The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-04-02
The Globes Daily Short story

was this boyish Incompetence which an
pealed to the maternal instinct of WON
en-. Halle Doyle realized his limitat ous
and loved him for them, at the same
time grievirg over them.
The curtain had swung back on the
battlefield scene. a soft haze hung over
the stage.
Yes, 1t is smoke, was right. her com
panloH was saying. By jove, that's PEI
culiar!'
There was an uneasy stir through the
mouse. Nine Secard paused and looked
about her uncertainty
What is the matter?' asked Halle,
alarmed. rs there a tire?''
AS she spoke the curtain was suddenly
rung down, and an immaculate man In
evening dress was addressing the audience
assurlngly. There was a slight cOnfagrl-
ton back of the stage. The speaker was
scarcely heard Women screamed and
some tainted. There was rush for the
exits. The smoke began pouring from the
heavy drop curtain. Halle and kheicard
were standing on their chairs.
1T is nothing serious" he said raising
his voice to be heard above the din. ''DO1
be alarmed. We will wait until these cat
tie 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 at such time
would be invaluable. You will not be
afraid? Just stand quietly where you are
All this he was compelled to shout, for
the confusion had increased.
For moment the girl looked after her
escort bewildered. She could scarcely re
alze that he meant to leave her alone at
such time. The alOOfness Of the mans
mentality appalled, her. Then some one
from behind her JOstled against her clair
and she fell forward, catching the back
Of the seat in front. She crouched there
between the chairs to keep from being
trampled on, and lay very quietly while
the place became thick with Smoke.
Presently the noise subsidized somewhat
Her head felt dizzy. She Strengthened
up with difficulty and peered through the
smoke.
The place was quite deserted. Presently
she saw two men talking eXcitedly mid
way up the aisle. Halle staggered toward
them. simultaneously they saw her, ana
both uttered her name and sprarg toward
her. One Of them was Carl. she saw MN
only and reached out her hand TO nm,
calling his name as she had done thdL
day at the car. For moment they chung
to each other like children, and Ignoring
the other man. the danger Of their slLua-
tion-everything, their lips met, "nlcH
sealed the sudden reconciliation. y HIt-
man was calling to them roughly Inc
other man had disappeared.
As they stepped into a carriage some
distance from the line Of engines sur
rounding the theater Halle broke the Sir
lence for the first time.
''He was Rheicard; you we're talking
with Ernest Rheichard."
81 found him searching for you. as
was doing" said Carl. I'm heavens
name. how came he to leave yoI?'
How came you TO know l was in the
theater?'
T had been watching you from the
back Of our box all evening Halle
You were going to marry that man
saw it in his face and IN yours. Tell
me, were you-could you be guilty OF
that?"
She did not answer. Carl put his head
out Of the window and gave some direc-
lions to the driver.
Where are We going?" she asked
helplessly. He drew her toward him
tenderly. ITO a priest, Halle. ar
ways meant it 50, only I didn't quite
know it, You see, 1 was so satisfied
Just to have you with me in the old
DAYS that l did not think it possible 1
could lose YOU Are you satisfied to go
dear?"
He reached out and turned her face
to the light. dropping his hands Imply
as he did so, with exclamation half
OF awe half Of alteration; for IN that mo-
ment the woman came to the fun real
ization of the greatness Of her love; her
face had caught something of the SUI
pernal, and the man fell back. abashed
at it.