The bee. (Earlington, Ky.) 1889-19??, 1908-05-28
AN UNDELIEVINC
MOTH

I
agitated he could scarcely play his
conventional part, much less make the
clever remarks he felt were the occa-
sion's due
The Star-otherwlse NADIA Bartlett
was so used to masculine efforts
at brilliancy, which we're often signal
failures. that the words This is
pleasure" startled her. by their sim
plicity and evident sincerity, into look
ing quite definitely at the man who
said them. She favored him with a
most bewitching smile, sending him
deeper into the mire of the common
place.
Lets go out where it's COOL" was
his next remark, incoherent to him,
but apparently understood, for his sug-
gestion was seconded by a deepening
Of the smile.
Bruce Ware had made 80 many pill
grimages up those particular steps, It
seemed sometimes to him that he
must have worn pathway peculiar to
himself. For a Moth, he seemed to
himself to presume. But at the end
Of the pathway was the golden smile
of NADIA Bartlett, and In its witchery
he forgot to remember his presump-
ton.
This night was no exception. NADIA,
radiant in a gloritied gown Of white.
came to meet him with graciously ex-
tended hand
80 glad TO see you, Bruce. i was
feeling horribly lonely until the maid
brought your card"
Bruce. struggling against the desire
to believe that the pleasantly personal
in those words could have any deeper
meaning. smiled in a manly, whole
hearted way.
BE careful, or l shall soon be ad-
vertising myself as sure cure for the
blues"
Don't do it. It's selfish, perhaps
but I'm not willing to share my need
of your society"
81 don't think there's danger OF COM
petition, as long as you can endure
having such commonplace duffer
about" Bruce answered, with his
usual
Miss esrtlstt bent oyer huge mass
Of crimson roses and apparently
infinitely admired each separately
Then she looked up at him with a pc
culiar smile. Don't you rather under
rate yourselff" she asked, very slowly.
Rather, it is apparently you who
overrate my value. l don't know just
why. NADIA, you are so kind to me-
you who know so many brilliant
men" is.. 4
Miss Bartlett was a beauty, woman
Of the world, worldly. and an exceed
ingly clever writer Therefore no
logical reasoning accounted for the ex-
quisite and very evident blush that
tried to rival the crimson roses
Don't your" she questioned. ,paus-
ing for q wee time. Then she hurried
on: "SO-called brilliant people don't
always satisfy one. l feel so often like
a puppet that must dance lust SO, or
my public will tire It's drag, this
trying to keep the pace. can be just
myself with you. Bruce. and it's such
a comfort"
When you need comfort-when you
feel blue-though God knows why you
should-send for me-" Bruce admon-
ished. with Loyalty tender smile.
"Only them?
The almost whispered words swept
him to where she stood, still toying
with the roses
Don't look so, Nadal l can't stand
1t, loving you as 1 dol" He took her
hands in clasp almost harsh. "And
don't let my telling you this make any
difference. I'm always your friend, al
ways"
"Only that?"-with a tenderly wist-
full ghost of a smile.
That's enough for chump like
me. dearie. I'm willing to take
crusts."
quite willing?'
Don't, NADIA your sweetness only
makes me wretchedl" He let her
hands fall and stood looking at her
With a miserable attempt at a smile.
why wretched?" This time the
1iOAg VI hCA C9No AoAAi ~ NaAAACO NhO /
Moth.
"Because-oh, NADIA! You can't
eally care for chump like me? Can
'ou?"
NADIA INDUCED a fetching smile.
Praps | can't-but do"
Bruce caught her to a wildly beating
leart But he could not wholly be-
ieve
why do you, NADIA? There are so
many men. Men who have written
looks. music, painted pictures"
A slender hand put a check on his
Ips.
They are puppets like myself, play
hings of fickle public. But you are
man, dear. 1t is l who should ask
Why you care"
But the doubling Moth had ceased
o doubt, and, according TO a time
worm but ever new custom, he sealed
he bargain with kiss.