The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1907-10-04
The Awakening.

dimple In Clyde PINK cheek, anu DIS sue
smiled up at Dick Graves big, manly and
desperately in love with her-he thought
he had never quite realized how very de-
sirable she was
"Now, Dicky, you know you don
mean half that nonsense, she said, tuck
ing rebellious curl up under her sun
bonnet
Dicks eyes were very serious. "What
child you are,' he said tenderly. ''To
think of your going away from all those
who really love you, to an unknown world
the stage world. Clyde, dear, don't
YOU realize how foolish it is-how unlike
you? Why, little girl, you can't stand
the life-it's absolutely impossible. y
A pair of big stormy eyes flashed up at
him and the wonderful little dimple had
entirely disappeared.
"Now, Dick, it's useless for you to
talk to me like that. Haven't [ been
waiting for three long years for just this
opportunity, and now that it's really come
you-the person who processes to love me
more than anybody else in the whole world
try in every possible way to prevent me
realizing my ambition. | should think you
would be the one to help me, not stand
selfshly in my light
The man was silent. He realized now,
for the first time, the hopelessness of try
ing to overcome Clyde's determination to
90 on the stage. He had loved her in
good, clean, manly way ever since she
was IA little 15-year-old girl, and now,
after long years of hard work and ceaseless
economy, he had saved enough to buy
little home, the terrible stage demon had
conquered and she was really going away
from him-out into the great unsympa-
thetic world-alone.
His voice was unsteady when he spoke
again. "When do you 60, dear p
The dimple was in evidence once more.
'In two weeks, Dicky boy" she said ex-
citedly. "Only think, IA more days and
I'll be a really, truly actress !!
She stood up and shook out the folds OF
her dainty pink gown. 81 must run along
home now. Mother will be looking for
me. By-by, dear
x X X X X X K
A woman, starry-eyed and wondrously
beautiful, stood before window, gazing
out into the cold, gray winter afternoon.
'What shall my answer be?'' she said,
thoughtfully. II must decide soon. He
will be here within the next hour, and |
am still as undecided as was two months
ago. A countess Quite alluring, and
vet The fair brow wrinkled into a
frown and she moved away from the win
dow, restlessly A telegram was lying on
the table, addressed to her, and she picked
it up, carelessly.
''Dick ill. Calls ceaselessly for you.
Come if possible.
AUNT DORA.
Her face was white. ''Dick i'll, y she
said slowly ''Dick-after all these years.
Why. must start at once. Lena-Lena,
come quickly. Pack my bag immediate
ly. | shall be away for an indeh-
mite time. Don't stand there staring at
me idio,ically, but do as l tell you. No,
| shan't play tonight, of course. You
must see Mr.. Hale and explain to him.
Tell him somebody l love-love, under
stands ill, and must go to him at once
Now 60 y
Two days later she arrived in the little
old fashioned town of her girlhood, where
she and Dick had spent so many happy
hours together. Her eyes filled with tears
as she came in sight of his house, and she
said softly, "How glad he will be to see
me-"
A neat, gray. haired little woman an
swered her ring his aunt, Clyde knew at
once.
81 am Clyde" she said, happily.
"You sent for me-Dick wants to see
me"
The little woman stared at her, unsee
inely. "Come up stairs with me, she
said in colorless voice.
Clyde followed her wonderingly, up the
narrow carpeted stairs. She began to fear
that the sweet faced little aunt didn' well
come her coming.
''He is in there" came the same life
less voice. "Go in alone.
Clyde pushed the door open gently.
"Dick," she whispered. There was no
answer.
She walked over to the big, oldfash-
Toned bed. He was lying there, his eyes
closed. A sob rose in Clyde throat, and
she touched the straight, black hair caress-
ingly. .,
'Sleeping, poor boy" she said softly.
ooh, how cruel I've been to him all these
years. Father above, help me to repay
him for his never ceasing devotion.
She laid her hand gently on his fore
head-but only for an instant-then drew
it away, fearfully.
Chow cold and damp" she whispered
with a shuddef.
"You-you sec" 1t was the little
aunt's voice, calm and monotonous, but
with an underlying note Of agony.
Clyde looked at her in pitiful bewifder-
ment.
"What do you mean ?" she gasped.
"He is Dead" said the little aunt,
slowly.
The awakening had come-too late !!