The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1902-09-11
"a mediator-is one necessary"

1--WE are hoping so. You see, Den
mis- has told me everything, poor boy!
How he fell very much in love with
you before he went ont to the war"
did he tell you that?" she said,
quietly.
Yes. And by the way, he gave me
a very accurate description of YOU"
L continued, with a glance at her.
He said you were a charming, re-
fined, talented young actress playing
comedy parts in a highly artistic
manner"
His present attitude would seem
to suggest that he has changed his
mind"
| l explained the sacrifice he was
making, pleading eloquently in his
defense, drew a touching picture of
his aged parents, to whom this mar
riage meant so much. She listened
silently, with her face turned away
from me.
And the American girl-does he
love her?'' she asked in a subdued
voice, at the conclusion.
He'll marry her, be good to her,
but he can never love her! 1t is just
the usual vulgar exchange of dollars
for title, brutal but necessary, and
vital to the honor of the Southbrook
name. There, l have put the whole
case before you. He has had to make
his sacrifice. l ask you to be gen.
erous, make one yourself, give him
back his letters, let him Off"
But it was very good chance for
me-" she said doubtfullv.
80, you will have others; you sim
ply can't help it," l said eagerly.
You think SOP" she said with a
little blush. She looked perfectly
rayishing, and for the moment l for
| got myself.
why to convince you," 1 cried,
just saved myself in time. She
was utterly charming, and, of course,
my lost divinity, and l was as much
in love with her as ever; but still L
hadn't quite accustomed myself to
the breach-of-promise idea.
We'll, to convince me, what?" she
asked, with a smile.
l hedged.
80, that before many years pass
you will have one" | said, vaguely.
Come, what do you say-will you be
generous and let him off?
She gave little laugh and held
out her hand. Very well, 1 promise
he shall be quite free as far as am
| concerned"
| Her cool, firm little hand pressed
mine, and L felt a thrill go through
| me.
L drew up just in time again. You
see, had been looking into her eyes,
and, as l had told Mrs. Ventry, they
were wonderful. But again the
breach-of-promise scheme loomed up
before me.
well, now you have found us, you
will come again, say, tomorrow, for
tea? Mother does so want to thank
you!"
tore myself away and walked back
to my rooms. [ had plenty of food
for reflection on the way.
after all, divinity is a divinity,
whether she threatens to bring
breach-of-promise actions or not" [
soliloquized. And she didn't really
mean it, Directly I pointed out the
nature of the case she was generosity
itself. 1t was perfectly natural, too,
her being angry. Any girl would
have done the same-yes, any grill"
repeated, reassuringly.
reached my rooms and found
telegram awaiting me. l tore it
open. 1t was from Dennis:
For Heavens sake don't go; in furry
| gave you address of American instead
| of actress-Gorison.
"Jove." l gasped as the whole sig
| niticance of the thing dawned upon
me. "She discovered the mistake al
most Immediately, and kept it up.
| What art!"
l thought hard for few moments,
| then came to a decision. l hurried
out, and in a few minutes was back
at Westbury Mansions.
l was again shown in, and the
young person received Inc with her
eyes twinkling with merriment.
"There has been a terrible mis-
| take" | began lamely, showing her
Denny's wire. you see he was
| trying not to let his mother notice
him giving me the address," l added,
in explanation.
BE merciful!" [ implored, humbly.
There was a pause. Il wonder what
you are going to do?"
What l have DONE" she cor
rected. 81 have kept my word. Di-
rectly you left, sent a letter to him
by hand. l don't think he will call
again. she added meaningly.
rs there absolutely no help for
him?' | said, with an attempt to re-
press the culver of excitement in my
tone.
mo; the actress episode has quite
decided me. And, somehow, l feel
that, as you said, [ shall never re-
greet it. l must just wait in patience
until that other man comes along"
she added demurely.
=
For an example of sheer, base in
gratitude, however, l would just men
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