The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1904-11-13
CAB had broken
down at the cor
its paSsen-

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in the mud of the suburban roadway, the cabby sig
mailing wildly to a passing troley-car.
Harte, the only occupant of the car, leaned forward
in his seat with an exclamation of pleasure, then
rose and hurried to the door. why, Mary-Mary.
the unexpected, Mary the always desirablel' he
cried. as he casped one slim gloved hand and settled
the newcomer In her seat.
She looked at him with heightened color, but with
no word of greeting. One might have said that there
was a hungry look in the fine eyes, as though they
feasted on something well loved. after long abstinence.
Pray excuse me for not fainting." he ratified on
gaily. 'Of course you didn't remember that such a
person as myself lived in this burg-its only a one
night stand to you-but the movements of the star
are visible from obscure points, and was braced for
a sight of you"
How absurd" said the woman. And the faintest
tremor in Hartes bearing answered the first note of
her low, vibrant voice. She did not tell him that she
had braved the wrath of her manager by insisting
upon playing in this small town, that she had aroused
question of her sanity by demanding one free day
here, as well. And all because she did know that
it now was his home.
ooh, yes, l was braced." Harte's voice was saying;
II went to see you play last night in Hearts"
I'm still seeking a suitable vehicle for my talents
l told my manager of the play you began for me.
Have you ever finished it,"
Harte shook his head with laughing eyes. That
play? 1t was pure moonshine-moonsh and Mary
that's what it amounted to"
Hearts is a poor thing. Did you like it at all?
Did YOU like me in it" with an adorable smile.
Like it? Well. rather! We were in all sorts of
ffutter over going out to hear The Great Marie
Orme, in her unparalleled success, which ran three
hundred nights in New-York.' and we were not
Disappointed"
1.-The little wife and 1, yes. She was troubled
over many things-to wear, or not to wear: but we
made acquisitions upon a neighbor who comes in
sometimes to stay with the children. and we went"
His companion had turned and was looking out
of the window. We are miles from town. aren't
WEI" she said in a low voice. Tell me about your
marriape I-hadn't-heard of it
Why should you? My movements are not those
of the heavenly bodies. visible to all eyes" Then.
after a pause: well well, welll It's the same Mary:
the same dear, dark-blue eyes. l suppose those long.
white hands that can fairly talk are hidden in your
gloves"
Did you think my acting improved-last night,
| mean"
Il stood the play very well-considering. 1t was
in the last act, when your lover had sent the roses.
and you drew one out and stood cherishing it in those
wonderful fingers of yours, looking down at it with
that melting smile that has the quality of tears. Well,
| confess that then the old madness came over me
like a qua1m. Sitting Entertained. wonted. docile.
thoroughly domesticated-besid the little wife, | felt
it grip me, and | let myself go"
why not? ~ bitterly. That sort OF thing doesn't
count among the real emotions"
Sure, Mary girl! l probably was in no different
p~redicament from nine out of ten men in the house
only l knew what it meant. The women were in
tears, and adoring you. But then. as you say, since
it has become the fashion to be heart-broken after you,
like Manila hats or cummerbunds. there's
no ~treachery to the wife and babies in it at all"
None, certainly"
For five long. wonderful minutes YOU held Your
house spellbound. reading your face as you unused on
that cloth rose"
Muslin l couldn't get florists flowers of the right
color here"
Well, when .Arlev entered. and the scene moved
on. l came back to myself. and the little wife was
wiping her eyes
His listener had turned from the window, where
a dull, gray mist made more sordid the desolate
quarter through which they were passing. She settled
the furs about her throat with a gesture so familiar
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