The Morning examiner. [volume] (Ogden, Utah) 1904-1910, 1910-05-01
WHEATLEYS
PLAY
By Barbara Cara,-Wl;on

She hurrlodly extricatcd herself
from his embrace.
What utter follyl must marry
the duke"
you shant"
He slipped his arms around her
again, but she moved resolutely away.
Il must | shall be sorry for ever
and ever afterwards IL / don't. It's
been the dream of my life TO wear 4
ducal coronet."
"Nonsensc" he said sternly
Lady Joan threw herself petuIantly
down on the sofa.
"Oh. you don't know a woman's
mind she mooned.
Yes, | do. ] know your mind is
Weighing love against social ambI-
tion and know love will weigh down
the scales"
You don't know how weak we
sometimes are" she went on, unhecd.
ing. TITS foolish and horrid and
wicked, but II marry any one but
the duke now / shall make him
wretched,'
Il will chance it,"
Four hours later Lady Joan. exauis.
itely gowned, went up the staircase at
Mrs. attersley-Smythe's She had
only been widow for a year. and al.
ways wore white or mauve still be-
cause she knew It suited her better
than anything else Her beautiful
face was flushed with triumph dia-
mondS sparkled In her hair, and at her
| breast
1t took long time to get up tho
staircase, but she did not mind. be-
cause tho duke was at her side.
When they reached the top he was
obliged to leave her. because of an
important debate in the house OF
! lords
He said something to her in q low
tone. which no one else could hear.
and fingered reluctantly, but nc was
man who always prIded himself on
doing his duty to his country.
When he had gone, Wheatley ap-
peared
Don't come near me-" she cried,
petulantly. Hes coming tomorrow
morning at II o'clock for my answer:
] can never forgive you for this after
noon"
Wheatley raised his eyebrows in
credulously, which increased her an
noyance.
Il hate you" she said, vchemently
What time do you leave this
crush?" he asked her carelessly.
- ~
want to get to the opera for the last
act and then 90 on to the countess
ball. Now so and talk to some one
else. A dear friend has just told me
our names begin to be brackoted, and
one can't be too careful"
They seemed long whilc getting
to Covent Garden
She looked out Of the window. Ev.
crything was strangely dark outside.
and they aeemed to be travelling with
unusual speed
Where arc you going?" she asked.
but no answer came to her repeated
summons,
Lady Joan became suddenly uneasy.
Horrid stories about people going sud-
denly mad flashed through her mind
Stop" she cried. Stop at once
Do You not hear7"
The man looked round, drew up the
car and sprang down Under the
chauffeur's cap she recognized Wheat
ley's face.
"You," she cried with sudden glad
relief. "Oh. 1 was SO frightened I
feel safa now you're here. But why
are you driving my brougham? Where
arc you taking me? Surely II is some
trick"
Lady Joan.' he answered quietly,
II told yod this afternoon you should
not marry the duke"
What do you mean7' she asked.
Are you running away with me?"
Something rather like It."
How dare you; she cried passion
ately How dare you,7
"A man dares anything when he
loves as I do. / love you with my
whole SOUL" he went on boldly, Il
would do or dare anything to win you
] hoped IL could get you away alone
somewhere you might listen to me be.
fore you promised the duke
How dare you.' she said again.
Lady JOAN" he answered coolly, 81
dare anything. as l have told you"
You arc very cruel" and there was
a sob in her voice. You think you
will compromise me and the duke Will
hear and won't marry me"
Upon my soul l had no such
thought" he said hoarsely. "Shnll
take you home or to the countess
ball7'' he asked in low tone.
Home at once she answered
He closed the window, mounted
the drivers sent, turned the car round
and drove back to town.
When the brousham stopped in
Park street. Lady Joan sprang lightly
out and ran up the steps without
speaking; but when she reached tho
top she looked back anXiously.
Aren't you coming in2"
al think not
He stood and watched her until the
door opened. then barred his head and |
walked quickly awey.
All the next day and the next and
the next Lady Joan was watching and |
waiting for a visitor who never camc