Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-06-21
the term your people are offering Clark

the term your people are offering Clark
SON.
Perhaps his peremptory tone acted as an
irritant- on the girl excited nerves She
lifted her little pointed chin in the air and
turned her shoulder toward him.
Il shan't tell you anything at all. if you
speak to me like that she said. so there!
Little silly, indeed. It's you that's silly,
think
He resented her rebellion now with
promptitude which characterized all his ac-
lions.
Why, whatever's come over you. Gladys?
Flying out like that just because | want to
have little rational conversation, Catch
me bringing you to the theater again, that's
allr'
You can please yourself about that, I'm
sure
The sentence issued shortly from the
averted profile, and dead silence fell upon
the pair.
Quite thirty seconds must have passed dur
ing which the young man and the young wo-
man contemplated opposite sides Of the au
ditorIun in silence. Then a flush crept over
Gladys face, and she stole a glance out of
the corners of her eyes in Loftie's direction
Perhaps he caught the glance At any rate
he had the sense to maintain and even % in
tensify the Indignation of his expression
and Gladys color deepened. Another thirty
seconds passed, and then a small voice half
injured and half appealing, said:
Afr
No answer. Mr. Alfred Loftie preserved
countenance of stone.
We were having such a nice evening
Alf"
I'm not aware that it's NV fault that
We're not having a nice evening now
I m sure I'm very sorry l. it's my fault"
said Gladys, with increasing meekness
| There was a tremble in her voice which
caused Loftie to forget his resolutions and
look hastily round. And as their ewes met
she murmured:
1T wasn't kind of you to call me silly
now, was it?"
LOfte moved a little nearer to her and
their hands met in reassuring clasp. which
was not in the least hindered by the nuh-
llcity of their position.
Il am given to being a bit nasty now and
then, Gladys, and you mustn't take any
| notice of it,
ana We won't have any more words,
will we?' she whispered. II can't bear
having words with you, Aft
His response was uttered in an even
lower Key, and some minutes had passed
during which the conversation was carried
on in undertones before he said loosely:
And now, just to show it's all blown
over. you might answer my question:
About the tender" she said oh YES
of course, Alf. We're offering-''
His hand was drawn through her arm
and he felt her start suddenly as she stop
ped snort, letting her sentence die away on
her lips The curtain rose at the same mo-
ment. and he thought it was this which
had distracted her attention.
Go on" he whispered.
But she made no answer and Ioftie was
too good a playgoer 10 press the question
at the moment.
If he could have seen Gladys face as
she looked straight before her with con-
| tracted brows and startled eyes he would
have known that she was hardly aware
| that the curtin had arisen. But the inter
| est OF that third act was positively breath
/ less, and Loftie was soon so absorbed in it
| that he completely forgot his companion.
| When little murmurs of horror or admira-
ton broke from the crowded pit he never
| realized that Gladys usually so ready with
gaspS and calculations of emotion, added
! no quota to the general sound, and when
| the curtain fell on wholly unexpected
| situation amid the applause of the house
| he did not notice, even when he turned to
her. clapping vehemently the while that
Gladys was quite unmoved, and even dis
trait in expression.
We'll, that was as good thing as I've
seen for long time,'' said Lofte, enthu-
siastically, as soon as speech was possible
| 1T was splendid" returned Gladys,
vaguely. Then she added hurriedly: s'Alf
dear, you don't really want me to tell you
| about that tender, do your
The boyish enthusiasm faded out of LOT
| ties face, and his expression became un-
usually keen and business-like.
You bet / do" he said eco ahead
Gladys The trouble in Gladys eyes grew
| deeper.
I'm afraid I can't tell YOU" she faltered.
| You see. we're-we're not supposed to talk
! about what goes on in the office"
OF course, you're not" he answered
| promptly. But that's got nothing to do
with your telling me. Gladys. I've a rea-