The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1905-12-28

ment, then cnme over 10 hef Sl0e OF the
table and kissed her gOodby most af-
fectionately. She longed to tell him
that 1t would seem like month for
him to be gone until late that evening
before she should see him again. but
no-lf he WIS already feeling The pull
Of the sillien chain that bound them to
gether she must not let him know that
she was aware Of it, She sprang mer
rily up went with him to the door.
chattering about this and that, rs
though her every thought was not of
the evening that was going 10 be 80
lonely without him. When be turned
back at the corner for last look tue
wave of her small hand was positively
hilarious.
The day crept by. AT first her i'm
pulse was to remain quietly AT home
for the evening. but he was going 10
the club. and she must not be behind
him in carrying out the plan.
She accepted Mrs. Ripley's invitation
to hear Nordica with her. In the after
noon she dressed and went 10 a tea.
wasted some hours over visit 10 her
dressmaker and when evening finally
came she afrayed herself for the sac
rfce. 1t was no fun at all TO fluff out
her golden hair when there WAS no one
there but Dolly to remark upon the ef.
feet, and then Dolly was painfully mat.
ter of fact. She would wear the violet
silk with the yellow lace cascades. even
if there was nobody there to tell her it
was the prettest dress that ever
pretty woman Wore. 1t was SORT of
solemn satisfaction to be making her
self lovely without the encouragement
of an admirer sitting over in that big
chair, his knee over the arm and cigar
in his mouth, but at the mental picture
she smothered an irrelevant sob. Dolly
looked at her acutely.
"I-belieye | am about to take cold
faltered the little mistress mendacious-
ly. "My-my throat feels so queer
When she entered the box and threw
her great white cloak in Il luxurious
heap in the chair behind her, Mrs. Rip
lev glanced over her with look of de-
cided approval.
You wcfe never prettier, Betty
she whispered. and then it is so sen
sble of you not to be foolish about hay-
ing Tom Ellis dangling after you every
where you go
That is what we agreed only this
morning" said Betty in burst of con-
fidence. and then she grew suddenly
silent.
Her eyes, sweeping the crowded
house. had fallen upon Tom Ellis in
group of men down near the footlights.
AS the moments went on she began to
feel aggreved HAT he did not even
glance toward the Ripley box, although
he surely had known of the invitation.
She was glad when the music began,
because her throat still had that queer
feeling. and her lips wanted to tremble.
Nordicas superb presence and her sing
ing failed for the first time TO absorb
Rettv's attention. She would not look
again at that group down near the
stage, but she could not keep from see
ing them in her minds eye. She was
glad there We're others in the box who
felt like talking She did not want
Mrs. Ripley TO regard her too closely
after the drop of the curtain. The hum
of conversation began in "A moment
and she half turned toward those near
her. seeming to listen, although she
heard not word Still she would not
look below her.
Boo" came a frivolous exclamation
at her shoulder. and She started VIC
lcntly. The rich blood surged into her
face. She did not need to see whose
hand was resting on her arm.
why. Betty Ellis" cried one gay
voice. YOU don't mean to tell ne Nou
arc actually bln>hiug over Tom, You
ancient married woman, YOU The
bushes are for the buds
Then they are for Betty said Ion
CALAMITY. What rosebud ever looked
swecter than she does this minute#
Tom she demonstrated. aud he
laughed aud sat down beside her.
When the others were absorbed III
themselves again he whispered 10 her
Forgive me. Betty. if | bored you by
coming. just couldn't help it. | had
forgotten all about the Ripley invita-
ton until saw you in the box. came
along just 10 he doing something.
Don't" she begged, and the eyes
that were lifted to his were full oil
tears. lie covered her hand moment
with his and waited; then, when she
had slyly wiped the moisture from her