Middletown transcript., 1909-05-29
DELlLAH AND THE MAGNATE
BY DOUGLAS BLACKBURN

ou1i aoluSuOW1 WIG AaAa al oJ .
contriyed prettily to postpone the
promised introduction to the
dowager.
Leave it to me, she said; |
know how to manage the old
lady. She is obstinate, and, like
all such, prefers to believe that
everything she does is her own
initiation. If you begin to talk
business To her she would prob
ably be rude. Believe me, she
will eventually come to you, and
then you can dictate your own
terms.
AS a combatiVe business man,
Flotman worshipped success, and
he recognized and admired pro-
foundly the wondrous way in
which Gladys Turland was COM
manding it. She was making
rapid headway in her profession.
AS yet she was hut a favorably
known contributor to the enter
tainments of the rich, but she
was extending her conquests by
successful forays from the draw
ing-room to the concert platform,
and Flotman was satisfied that it
was her irresistible magnetic
personality and cleverness which
overcame all obstacles. She was
just the type of wife for an am.
bilious, pushing nan-the only
woman he had met so far that he
desired in that capacity. He
would marry her.
It was ata grand drawing.room
entertainment, at which the ris-
ing soprano had scored flatter-
ing success, that Flotman was
spurred to act upon the impulse
to put his fate to the touch.
She had contrived to be alone
with him in a secluded part of
the great mansion, flushed and
excited by the plaudits of a gen.
timely enthusiastic audience, who
had overcome their usual digni.
fed restraint by demanding an
encore.
Flotman seized her by both
hands, held her at arms length
for a moment while he gazed
in boyishly raptuous admira.
tion, then, pressing her helpless
against the wall, deliberately
kissed her, first on the forehead,
then on the mouth.
She flushed, but made no sign
OF resentment or acquiescence.
You must marry nae, he said.
She caught her breath with a
little gasp, as if she had received
a cold douche, and a look Of tri-
umph flashed in her wonderful
brown eyes that the dullest man
could not misinterpret.
Yes, yes, let me go. Don't
agitate me. I have to sing again.
And with a playful caress Of her
hand on his cheek she slipped
away.
They are all cold hearted and
afraid of showing their real feel
ings, these English women, he
soliloquized, and, feeling the ex.
magnanimity of the lover,
be forgave her, and impatiently
awaited her pleasure.
When three days had passed
without a sign he wrote an i'm
ploring appeal for an interview,
and personally delivered it.
He was admitted to her pretty
drawing-room at the fat where
she dwelt discreetly under guar
dianship of an elderly house
keeper companion.
She was standing dressed for
an afternoon call, and looked |
queenly.
He advanced with outstretched |
arms and a half hysterical cry.
Gladys, what is the meaning |
Of this? Do you doubt me?
She kept him off with her hand |
1t his breast. Her face fiickered |
with suppressed emotion.
He tried to embrace her.
Don't, don't!
With an effort she released her
hands and seated herself on a
chair, where she sat stiff and IN.
He was subdued. The frigid |
manner and the delicate, fragile
lraperies combined to forbid the
'acrilege of the closer contact he
7earned for. He stood before
Ter, confounded and confused, |
ike a defaulting schoolboy.
There is something wrong. Tell
ne plainly. What is it9 he blurt.
ID out.
I hope there is not, but I fear
here is, she answered, sadly but
yently.
Some one has been saying