The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-02-17

it's shame to smear a face like that with
makeup. Shes new at the business, too, for
she's watching her neighbers and the leader
and has no time for chappies. But she'll
get over that in time.
The comedian danced out in front of the
girls ripple of laughter drowned Birch's
next words, and he did not turn to hear
Stanleys answer.
The latter had taken one long look. at the
girl and then had sunk back in his chair He
was not looking at the stage. now. Instead
ne was standing; in an old orchard, all
gnarled trees and duttering pink white petals.
AND 1t was quiet, so quiet that he could hear
the happy sigh the girl gave as their lips
parted, could feel the pulse in the slender
arm clasped about his neck. And the love-
light in her velvet eyes. The petals falling
tenderly on her soft brown hair!
He had meant to go back, but the firm had
changed his route. He had written to her.
was it twice or three times? And that last
letter of hers? A hot flush swept over him.
He had .never opened it because-Well, what
was the use? He was never going back to
Leydenville.
Lightly tripping, gaily skipping.
The line of girls, swung periIously near the
box, but she Of the velvet eyes was watching
blondined young woman directly in front
of her. Oh, if she slipped on that square
turn.
And in the back of the box white-faced
young man seemed to hear over and over
again:
And instead of loves paradise they find
hell"
The curtain fell for the last time. The or
chestra burst into an inspiring march Birch
was chatting joyially with his firms guests.
The manager of the house is personal
friend of mine and I've asked him to bring
half dozen CT the girls over. to supper.
You'll find them rather jolly lot
| The westerners accepted the suggestion with
good natured raillery. 1t would be something
to tell with gusto when they reached home,
this supper with group of pretty singers.
One man jerked on his coat with the remark:
You're al. right, Birch but don leave out
| that little peach on the end Of the second row.
Shes got the eyes all right"
Stanley started as if stung. He gripped the
| back OF chair and spoke to Birch harshly:
If it's just the same, Birch, let me off the
| resi- of the evening. I'm a bit done up. Per-
haps it's grip; but l think I'd better get
around to the rooms"
He took hasty leave of the box party and
hurried out into the cold night air Body and
, brain seemed On fire Around the corner he
dashed and straight up to the stage entrance.
dcorkeeper held him back. Stanley thrust
a bill into the mans hand.
q must Miss Alden She probably
had not thought to take a stage name he de-
cded hastily and correctly. she's a cousin
Of nine, and I've a message OF Importance.
She must not leave the theater without my
seeing her
He stood in the shadows Of the wings,
Brch's cynical words and the westerner's
light jest intermiugling in his tired brain.
Presently the chorus girls trooped from
their big dressing-room. She was almost the
last to leave and she sprang aside nervously
as be rested his nand on her arm.
':Maran don't you remember me?'
Harvey! Harvey" -
Oh, the joy and back OF 1t the pathos.. The
doCrkeeper heard it and smiled grimly. He
knew the excuse had been a lie all the while,
but then he had the tip.
They were the street now, a nice, dark,
dismal street.
.'oh. Harvey, why didn't you answer my
letter?''
q never got it,. He lied deliberately. He
would periure his very soul now to make her
happy, to undo the wrong he had done her
And how great that wrong had been! Through
what had she passed in the last six months!
He was afraid to learn.
| ''Oh, dearest it has been so hard" she
murmured, her small hand gripping his sleeve
| but every one said it was the only thing I
could do They can always make room for
pretty girls in the chorus, You know. But if
had known, if could only tell you what
it has been"
He stopped short and took her hands almost
roughly
Don't say another word. I never want to
hear about it. 1t does not matter, now that
I-have-found you. Tomorrow you will
leave thenl--do you understand. tomorrow
contract no contract We will be married.
It's going to be loves paradise, after all
Loves paradse!' she murmured question
ingly. But he did not answer, only held her
closer to him as they walked farther and far
ther away from the CLEAN of the street lights,
the glitter of the restaurants and the shouts
of the Cables.