The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1908-09-16

claimed, lis that necessary? The
world that you seem to fear so
much will not be shocked If it does
mot know"
what do you mean? Not mar
riage-not marriage-now, when
there is no obstacle!"
''Oh, for u.s." said he, with an at
tempt at ease, ''it would seem
rather a foolish concession to con-
vention, that would waste much
precious time-sweetheart.'
Don't call me that until I know
what you mean. What do you
mean" Her face was flaming.
surely, that's plain" said he,
leaning his elbow upon the mantel-
piec and looking at her from half
closed eyes.
The scarlet left her cheeks. She
smiled at him. And so, Paul, you
can't bear to think of waiting an
other long year for me?
''You want me to live with you
now, you wife in the sight of God?
The mumbling of few words over
us by priest or parson could
neither bind us more eternally nor
sanctify with greater holiness our
grand passion. 1t would be ten
derer, truer union, perhaps more
oh, romantic, or whatever you
70
from the whole prying outside
world? Is that what you Think"
Eyes, dear. really l do. Don't
you?' His face was alight with an
ticipation.
"And there must be more prac-
teal reasons, too" she continued,
gently. II suppose that being mar
ried to a professional actress would
not especially help your--er-social
position. Your friends consider ac,
tors hardly as equals.
perhaps" she purred on, you
would not be invited to some
places where you now go, because
they would not invite me-? Though
they have sometimes asked me as
q curiosity. they would hardly ac-
cept me on even terms as one of
themselves"
81 am afraid that might be true"
he repeated. And then consider
your own welfare. There is no
doubt that marriage removes some
of the glamour attaching to a
young actress, and should hate to
think that | had interfered even in
the remotest way with career
which ought to be so splendid"
ooh. you needn't mind that" she
said. Il don't depend entirely on
glamour There is little more to
me than glamour
Really, dearest" he spoke mas
terfully and decfsively, as man
should speak to sweet, complaining
woman, you must trust me. |
think the way | propose is much
wiser-for both of u.s."
The debacle of her lifelong illu-
sion was accomplished in that in
slant. The scarlet rushed back to
her cheeks; her nostrils flared; her
eyes shot lava terrors at him.
LET me only thank you for one
thing-that | found you out in time
- she began.
But" stammered Paul; sylvia,
you----"
Don't interrupt me. you cur,
she Numbered. Hear what | have
to say-then go! | know you at
, last. 1t was time. Behind your
mans face is the brain of slavish
sycophant; within your athletics
great body is the heart of cring-
ing, shrinking coward. You talked
to me of courage; you. you dared
to talk to me of courage. When
you have no more bravery in you
than that canary in that cage. You
talked to me of love. 1t has been
lust you felt"
She raised her hands above her,
looking up with pitiful eyes. "Ah,
God, to think that in such leper-
GUS soul as his | should have been
able to inspire nothing but lust"
you don't understand" he be-
gan.
"Be quiet" she cried. you say
l might interfere with your social
position. Social position"
Her words volleyed forth.
what Is ii to mean but the
chance to go to the garish, vulgar
, houses of sure thing gamblers to
guzzle yourself stupid and talk
putrid pseudo sentiment to their