Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1902-04-04

Jack was distracted that evening
Even the clinging hand on his arm and
the soft voice of Isabel, as she rlppled
out the events of her day. failed to
rouse him. 1t was only a short dis
lance to the theater and they walked
1t would be over by eleven, then he
would take her home. then to his own
rooms, then? Would he sleep? How
would he pass the night? How would
1t seem in the morning? He shivered
a 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 wave of awful reproach
swept him. She must never know His
brain whirled bit--if she did learn
what would 1t be to her? He had seen
her when the dreadful news OF her
fathers sudden death was broken to
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 not think
there must be some way out of the
dreadful tangle. He made an effort
and began to talk-business, gossip,
. anything.
The orchestra was playing 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 off his overcoat. Was
it fate? That air of all others! Could
he sit there and smile and talk? He
must. Occasionally the melodrama
dulled his sense of unrest and he for
got. Then the quick, sharp pang OF
remembrance to sting and horrify him.
He kept looking at his watch-would 1t
never be over?
Isabel chatted happily during the in
terludes and pressed close to him dur
ing the emotional scenes. 1t was so
comforting to have Jack all her own.
Her young heart throbbed in sympathy
with the woes of the heroine and tears
came to her eyes. She could feel Jack
80 near her and his presence stilled
and helped her. He was so handsome
and strong, and how intent he seemed
on the play.
The walk home seemed so short to
her--so long to him. He kissed her
mechanically as he left her and apollo
gized for being such poor company.
Isabel did not mind; beyond the fact
of his rather unusual silence she had
noticed nothing. Only few months
now and she would be Mrs. Jack-that
was happiness enough. And, of course,
she must not expect him to talk when
he was tired. Happy, blue-eyed, sun
ny-haired Isabel! How little she knew
of the black despair Grazing her lovers
brain.
In his own rooms at last with the
doors carefully locked the man turned
on the lights and threw himself into
chair, tore letter from his pocket and
read it over and over again, while his
face grew white and great beads of
perspiration gathered upon his brow.
my own jack" the letter ran. 81
am not dead after all-it was all mis-
take. left the company the very day
of the fire and have been abroad with
Maxeys troupe. Just returned last
Saturday. jenkins told me where you
were and that you thought | had been
oremated with the other girls. How
dreadful for you, love. Won't you be
glad to see little Maudie? No wonder
you have buried yourself in Milwaukee.
Well, shall reach there Friday and
will tell you all about it. Goodbye
until then. We will make up for good
this time. Your devoted wife,
MAUD"
Holloway sat looking at the letter.
His devoted wife!" Back. back
travelled his thoughts. How did it all
begin? Where? Could it have been
but a year ago-that short, mad cpl
sode? Oh, fool, fool! what had pos
sessed him! He saw as in dream the
gay lights of a southern theater,
graceful dancing girl. an introduction
behind the scenes: private room at