Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1902-05-16
A SACRIFICE.
60 HE young man stood with his
back to the fire and his hands
x ,t,r,,.4 into hie trottsar mock atq

n ~
back to the fire and his hands
a 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 dlsplaclng various chairs
and tables, while the boys cousin, for
he was not much more than boy In
years, tried to paclfy the trio.
"All right, sir; 60 your own way; 90
your own way and be - The last
word was lost as the door slammed be
hind the irate Colonel.
80, Ted How can YOU be so fool
ish?" said Mrs. Langley, brokenly.
"How can you dream of marrying n
vulgar uneducated dancer?'
"Mother," replied the boy, sternly.
II love Madge Baptlste, and whether
she be dancer or duchess, n million
airess or a retired shopkeeper's daugh-
ter. 1t can matter to no one but my
self II | really love her"
The mother recommended her hys-
terlcal cries. The cousin, a fair, pretty
girl about his own age, went to him
and rested her hand on his shoulder.
"reddy. 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 theater where Madge Baptiste
danced nightly.
1t was dusk when she arrived. She
sent up her card, telling the commits
sionaire that her business was urgent.
lie returned with the information that
Miss Baptiste would see Miss Harper
for n few minutes. Then she found
herself in small and dainty dressing
room. Clouds of soft. sllken petticoats
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.
Madge Baptiste arranging her hair.
"Ah, come in, Miss-Harper. Excuse
the untidy state of the room. | think
you'll find chair. Let me see, don't
think | have met you before perhaps
you are a journalist. or"
NO, haven't ever met you before"
stammered Gwendoline, ''I--came-I
think you know my cousin, Mr.. Lang
ley" She felt her face growing red.
She did not know why she blushei,
bur this vivacious. beautiful girl fright
oned her. She had expected to find
such a different woman-a vulgar ILL
bred woman.
"Mr. Langley? Teddy! o. yes.
know him well. SO you are his cousin?
Pleased to meet you-he Is nor i'll, /
hopeg'
NO, he is not ILL.,"
80, 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 1t. | didn't know
he had cousin, such pretty cousin,
tool" with Il laugh; "he kept that 4
secret"
Il really came to speak about it
about this marriage" said Gwendolme.
nervously. You know his people
"Or Madge Baptiste turned sharply
from regarding herself in the mirror.
20. understand They have heard
perhaps he told them; he said he
should They obiect-ah? And you?"
She drew a chair opposite the girl, and
sat down. and rested her arms ON her
Knees With her face between her hands
II am only his cousin-we have been
chums always. said | would see you
ana tell you that his father and mother
were angry; that he was merely Il 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 n boy in
years. l know. but he is a man for all
that He is 30 and | am %. Besides,
| am only dancer and he Is Colonel
I.angley's son. Please understand
have-no-wish to-marry him--if his
parents object. | will tell him he must