The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-09-17
CHATTER ylfI.-Continned

Suppose all these people out there
had hated and Missed me, instead OF
applauding?" asked. Would you still
be proud OF me. still care for me?''
I'D love you batter, IL there could
be a better" he answered, holding
me very close.
You know. dearest one, most bcauti-.
full one, that I'm Jealous brute.
can't bear you to belong to others
even to the public that appreciates you
almost as much as you deserve to be
appreciated. OF course. I'm proud that
they adore you, but I'd like to take
you away from them and adore you all
by myself. Why, II the whole wc/i
turned against you, there'd be kind
OF JOY In that for me. I'd be 80 glad
OF the chance to face ii for you, 10
shield you from 1t always"
Then. what is there would make you
love me Iess?" went on. dwelling on
che subject with dreadful fascination
as one looks over the brink OF preci-
.oice.
Nothing on Gods earth-while you
kept true to me-
And II wern't true--if deceived
your"
why. I'd kill you--and myself ar
ter. But 1t makes me see red---a
blazing scarlet--even TO think of such
it-when It's beyond possibility thank
heaven? / know you love me, or you
wouldn't make such noble sacrifices to
J save me from ruin
shlvercd and shall not be colder
when they lay me In my coffin. I
wished that I had not looked over that
precipice,, down into hlackness. why
dwell on horrors, when ! might have
five minutes of appiness--perhaps the
~, T S1ev
the piece of good news ] had for Raoul.
I would have told him then, but he
went on, saying to me so many things
sweet and blessed to- hear. that l could
not bear to cut him short, lest never
after this should he speak words of
love to me. Then-long before 1t
ought, so 1t seemed to me--the clock
Mn my dressing room struck, and I
knew that ] hadn't another instant to
spare. On some first nights, might
nave been willing to risk keeping the
curtain down Though / am rather con-
sclentious in such ways). but Tonight
II wanted more than anything else. to
have the play over, and to get home
sEoldni efore.a sa hat m Y sil s.
pence might be ended. and ] might
know the worst-orS best.
must so. You must leave me,
dear" said. But I've some good news
for YOU when there's time to explain,
and a great surprise. can't give You
I've almost to open the third and
fourth acts. But when the curtain
goes down on my death scene, come
behind again. shan't take any ca lis
after dying: It's too inartistic. isn't
IT? And I never do. I'll see you for
lust a few more minutes here, in this
room, before dress to go home.
..For few minutes!' Raoul caught
me up. "Rut afterwards? Youpronlised
me long ago That should have sup
per with you at your. house-just YOU
and alone together--on tho first
night Of the new play"
MY heart gave a jump as he renlind-
ed Of this promise. Never before had
I forgotten an management with Raoul,
But this time had forgotten. There
had been SO many miserable things
to think Of. that they had crowded the
one pleasant thing out OF my tortured
unfairly with a. start of surprise. "a
You'd forgotten!" exclaimed Raoul.
disappointed and hurt.
"Only for the Instant said Che,
cause I'm hardly myself. I'm tired and
excited, unstrlng, as I always am on
#flrst5nights. Butt
"Would you rather not be bothered
with me?" he asked Wistfully, as I
paused to think what I should do, N 5s
His eyes looked as IL, the flight had
suddenly gone ont of them, and 4
couldn't bear that, ut might too soon
The strrcl, out forever, and by me, 5
Don't say 'bothered' renroached
him. That's cruel word, The SHuesr
gtion is--I'm Worn out. i don't think
al shall boz able to eat supper, My maid
will want to put mo to bed the minute I
get home. POOR old Marianne! She's
such a tYrant, when she fancies n It's for
a,,aYl good. 1T genelAllY ends In my