Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1911-03-02
HIS HEARTS
DESIRE

!Ou 10 marry me since you wore snOIl
skirts and pig-tails"
I'm sorry, Boyd, but It can't be.
You know my ambition The stage is
my life. never intend to marry"
said Madeline Morris firmly.
But you surely cont think of the
Aftermath mean when the time
comes for you to give up your work A
career Is all right for a few years, but
in her heart of hearts a woman natur-
ally desires a home and some one to
love her.
u don't" she declared, avoiding his
eyes.
you mean you think you don't"
corrected Lambert.
You dear old Boyd! or course
cant make you understand. You men
pirate of superior reasoning powers. but
you have to own up that women will
ever remain an enigma. just couldn't
be contented back In Prairie City. |
must have a wider horizon"
Quickly his glance took in every de-
tail Of her pleasant suite of rooms, one
Of the best that the hotel afforded
then travelled back to her
"Maddy, so must go home with an
other refusal had let myself dream
of a different outcome. Your father
Will be grieved Before left, he came
to me with tears in his eyes to bid me
godspeed."
Father has Margaret to look after
him"
Yes, and Margaret is good and kind,
but you were always his pet"
Il get home twice a year to see him
and then my salary helps wonderfully.
Doctors haven't a reputation for being
good business men. Father has thou
sands of dollars on his books that he
will never get"
"Maddy, must be going 1t is get
ting near my train time" he interrupt
ed, rising. IF you ever change your
and home waiting for you In Prairie
City"
Madeline arose and extended her
hand. You are so very, very kind"
"Good-by, Maddy.
"Good-by."
He paused an Instant after opening
the door and gave her one long look.
Then the door closed and he was gone.
1t had been six months since Boyd's
visit when one night after the opening
performance in Chicago, Madeline was
handed a telegram. With trembling
hands she tore open the yellow en-
velope and read:
Madeline Morris. Olympic Theeter
Your father very low. Come at once
BOYD"
The next morning she arrived ir
Prairie City. Margaret. looking tired
and worried, met her at the train with
old Daisy and the queer family surrey
After warm greetings. Margaret and
Madeline drove home.
Father had a very bad stroke oil
paralysis. He can't speak," Margaret
whispered. Boyd says that he won't
live through the night"
They were nearing the old home-a
big white house with an old-fashioned
garden In front. On the porch steps
they met Doctor Lambert, a trifie older
looking than when Maddy had last
seen hinf
He paused for few moments to ex-
change greetings.
I'm in hurry, Maddy. have to
go to the Office, but I'll be back in a
minute"
Margaret stood a short distance
from Maddy during this brief CONVEX
sation. The actress thought the ex-
preston in Margaret's eyes was UNI
mistakable; her sister was in love
with Boyd.
When Doctor Lambert returned Mad
dy went up to see her father. He was
asleep The pale. wan face startled
her and her eyes filled suddenly.
Doctor Lambert brought her chair.
She sank into 1t and waited 1--WE min
utes or more-it seemed ages before
her father stirred, then opened his
eyes. His gaze fastened itself imme-
diately upon her. There came over his
kind old face a look of unutterable Joy
as he made a motion that Boyd under
stood
Reaching for a pad of paper and
pencil on the table, he handed them TO
Doctor Morris. In the meantime. Mad
dy had risen and was pressing kiss
after kiss upon her fathers cheek.
Slowly the pencil moved over the pa
per. It was such painful effort Then
when It was finished he gave 1t to
Maddy.
This was what she read:
Dear Maddy: 1t gives me great.
great Joy to have you home. God bless
you. My hearts desire-you know it
Boyd and are waiting"
"Maddy. answer him quickly. You
see his life hangs on a thread" Doctor
Lambert advised. rather sternly
Watt" she cried, her voice trem-
bling
You must decide" Doctor Lambert
almost commanded. Il love you. Mad
dy. You know II, then why do you
waltz"