The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1906-12-13

her foot impatiently or the tiled hoor.
1t was a fearful night outside. Moth
Ing but the unparalleled success .f
Mile. Dupont would have insured such
a large house. 1t was the last per-
formance, SO, in spite of the war OF
the elements" Mile. was encopreFed
by the largest audience of the week.
The lobby was rapidly emptying.
There was a grand rush for carriages
and cars. Her escort had hurried out
into the rain, but the carriage was no
where to be found. He rushed back
and telephoned. The carriage had
started, they said. Every vehicle was
in use, had been the invariable answer
to his call at the livery stables. There
seemed nothing to do but wait. And
yet, August Parker did not know how
to wait gracefully.
81 will go find one myself" he said
to her. You wait hers; won't be
long and the carriage will probably
arrive in the meantime"
She soon became conscious of the
casual g~lances thrown in her direction.
She drew her cHera cloak closer about
her light dress and drew farther back
into the shadow.
One man, especially, she noticed
watching her. His persistent scrutiny
was annoying. And yet there was
nothing familiar or offensive in his
glance. Suddenly he began to move,
but not toward the door, she observed.
No-yes-he was coming in her direc-
ton. She was too surprised to move.
She just stood and waited to see what
would happen next.
MAY l, dare l, speak to Mile. Du-
pont?' The voice was cultured and
low. 81 have tried so hard to get an
introduction. | am a stranger in the
city and SO my efforts have proved in
vain. ] have attended every perform
ance since the first. Perhaps Mile.
has seer my caro- before" he said,
with a slight smile. as he handed her
the small piece of ~pasteboard.
She was thinking how handsome his
eyes and teeth were. as she let her
eyes rest on the card. John Fair
court" meant nothing to her, but she
tried to smile understandingly. He
seemed to realize that she did not
know him.
"How stupid in me-" he broke forth,
suddenly. Il forgot how many admir-
ers Mile. has and how many flowers
she receives. / was presumptuous to
expect her to remember me among
so many"
At the word flowers" her face
frightened.
"Oh, pardon, Monsieur, "she cried,
in her soft voice, with its fascinating
French accent, how could | be so
negligent? The flowers were too beau
tiful. thank monsieur very, very
much. | never wear my flowers" she
continued, with a smile, as she saw
him glance ~involunarily at her dress.
az cannot wear them all, and | fear
to offend my many friends"
81 understand perfectly" he said.
But why does Mile. stand here?' he
asked, abruptly. 81 fear she may be
cold"
She shrugged her pretty shoulders
deprecatingly and answered with a
faint smile.
MY carriage failed to come and
my friend, Monsieur Parker, has gone
to get one for me. He is so impa.
tent" she replied, with a low laugh
"He is all rush and hustle and hurry
all the time. 1t always make me ex
cited to think about his funny ways
she said.
She seemed wholly unconscious oil
John Faircourt's admiring gaze as she
ratified on. AS for him, he hardly
heard what she was saying. He wa.
only conscious of the soft, musica
voice, the masses of waving red, golt
hair, the snowy skin and red lips, hal
%coneealing the small white teeth be
hind them.
Suddenly she turned toward the
door. a quick blush spreading over he
cheek.
81 don't understand It," she said
impatiently. Thomas should be here
He never treated me so before. The!
will be closing up the theater soon.
ANOl Nnilt NllICs 10 hNlCI SulCly,
answered F~aircourt. with attempted
g~allantry.
1.-The management does not arrange
to keep the theater open to suit Mile
convenience" she said, with a sligh
neer. mile. is useful to the theate
only so long as she is before the foot
lights"
Faircourt fancied he detected a not
of bitterness in her voice. There wa
a strange look on her face he coul,
not interpret. He had an ineXplicabl
feeling hat she wished to get ava.
from him.
MAY | call on Mile. before sh
leaves" he ventured, trying to SUI
press the eagerness he felt in hi
heart.
Il go tomorrow night" she replied
"but ] shall be at home tomorrow al