The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1907-08-23
FOR THE LOVE OF A STAR

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youd a doubt. He owed il to every one,
Ito herself most OF all, But how could
he strike her aud not hurty How could
he wound her pride and leave no stingS
One afternoon, as he looked at her,
busy about some careful preparation for
him. it seemed to him that he must give
lup the play. His contract and hers
might be broken into thousand bits
before that tenderly loving face should
bear the least question OF doubt or dis
tresa
eNow. take this Mary slipped to
iootstool and leaned against him while
she coaxed. you're worrying about
something" she said suddenly, Cant
you tell meY His eyes looked deep in
to hers, She mised herself to his breast
land laid her arms about his neck. i
love you so!s she said. " ! wish ! could
help!'
''Maryr He held her clese. Lets 60
awuy. Let's give up the play, break
our contracts, go back to our little cot
Itage. Oh, darling, we didn't hnish 1t
out, we haven't had even our little short
honeymoon" E7
His mouth tfemblea and his hands
shook upon her shoulders. Marys face
sobered.
Darling boy."she said, and in her
voice was ell the love she had ever
shown for him. stronger and more sure
of itself, "you are worn out. The time
for us to finish up our happy all alone
honeymoon hasn't come yet, and we
mustn't think Of taking it in any such
unfair way. 1t win come; and mean
while we have our work, and We are
working together"
| BFaithwaiss gathered her suddenly To-
him. "we have our work. be repeat
|ed,' and we'll manage some way"
Il wonder what is worrying himf"
unused Mary. miss Foster plays her
past rather badly. Perhaps its tAat.s
Rehearsal began oae day without
Mary. A seyere headache kept her In
10 ,larkened room. Bfaithwaite, kissing
liner goed-by, and leaving her TO her
maids ministrations. was conscious Of
"a growing irritation within himself as
ihe approached the theatre. He knew
the next step he was going to take. and
, lhe despised himself for his cowardice.
Beyond that next step he did not dare
to look.
Late that afternoos weak. anguid,
vaguely curious that Braithwaite had
mot telehoned her, Mary crept into the
ldarkened front of the theatre.
Il Hes got Miss Foster 10 go through
3the part" she said to herself, as she
caught one Of her cues and saw Miss
1 Foster enter.
n She listened idly, weakness from the
now vanished headache dulling her SEN
ses. Then she sat up straighter. There
was curious sensation Of something
8 happening. Was that Geraldf Yes, those
I Iwere his lines. II could have forgiven
r you anythingl" She remembered how
: she hated to have him say that. II
: seemed TO her that there would never b.
r anything to forgive between them. W1a'
o that Miss Foster? Yes, surely that wa;
). her rain-eoat But her voice sounaec
s different. That deep, thrilling, magnets
d Ivoice-she never remembered to hav'
d heard it before; yet those were her lines
It What was the mater! She put he
and to her head and tried to think.
Q But the spell Of the scene was upol
j her. 1t was the same, yet different
n Three were living, suffering human be
= ings. Her heart ached with the man
t. sorrow and the woman's remorse. Ever
Q Miss Fosters ungainly attire could no
d detract from her marvellous depletion o
It the part that Mary had considered 9Th
). least bit too broad"
And Gerald; She watched him breath
ID lessly.
,e When the scene ended there was
,e spontaneous burst of applause from tn
t rest Of the company. 1t ceased as sud
7 denly as it had begun, and Braithwait
le abruptly declared the rehearsal over
Mary hurried outside. She hailed
re hanson and got home as quickly a
possible. She changed from her stree
b. frock into loose wrapper and was ly
4 ing on her couch when she heard he
of husbands step.
ID "All this long dayl" he exclaimed
10 as he bent over her.
st 81 haven't been lonely" she declared
Il. Il needed the rest"
to "Yes, dear. And the headp
.e. "0h, better! Much better!"
at There was curious excitement abou
.r. Briathwaite. Watching him, she coul
see that the inspiration of his work ha
r. hardly worn away.
re. wont you 60 and have good rid
ID Gerald!" she asked him. ut will res
IyOn"
nd "Are you sure you don't want me I
g. Il always want you; but I'm littl
tirel'
ny "Pll go, dearl" He hesitated. @We ha
de a good rehearsal. must-Perhaps l.
wv better tell you by and BY"
he "Yes, tell me by and by; but hay
It. your ride first"