Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1911-04-13
CHAPTER II.

down the bleak hillsides, when the dead
hand of winter lies upon the bosom OF
awakening spring, n h seed is in
travail. Heigh-ho! the world went very
Well in the springs of old; care was.
In bondage. and all the many gateways
to the heart were Fashioned and sen
tineled.
Sir. a. lady wishes to see you"
His valet stood in the doorway.
The name?" Warrington rose impa-
tiently.
Miss Cha!lcner. SIR
"~ChallOner!" i'm surprise, and this
time OF night? He troked his chin. A
momen passed. Not that he hesitated
to admit her; rather he wished to make
a final ANALYSIS OF his heart before
beauty. Admit her at once" He
brushed the ashes from his Jacket and
smoothed his hair. The valet disap-
peared. "If 1 only loved the woman,
loved her honestly. boldly, fearlessly.
what a difference it would make. I
never did. She never touched my heart.
only my eye and mind. 1 may be ca
pable OF loving any one; perhaps that's
1T. But what a have possessed her
to leave the theater this time OF
night"
\ swish of petticoats. a rush of cool
air with which mingled an indefinable
perfume, and. like a bird taking mo-
mentary rest in the passage. she stood
poised on The threshold. A beautiful
m is a tangible enchantment; and
fame and fortune had made katherine
Challoner beautiful, roughly. daring
~. puzzlingly beautiful. Her eyes
sparkled like stars on ruffled waters,
the hame of health and life burned in
her cheeks, n the moist red mobile
mouth expressed emotions so rapidly
and irregularly as to bewilder the man
who attempted to follow them. All, but
she could act; comedy or tragedy, 1T
mattered not: she was always superb.
Dick. you do not say you are glad
to see me-"
Beauty striketh the sage dumb" he
laughed. What good fortune brings
. here tonight?"
II am not acting tonight: Nor shall
l be tomorrow night. nor the thousand
nights that shall follow"
Why, girl" he cried. pushing out q
chair. He had not seen her for two
weeks. He had known nothing of her
movements. save that her splendid tall
ents had saved a play from utter ruin.
HGr declaration was like a thunder
bolt. Explain"
well. l am tired. Dick: 1 am tired"
She sat down and her gaze roved about
the familiar room with a yelled affec-
tion for everything she saw. THE
world is empty. l have begun to hate
the fools who applaud me. l hate the
evil smells which hang about the the
alter. i hate the overture and the man
with the drums," whimsically.
Whats he done to you?"
Nothing, only he makes more noise
than the others. I'm tired. 1t is not a
definite reason: but a woman is never
obliged to be definite"
mo; I never could understand YOU.
even when you too the trouble to ex-
plain things.'
Yes, I know" She drew off her
gloves and rubbed her fingers, which
We're damp n cold.
But surely, this is only a whim.
You can't seriously mean to give up
the stage when the whole world is
watching you!"
She did not answer him. but con-
ttnued to rub her fingers. She wore
several rings, among which was a bril-
liant of unusual luster. Warrington.
however. had eyes for nothing but her
face. For the past six months he had
noted the subtle change in her, a grow
ing reserve. q thoughtfulness that was
slowly yelling or subduing her natural
gaiety.
Isn't this determination rather sud-
den?" he asked.
Il have been thinking of It for some
time" she replied, smiling. A woman
always finds herself at ease during
such crises. 'Only, I hadn't exactly
made up my mind. You were at work >"
glanctng at the desk.
Yes. but Tn through for the night,
It's only a scenario. n / am moi en-
tirely satisfied with it."
She walked over to the desk and
picked up a sheet at random. She was
q privileged person in these rooms.
Warrington w had any nervous
dread when she touched his manu-
script.
How is it going to end?" she asked.
be happy ever AFTER" he answered.
smiling.
All; then they are never going to
have any children? % she said. with q
flash Of her old-time mischief.
win you have a cigaret?" lighting
one n onering her the box.
No; I have a horror Of cigarets since
that last play. To smoke in public
every night. perforce. took away the
charm. I hated that part. An adven-
turess! It was altogether too close t.
the quick: for I am nothing more or
less than an adventures who has been
successful. Why. h very method ]
used to maxi your acQuaintance-yeara
spirit. 'A'
She crossed over to the window Ia
cool her hot face. She heard the voices
Of the night: not as the poet hears
them. but as one in pain. He never
loved mel" h murmured. 80 softly
heard her not. And bitter indeed was
the pain. As things are written, 81
must they be read. She readilv held
him guiltless: what she regretted most
deeply was h lack Of power to have
him and to hold him. Long before, she
Knowing that he drank from the Gun o.
|0fo0lpation. she had wen a0i,ehT - knSS