The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1904-04-28

crawford ana me with frozen dignity. 1t
was utterly futile to reason with him, and
when at last he informed rs that his we'd
ding would take place within a fortnight
we decided that the battle was lost New
ertheleSs We did not quit the field and as
the company played an engagement OF
three consecutive nights in one city we
were spared the miseries of travel
We took a double suit in a rascally little
hotel in order TO be near Wally, who was
economizing for the wedding, and on the
last of the three nights we were sitting in
the parlor waiting for the boy, who had
promised to see us after the performance.
He came promptly, and, with the mag
nanimity of a victor, he greeted us less
icily than usual Indeed we were fairly
launched upon a really amicable CONVEX
sation when a hasty rap at the door inter
rupted us.
Crawford answered, and 1 saw him re-
treat from the door after he had opened
it, as if there had been a ghost outside.
Il beg your pardon said voice which
= instantly recognized as Miss Harting-
toms. us Mr.. Ford here?'
Crawford did not reply in words but he
made series of grotesquely wooden ges-
lures which the lady rightly interpreted
as an invitation 10 come in. So in she
came. and her looks amazed me- | had
seen her several times Off the stage, and
always the sight of her had touched my
and she showed 1t. She had seemed to me
a beaten woman, weary, disappointed and
oppressed by a deep sense of injustice yet
withal sustained by some interior strength
which had taken to be sheer pugnacty.
Now she was transformed She held her
head high: her eyes shone; there was the
magic of renewed youth in her face.
"Wally." she cried. read that
And she gave him telegram, so long
that it filled two sheets. The boy got
about half way through it. and then he
seized her hand, exclaiming:
splendid, Splendid This is the chance
of lifetime. I'm so mighty, mighty glad
for you"
She looked at him intently. lovingly
yes by all that's odd. the woman loved
him.
Its the chance of a lifetime for both of
US she said, paying no more attention to
Crawford and me than If we had been
two dummies. "Wally this offer-miracu-
lous as if the sky should rain roses
"Or dollars" said he
This part that is offered me-" she con-
tinued, lis all that 1 ask If l cannot
make my way with this. l am content to
fail. But l was not content to live this
life of mine and have nothing. absolutely
nothing; no smallest desire granted no
single CLEAN of good fortune between my
cradle and my grave. Wally, l was not
strong enough to do it. l was not strong
enough to live a life all loss and still do
right. But now, now! Now 1 can do it. 1
can say to you what 1 should have said
long ago, that-that you must not think
of me any more"
She had been at a high pitch Of courage
up to that last sentence, but she could not
quite carry 1t on to the end. I thought
that she didn't mean what she said, but
the boy knew her better, and suddenly his
face grew startlingly white
No l. ~
break with me?'
Yes, yes" she answered and she
waved her hand toward Crawford and me
ASK them. They know. They'll tell you
they've been telling you. Love some one
who has not lived so much, who has illu-
sions and the hopes of girlhood. 1 lost
them long ago, but l have ambition.
love my work. You shall see"
And in the midst of this outburst she
vanished from the room
Wally's face which had been so pale,
now famed with rage.
you, you!' he shouted. striking up to
US. You have done this. You have
bought her. You have wrecked my life"
think he was upon the point OF striking
Crawford, but instead he turned upon his
heel and left us.
Crawford sank into chair and slid
lower and lower in 1t till l thought he
would slide off upon the floor.
THE boy is crazy" said l. This is I'M
doubtedly genuine The girl has got fine
engagement and her good luck has given
her the strength to do right, just as she
said. But to accuse us of getting this en-
gagement for her.
Crawford interrupted us by tapping up
on his own breast
81 did it." said he "She doesn't know
1t. but did. telegraphed to fellow in
New York and used money and all that.
By George she has got chancel know.
for l paid for It, And somehow I'm
ashamed. It's like some blasted conspir-
acy, and yet it's for the good of both of
! them"
But how did you know she'd give him
up?"
| you don't understand women" said
he. You never did. She loved him