Warren sheaf., 1908-04-09
CHAPTER XIV.
lis But Thy Name That is Ny.

Alfred GIQ not leave the dining
room, but seated himself in the
screened niche tLat lad hidden the
water cooler from the general gaze.
He was glad TO be out of the light
even the mild light Of sputrering can
dies He wished to think, to i've over
again some of the moments of the
night But the hustle Of belate6 dan
GERS and Sally B. hasty orders for his
supper annoyed him. till StelIa's Voice
was added to the habbub, and he
found himself straining to catch her
every word
It's most ready, Stella" he heard
Sally B. say as soft step came
nearer Every oody's gone, and
look out fur yer silk trail, I've Set a
table IN among them greens where you
an him play-aeted; but the screens
in front SOS nobody can see in the
vinder"
How dear you are," he heard Stel-
Ii reply
Huh. It's Vic that's dear. You bet
Al Vincent's the only feIler yic'd
make a kitchen fire for at three in the
mornin'. Yic's stuck On Al; says he's
all sanee red button Chinaman'
Stella made a light movement BE-
fore she spoke again oh, what nice
things to eat, and linen napkins, hem
stitched, And china Where did you
find IT all"
oh, them's some bits Of high life
I've KEEP hid fur spell You kin
make the tea soon's the water biles;
an take in the tray. I'm dead tired
Goodnight"
oh, Mrs Sally, you're going to
stay, TOO, aren't you."
-Lawsy, You don't want me. An
want 40 winks fore sunup-"
Alfred blessed her understanding
heart
You're so good To me- Stella said,
and the swish Of her siIken skirt as
she crossed to Sally B reached Al
fed's ear.
Shueks, Good for nuthin', I ben
young myself oneeL~
An instance OF silence followed, an
audible kiss and Sally B tramped out
Stella descended To the kitchen
Alfred was grateful for the still
ness, glad that, for the moment ever
Stella vas unaware Of his nearness
He would not speak TIL there was no
danger Of interruption
Vic Wah came in and put out all the
lights save the one il the screened
corner OF the stage Alfred heard him
leave the room and pass through the
kitchen, giving Stella an elaborate
goodnight before he shut and locked
the outer door
With the grating Of the key and the
assurance Of no further inruding, Al
fred slipped from the actual, the sor-
did, into the loye-land his Roneo's
dress recalled The darkness was vel
come Not even yet would he call
Stella For q moment he would dream
No need Of lamp or candle; the re-
spIendenee Of his visions ulunined
him The song IN his heart Lhrobbed
melodiously on, it seemed for hours;
vet il was only minutes, and 5ut few,
when the rustic Of skirts and a second
light appearing behind the screen
aroused him The ustling went and
came again, and a faint unkle Of
china struck his ear. Then he heard
his name.
Mr. Vincent softly; and after Z
breath, hesitaungiy, Romeo"
Alfred sprang out Of his nook, but
did not speak There she stood, above
him On the high stage the light from
behind the screen daring sidewise
upon her. next him the cheek he had
longed to kiss in the play, but did
not A little pale she was now, yet
so fair and sweet! Her lips we're apart
her hand lifted as If to catch the
sound Of his coming. How beautiful
she was. How sweet and vonanly!
And In the lonely darkness how ne11
and intinate-his own, his own!
She leaned forward 4 little, her
draperies flowing softly about her
feet behind the graceful staseedEng
Of fir tips, her dear, wistful eyes peering
into the gloom He knew she thought
him out there somewhere IN the dark;
hungry, weary, waiting for her He
was not hungry, he was not weary;
but he needed her-she little knew
how he needed her And no matter
how far asunder lay their future, to
night he would have her, love her, &C
cept the service of those dear hands
Impulsively she called again Oh.
Romeo. Romeo, won't you come
The tender voice with the heart
ache in it thrilled him, chided his 81
ience; startled him with apprehension
also. lest the association Of the name
lead her to say those other too true
words
IIs but thy name that Is my
enemy
II should be her enemy no longer
Here 1 am Stella He
whispered the last word as he caught
her doxn-reaehed hand and sprang up
beside her
hahv,S face fresh-Eaked