The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1902-07-31


you. / shall make it my one study,
next to my profession, to bring out
what is great in you. l know that yea
care for me and only want your as
surance."
She turned the leaves of her program
and her mouth twltched cOnvulslvely.
SO he knew she cared for him. Such
is man.
You understand there was some
one else---' she began.
l care nothing for what has been.
Whatever process has made you what
you are must have been good one.
| always know what l want, and L
want you. Win you be my wife,
Hallie?"
eyes," she said, looking him
straight in the eyes. In her heart the
name of Carl rang insistently.
This man beside her, mentally ac-
complished, good to look upon, and
with the dignity of high thought, was
asking her to be his wife; and yot with
the porverseness Of fate, she knew that
all the joy of living had gone with her
farewell to the other man. She COM
pared the two as she sat there in the
theatre. Carl Saunders, the idler, un.
disciplined and spoiled. Extravagant
of time and goods, and carried away
by his ever ready sympathy, he
swung through life easily, needless of
deeper problems of living. When
difficulties confronted HIM he was
frankly and helplessly puzzled. 1t was
this boyish incompetency which ap-
pealed to tho maternal instinct of wo-
men. Halle Doyle realized his limita-
tions and loved him for them, at the
same time growing over them.
The curtain had swung back on the
battlefield scene. A soft haze hung
| over the stage.
" Yes, it is smoke, was right" her
companion was saying. "By jove,
that is peculiarp'
There was all uneasy stir through
The house. Madcmoiscle Secard paus-
cd and looked about her uncertainty.
/" What is the NATTER" asked Halle,
alarmed. " Is there tire2"
AS she spoke the curtain was sudden
ly rung down, and an immaculate man
i'll evening dress was addressing the
audience assuringy. There was a
slight contiagration back of the stage.
The speaker was scarcely heard. Wo.
men screamed and some tainted.
There was a rush for the exits. The
smoke began pouring from the heavy
drop curtain. Halle and Rhelcard were
standing Oh their chairs.
cit ls nothing Serious" he said,
raising his voice to be heard above the
din. Don't be alarmed. We will
wait until these cattle regain their
Senses"
Halle was coughing with the smoke,
but she was unperturbed by it.
Halle, l must go behind the
scenes. An interview with Secard nj
such time would be invaluable. You
will not be afraid? Just stand quietly
where you are" All this he was com.
PEELED to shout, for the confusion had
increased.
For a moment the girl looked after
her escort bewildered. She could
scarcely realize that he meant to leave
her alone at such a time. The aloof.
ness OF the mans mentality appalled,
her. Then some one from behind her
jostled against her chair, and she fell
forward, catching the back of tho scat
in front. She crouched there between
the chairs to keep from being trampled
on, and lay very quietly while the
place became black with smoke.
Presently the noise subsidized some.
what. Her head felt dizzy. She
straighte ned up with difficulty and
peercd through the smoke.
The place was quite deserted. Pres
emily she saw two men talking excited
lY midway up the aisle. Halle stag
gercd toward them. simultaneously
they saw her, and both uttered her
name and sprang toward her. One of
them was Carl. She saw him only and
reached out her hand to him, calling
his name as she had done that day at
the car. For moment they clung to
each other like children; and igroning
the other man, the danger of their Sit
uation-everything, their lips met,
which sealed the sudden reconciliation.
The fireman Was calling to them rough
ly. The other man had disappeared.
AS they stepped into carriage some
distance from the line of engines sur
rounding the theatre, Halle broke the
silence for the first time.
L" He was Rheicard; you were talk
with Ernest Rheicard."
| "l found HIM searching for you as l
was doing" said Carl. " In heavens