The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1908-05-13
The Awakening.
BY MabeIle M. Harvey.

manly and desperately in love with
her-he thought he had never quite
realized how very desirable she was
Now, Dicky, you know you don't
mean half that nonsense" she said,
tucking a rebellious curl up under her
sunbonnet.
Dicks eyes were very serious.
what a child you are" he said ten
DERBY. ITO think of your going away
from all those who really love YOU. to
an unknown world-the stage world.
Clyde, dear, don't you realize how
foolish it is-how unlike you? Why,
little girl, you can't stand the life
it's absolutely impossible"
A pair of big stormy eyes flashed
up at him and the wonderful little
dimple had entirely disappeared.
Now, Dick. it's useless for you 10
talk to me like that Haven't | been
waiting for three long years for just
this opportunity, and now that it's
really come you-the person who pro-
| fesses TO love me more than anybody
| else in the whole world-try in every
! possible way TO prevent me realizing
my ambition. | should think you
would be the one to help me, not
stand selfishly in my light
The man was silent He realized
how, for the first time, the hopeless
ness OF trying to overcome Clyde's
determination to go on the stage He
had loved hpr in pood cloan r,op1v
way ever slice she was a little 10.
yearold girl. and now, after long
years of hard work and ceaseless
economy. he had saved enough to buy
a little home, the terrible stage demon
had conquered and she was really
going away from him-out into the
grea3 unsympa1hetic world-aIone.
His voice was unsteady when he
spoke again. when do you go,
dear?"
The dimple was in evidence once
more. TN two weeks, Dicky boy"
she said excltedly. Only think, IA
more days and Ill be a really, truly
actress!"
She stood up and shook out the
folds of her dainty pink gown. II
must run along home now Mother
will be looking Tor me. By-py. dear.
A woman, starryeyed and won
drously beautiful, stood before a win.
dow, gazing out into the cold gray
winter afternoon.
What shall my answer be?" she |
said, thoughtfully. 81 must decide |
soon. He will be here within the |
next hour, and am still as undecided |
as | was two months ago A coun- |
tess! Quite alluring, and yet
The fair brow wrinkled into a frown |
and she moved away from the win
dow, restlessly, A telegram was w. |
ing on the table, addressed to her,
and she picked it up, carelessly.
Dick ILL., Calls ceaselessly for
you. Come If possible.
AUNT DORA.
Her face was white. Dick ill.,"
she said slowly. 'Dick-after all
these years. why, / must start at
once. Lena-Lena, come here quickly.
Pack my bag Immediately I shall be
away for an indefinite time Don't
stand there staring at me idiotically.
but do as tell you. No, shan't play
tonight. of course. You must see Mr..
Hale and explain to him. Tell him
somebody | love--love, understand
is i'll, and must go to him at once.
Now go!"
Two days later she arrived In the
little old-fashioned town OF her girl.
hood, where she and Dick had spent
so many happy hours together. Her
eyes filled with tears as she came IN
sight of his house. and she said softly.
How glad he will be to see me"
A neat. Sray-haired little woman an.
;wered her ring-his aunt, Clyde
Knew at once
II am Clyde" she said. happily.
You sent for me-Dick wants to see
ne"
The little woman stared at her un.
eeingly. Come upstairs with me-"
he said in a colorless voice.
Clyde followed her wonderingly. I'D
he narrow carpeted stairs She be.
an TO fear that the sweet-faced little
unit didn't welcome her coming.
He Is In there" came the same
feless voice. Go in alone"
Clyde pushed the door open gently.
Dick" she whispered. There was
o answer
She walked over TO the big. old.
ishioned bed He was living there
is eyes closed. A sob rose I'm CIvde's
lroat, and she touched the straight.
lack hair caresslngly
Sleeping. poor boy" she said soft.
. oh. how cruel I've been TO him :
] these years. Father above holm y
e to repay him for his never-ceasing ..
evotion.
She laid her hand gently on his
rehead-but only for an instant
zen drew II away, fearfully.
How cold and damp" she wbis. d.
red with a shudder. n,
"YOu-you see" II was the little p
lnt's voice, calm and monotonous. d.
Ut with an underlying note of agony. 81
Clyde looked at her in pitiful Devil.