Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-05-28
AN UNBELIEvINC
MOTH
BY q. s. PHILIPPE

dSltdteu ne Couiu S'd't''y PA"' ~
conventional part. much less make the
clever REMARKS he felt were the occa'
sion's due.
The Star-Otherwise NADIA Bartlett
was so used to masculine erorts
at brilliancy, which were 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 VINO
said them. She favored him with
most bewitching smile. sending him
deeper into the miro of the common
place.
Lets 60 out where It's cool" was
his next remark. incOherent TO MIN.
but apparently understood for his sug-
gestion was seconded by deepening
Of the smile.
Bruce, Ware had made so many pill
grinages up those particular steps, IL
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 witchcry
he forgot to remember his presump-
ton.
This night was no exception. NADIA.
radiant in a giorited gown OF white,
came to meet him with graciously ex-
tended hand.
so glad to see you. Bruce ! 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 I shall soon be ad-
vertis;ng myself as sure cure for the
blues
Don't do 1t. It's selfish. perhaps
but I'm not willing to share my need
Of your society"
Il don't think there's danger of com
petition. as long as you can endure
having such a commonplace duher
about" Bruce answered, with his
usual simple directness.
Miss Bartlett bent over a huge mass
Of crimson roses and apparently
infinitely admired each separately.
Then she looked up at him with pc
culiar smile. Don't you rather under
rate YOURSELF" she asked, very slowly.
Rather. it is apparently you who
overrate my value. don't know just
why. NADIA, you are so kind to me-
you who know SO many brilliant
men,"
Miss Bartlett was q 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 you?" she questioned. paus.
ing for a wee time. Then she hurried
on: "Socalled brilliant people don't
always satisfy one. feel so often like
a puppet that must dance just so. or
my public will tire. It's 4 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-thoush God knows why you
should-send for me-" Bruce admon.
ished. with a loyalty tender smile.
Only them"
The almost whispered words swept
him to where she stood. still toying
with the roses.
Don't look so. NADIA, can't stand
1t. loving you as / do" He took her
hands In a 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 tenderiy visit
full ghost Of smile.
That's enough for q chump like
me. dearie. I'm willing to take
crus;s."
Quite willing?"
Don't NADIA, Your sweetness only
makes me wretched." He let her
hands fall and stood looking at her
with a miserable attempt at smile.
Why wretched!' This time the
glory of her eyes fairly dazzled the
Moth.
-Recause-oh. NADIA, YOU can't
really care for a chump Hike me? Can
YOU"
NADIA INDUCED a fetching smile.
"Praps I cant-but ] do.
Bruce caught her to wildly beating
heart. But he could not wholly be
lieve.
Why do you. NADIA There are so
MANY men. Men who have written
books. music. painted pictures"
A slender hand put a check on his
Sips
They are puppets like myself. play
things Of a fsckIe public. Bu; Won are
a man. dear. u 10 ! who should ask
why you care