t can matter to no one but my
self if l really love her"
The mother recommended her hys-
terical cries. The cousin. fair, pretty
girl about his own age, went to him
and rested her hand on his shoulder.
Teddy. say no more now, but come
with me. Let us think the matter over
calmly"
The next evening Gwendoline stole
quietly from the house and drove to
the theatcr where Madgc Baptste
danced nightly.
1t was dusk when she arrived. She
sent up her card. telling the commits
sonaire that her business was urgent.
He returned with the information that
Miss Baptiste would see Miss Harper
for a few minutes. Then she found
herself in Il small and dainty dressing
room. Clouds of soft, silken petticoals
lay here and there. A large jar of
flowers stood on the mantelpiece, and
the dressing table was covered with
silver powder boxes. scent bottles. and
makeup" utensils. Photographs of
actors. painters. and poets stood in
every available corner; old programs
in wooden frames and one or two etch-
ings hung on the walls.
Before Il large mirror stood Miss
Madge BaptiSte arranging her hair
"Ah, come in. Miss--IIarper. Excuse
the untldy state of the room. | think
you'll find Il chair Let me see, l don't
think | have met you before-perhaps
you are Il journalist. Or"
NO, | haven't ever met you before"
stammcred Gwendoline. 'I-came-l
think you know my cousin. Mr. Lang
1nx f.lt fn
She did not know why she blishei /,
but this vivacious. beautiful girl fright
ened her. She had expected to find
such different woman-a vulgar, i'll
bred woman.
MIR. Langley? Teddy! o. yes,
know him we'll. So you are his cousin?
Pleased to meet you-he is not i'll,
hope
NO. he is not ill.,"
20. that's all right. Ted and are
fond of each other. you know; in fact,
we think of getting married soon--at
least. he thinks of it. l didn't know
he had Il cousin. such a pretty cousin.
tool with a laugh; ''he kept that
secret"
Il really came to speak about it
about this marriage" said Gwendoline
nervously. You know his people,
90" Madge Baptiste turned sharply
from regarding herself in the mirror
20. | understand, They have heard
perhaps he told them; he said he
should They object-ah? And ,ou?"
She drew chair opposite the girl. and
sat down. and rested her arms on her
knees with her face between her hands
Il am only his cousin-we have been
chum> always. | said | would see Won.
ana tell you that his father and mother
We're angry; that he was merely a boy
and"
Yes. yes-I know-don't go on" She
looked Gwendoline up and down. She
saw her youth; she guessed the real
reason of her visit. Ted is a boy in
years. | know. but he is man for all
that. He is 22 and am %. Besides
] am only dancer. and he is Colonel
J4angley's son. Please understand
have-no-wish to-marry him-if his
parents object. l will tell him he must