Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1902-04-25

il back to the nre ana MS nand'
q thrust into his trouser pockets.
Mrs. Langley sat on the lounge sob
bing Historically. Her husband, Col
onel Langley. strobe up and down the
room, angrily displacing various chairs
and tables, while the boys cousin. for
he was not much more than a boy in
years. tried to pacify the trio.
"All right. sin; go your own way; go
your own way and be -" The last
word was lost as the door slammed be-
hind the irate Colonel,
20, Ted! How can YOU be SO fool
ish:" said Mrs. Langley, brokenly
How can you dream of marrying a
vulgar. uneducated dancerT
Mother" replied the boy, sternly.
Il love Madge Baptiste, and whether
she be dancer or a duchess, million
airess or a retired shopkeeper's daugh-
ter, it can matter to no one but my
self if l really love her."
The mother recommended her hys-
terical cries. The cousin, fair. pretty
girl about his own age, went to him
and rested her hand ON his shoulder.
Teddy. say no more now, but coIue
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.
He returned with the Information that
Miss Baptiste would see Miss Harper
for few minutes. Then she found
herself in a small and dainty dressing
room. Clouds Of soft. silken pettlcoats
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.
Before a large mirror stood Miss
Madge Baptiste arranging her hair.
.'Ah, come in, Miss-Harper. Excuse
the untidy state of the room. l think
you'll find a chair. Let me see. don't
think l have met you before-perhaps
you are a journalist, Or"
No, haven't ever met you before,
stammered Gwendoline, "I--came--I
ley" She felt her face growing red.
She did not know why she blushei,
but this vivacious. beautiful girl fright
cned 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 not Ill, 1
hope?'
No, he is not Ill"
20, that's all right. Ted and | are
fond of each other, you know; in fact,
we think of getting married soon-at
least, lie thinks of it. l didn't know
he had II cousin, such a pretty cousin,
too" with ii laugh; 'he kept that a
secret"
Il really came to speak about it
about this marriage" said Gwendoline,
nervously. You know his people"
Or Madge Baptiste turned sharply
from regarding herself in the mirror.
20. l understand! They have heard
perhaps he told them; he said he
should. They object-ah? And you?"
She drew a chair opposite the girl, and
sat down. and rested her arms ON her
Enees with her face between her hands,
Il am only his cousin-we have been
chums always. | said | would see you,
and tell you that his father and mother
were angry; that he was merely L 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 a boy In
wears, l know. but he is man for all
that. He is - and | am %. Besides,
l am only a dancer. and he is Colonel
J.angley's son. Please understand |
have-no-wish to-marry him-if his
parents object. l will tell him he must
20 away and not see ME again. | shall
miss him at first. l expect. A dancer S
life is a lonely one. you know. She
has so few friends. and unless she
All. there is the call boy. Well. good
by-and IL don't gain
say good-by to him-for me-"
But Miss Harper had risen. and was
holding Madge Baptiste's hands in
hers, while two tears ran down her
cheeks. 20. don't. please! How cruel
you must think me, | didn't mean to
l really didn't. But his mother was So
unhappy. and l thought you were a
mean, didn't dream you really cared
for him. He shall marry you. know