, 1902-04-18
Railways Secret.
BY ELLIOTT

br kLLIoI
Copyright. 1902. by Daily Story Pub Coz
Jack was distracted that evening.
Even the clinging hand on his arm and
the soft voice Of Isabel, as she rippied
out the events of her day. failed to
rouse him. 1t was only a short iis-
lance to the theater and they walked.
1t would be over by eleven, then ne
would take her home, then to hts ovn
rooms. then? Would he Sleep HOW
would he pass the night? How would
It seem In the morning? He shivereS
q little. The girl pressed his arm
close to her side.
Are you cold, dear?" she asked;
what is it,"
No. Jack Holloway was not cold, not
tired exactly-just a little upset-it
was nothing. He laughed and the
sound seemed hard and tangled to his
ears. He glanced at the happy face by
his side and a wave of awful reproach
swept him. She must never know. His
brain whirled a bit-if she did learn
what would it be to her? He had seer
Cl "lCh lhc Nhth he"o Va ht
fathers sudden death was broken tc
her. The memory of the stricken face
the agony in her eyes, had often risen
before him. Then he had comforted
her. Now? He must o think
mere must be some way out of the
dreadful tangle. He made an effort
and began to talk-business. gossip
anything.
The orchestra was playing a medley
as they walked to their seats. The mel
ody broke into THE Old Kentucky
Home" as the usher slammed down the
chairs. Holloway took unnecessary
time in taking of his overcoat. Vas
1t fate? That air of all others! Coult
he sit there and smile and talk? He
must! Occasionally the melodrams
dulled his sense of unrest and he for
got. Then the quick, sharp pang O.
remembrance to sting and horrify him
He kept looking at his watch-would i
never be over?
Isabel chatted happily during the in
terludes and pressed close to him dur
ing the emotional cenes 1t was 81
comforting to have Jack all her own
Her young heart throbbed in sympath,
with the woes of the heroine and tear
came to her eyes. She could feel Jacl
80 near her and his presence stillet
and helped her. He was SO handsom,
and strong, and how intent he seemed
on the play.
The walk home seemed % short t.
her-so long to him. He kissed hel
mechanically as he left her and apollo
gized for being such poor company
Isabel did not mind; beyond the fac
OF his rather unusual silence she hat
noticed nothing. Only a few month";
now and she would be Mrs. Jack-tha'
was happiness enough. And. Of course
she must not expect him to talk wher
he was tired. Happy, blue-eyed, sun
ny-haired Isabel! How little she knew
of the black despair Grazing her lover
brain.
In his wi rooms at last with tn,
doors carefully locked the man turnet
on the lights and threw himself into
chair, tore . letter from his pocket ant
read 1t over and owe again. while hi
face grew white and great beads o.
Precipitation gathered upon his brow
my own Jack!"' the letter ran. az
am not dead after all-it was all a mis-
take. l left the company the very day
of the fire and have been abroad will
Maxey's troupe. Just returned las
Saturday. Jenkins told me where yol
were and that you thought l had beer
cremated with the other girls. How
dreadful for you. love. Won't you b,
glad to see little Maudie? No wonder
you have buried yourself in Milwaukee
Well, l shall reach there Friday ant
will tell you all about it. Good-by,
until then. We will make up for goot
this time. Your devoted wife.
MAUD"
Holloway sat looking at the letter.
His devoted. wife!" Back, bacl