Middletown transcript., 1911-01-28

back on the couch, bis eyes clos !
ed, his head dropped forward.
He was unconscious.
Morrison hastily poured some
wine from. an accessible decanter
and was administering it when
Selma Forster entered.
The woman grasped the situa-
tion. Stephen, she whispered,
kneeling beside the couch and
ignoring the manager. Stephen,
take this, dear. She forced the
wine between the thin lips, and
the man returned TO conscious
ness with q smile on his lips and
a look of triumph in his eyes.
I've won, Selma! I've won at
last! This is Dexter Morrison.
He came to tell me he has &C,
cepted one, Of my plays. | al
ways told you So
Yes, dear, she said gently. She
glanced up at the man beside
her, but she could not meet his
gaze; she. knew that bis eyes
condemned her.
You don't act as il you were
glad, Selma! cried Forester peey-
ishly. | thought you would be
so happy.
am glad, for your sake more
glad than I can say. lit came
to me so suddenly-that's why |
lost myself.
Morrison detected the difference in her
attitude when she spoke 10 her husband.
The was all tenderness, like heart
broken mother humoring child who
was III beyond material aid, He saw the
brave, hopeful smile she wore when ad-
dressing him. For moment she turned
to the visitor.
My husband has travelled long road
10 fame, has he not, Mr.. Morrison? Her
smiling words did not deceive Morrison.
His broad acquaintance with human
nature told him that this woman was
piaying part-a hard, cruel part. Sud.
denly an idea occurred 20 him, and he
hoped, with al his soal, thai before the
night was over his intuition would be
borne out in her favor, Meantime she
was battling with delicate situation, and
be stood ready to render any support
that was in bis power.
He'll soon forget his trouble now, said
Morrison cheerfullY. ! have brought tbs
contract for You TO look over, addressing
Forester.
Oh, please, not tonight, Mr.. Morrison
Selma said nervously, her face flushing
II think my husband needs rest
A you say, answered Morrison. Tina
she wished to keep further Information
about the play from the invalid wa
plain.
I guess I'm at the end Of my rope fo
to night, acquiesced Forester; but, Selma
couldn't you talk it over, to save time2
| A good idea, dear-and you'll rest
She made him comfortable, then turned
to Morrison. I've always transacted th'
business, anyhow. Come, she smiled
and beckoned him to follow.
Size led the way to their small dining
room at the end OF the ball, turned on th'
shaded lights, and offered him q seat.
| Morrison did not sit down. She closeC
the door, drew q long breath, and stood
before him, her head dropping pathetical
| ly. Hers was proud litils head, anc
the humiliation seemed great.
The man stood looking at her, unable
to speak for sheer pity Of her. The Eli
ence became tense. Every muscle il
Morrison's body was strained to the ut
most at finding himaclt in such EXCLUSIVES
proximity 10 the woman who seemed 4
reach 60 far into his life as To make hin
incapable Of fair thinking. The whole
atmosphere held him spellbound-th'
soft lights, the little room, with TIN
clever makeshifts that only the re6ued
creative mind could conceive and tht
ANALYTICAL detect There was the meree
suggestion OF fragrance-no doubt from
the woman's person. His seuses wer
inthralled; lie was realizing. in part,
dream picture that haunted him il
moments Of reverie.
He pulled himself together
What am TO say? she was whispering
without raising her eyes.
Nothing, il it pains sou.
Rut-T have deceived you.
The deception, I'm sure, was JUST
fable and from an unselfish. motive. !.
Thank you. Sit down and let me tel
you. must take you into my con
fdence and ask you 70 aid me.
He seated himself N the shadow, wher
he could watch the play Of her features
surmise, be veutured, that you did no
write the play.
Oh, yes. wrote every word OF il.
You wrote il? be cried eagerly.
She nodded.
Then nothing else matters. My disap
pointmens lay only in the thought tina
you we're gloring 10 the reputation Of an
other.
A radiant smile shone in her eyes.
Every thought, every word Of the pin.
is my own; bnt my husband does no
suspect it. could not tell him. Ii scenes
too cruel
You must know he would discover ]
in time.
!! Perhaps; but I did not look 90 far ahead
had nj time 70 tell you. ] had INTENDED
to come to yon Tor advice,