Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1911-04-14

never did. She never touched my heart.
only my eye Inc mind. I may be ca
pable Of loving any one: perhaps that's
IL. But what can have possessed Ter
to leave the theater this time Of
night?"
A 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
Is a tangible enchantment; and
fame and fortune had made Katherine
Challoner beautiful, roughly, daring
ly, p~uzzlingly beautiful. Her eyes
sparkled like stars on ruffled waters,
the flame Of health and life burned In
her cheeks, Inc the moist red mobile
mouth expressed emotions so rapidly
and i~rregularly 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
you here tonight"
II am not acting tonight. Nor shall
I be tomorrow night, nor the thousand
nights that shall follow"
Why, grill" he cried, pushing u a
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.
Her declaration was like a thunder
bolt. Explain"
We'll, I am tired, Dick; I am tired"
She sat down and her gaze roved about
the familiar room with q yelled affec-
ton for everything she saw. THE
world Is empty, 7 have begun to hate
the fools who applaud me. I hate the
evil smells which hang about the the
alter. I hate the overture and the man
with the drums" whimsically,
What's he done to your"
Nothing, only he makes more noise
h the others. I'm tired. 1t is not q
definite reason; but a woman is never
obliged 10 be definite"
mo; I never could understand you,
even when you took the trouble to ex-
plain things"
Yes, 1 know" She drew off her
gloves and rubbed her fingers, which
wera damp M 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-
tinued TO rub her fingers. She wore
SCS CT al LllSo, dIilOLB WHICH was a DILL
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, q grow
ing reserve, a thoughtfulness that was
slowly yelling or subduing her natural
gaiety.
isn't this determination rather sud-
den 2" he asked.
Il have been thinking OF 1t for some
time" she replied, smiling. A woman
always finds herself at ease during
such crises. only, 1 hadn't exactly
made up my mind. You were at work ?"
glanCing at the desk.
Yes, but I'm through for the night.
It's only a scenario. and 1 am not en-
tireiy satisfied with IT."
She walked over to the desk and
picked up a sheet at random. She was
a privileged person In these rooms.
Warrington never had any nervous
dread when she touched his manu-
script.
How is # going to end?" she asked.
"Oh, they are going TO marry and
be happy ever after" he answered,
smiling.
"Ah; her they are never going to
have any children" she said, with a
flash of her old-time mischief.
"Will you have a cigaret?" lighting
n and offering her the box.
mo; I have a horror of cigarets since
that last play. To smoke in public
every night, perforce, took away the
charm. / hated that part. An adven-
turess! It was altogether too close TO
the quick; for I am nothing more or
less than an adventures who has been
successful. Why, the very method I
used to max your OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
and years ago, wasn't it?-proved the
spirit.
She crossed over to the window to
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 she murmured, so softly
heard her not. And bitter indeed was
the pain. AS things are written, so
must they be read. She readily held
him guiltless; what she regretted most
deeply was the lack OF power to have
him and to hold him. Long before. she
had realized the hopelessness of Il all.
Knowing that he drank from the Gun OF
dissipation, h had even sought to hold
him in contempt; but to her he had
never ceased to be a gentleman, tender,
manly and kind. II Is contempt that
casts the first spadeful in the grave Of
love.
He drew her to the lamp and studied
a new ring he noticed on her finger.
The rudy lights darted as he slowly
turned the jewel around.
1T is a beauty. No one but a rich
man could have given a ring like that.
And on your finger it means but n
thing"
II am to be married In June"
do you love him?"
Il respect him; he Is noble and good
and kind"
II have always wanted a home. The
stage never really fascinated me; II
was bread and butter"
rs 1t necessary to marry in order to
have a home?" he asked quietly, letting
the hand gently slide from his. You
are wealthy, after a fashion; could you
not build a home of your own?"
Continued Next Weekly
MioA AAl~ Ta.L~ III A.