Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1911-11-17

why, the Ofu OuHST IL ab happy as
Q house afire," said the boy. mot to
boast, I've done the whole thing up as
well as l knew how. I've got him into
that health resort you spoke Of, and
the girl seems to have got a regular
education vice! She wants to study
something, SO she's going to school"
Go on talking" the actress invited
languidly. 81 love to hear you talk
Montana! Don't change your twang
for this beastly English drawl, what
ever you do
e "You have, though, Miss Lane. !
don't hear thing Of Blairtown in the
wayyyou speak" > #
And the girl said passionately:l Il
wish to God l spoke 1t right through!
l wish had never changed my speech
or anything in me that was like
home"
And the boy leaning forward as
eagerly exclaimed: "Oh, do you mean
that? Think how crazy London Is
about you! Why, if you ever go back
to Montana, they will carry you from
the cars in a triumphal chair through
the town"
She waited until she could control
the emotion in her voice.
Go on telling me about the little
girl"
"She was so trusting as to give the
money up to me and l guess 1t will
draw interest for her all right"
THANK you" smiled the actress,
you are terribly sweet. The child got
Higgins to let her into my dressing
room one day after a matinee. I
haven't time to see anybody except
then"
Here Higgins made her appearance
in the room, with an egg-nog for her
lady, which, after much coaxing, Dan
succeeded in getting the actress to
drink. Higgins also had taken away
the flowers, and Lefty Lane said to
Dan:
81 send them to the hospital; they
make me sick" And Dan timidly
asked.
mine, too?"
This brought a flush across the ivory
pallor of her cheek. mo, no, Higgins
keeps them in the next room" And
with an abrupt change Of subject she
asked: as the Duchess of Breakwa-
ter very charitable?" And Blair quick
ly replied:
Anyhow she wants you to sing for
her at a musicale in Park Lane when
you're fit"
Miss Lane gave a soft little giggle.
''Is that what you call being charita-
bIe?"
Dan blushed crimson and exclaimed:
well, hardly"
did you come here to ask me
that?"
81 came to tell you about our mu-
tual poor You'll let me call them
that, won't you, because | happened
to be in your dressing-room when
they struck their Vein?" 81
Miss Lane had drawn herself up In
the corner Of the sofa, and sat with
her hands clasped around her knees,
all swathed around and draped by the
knitted shawl, her golden head like
radiant flower, appearing from a bank
OF snow. Her fragility, her sweetness,
her smallness, appealed strongly to the
big young fellow, whose heart was
warm toward the world, whose ideals
were high, and who had the chivalrous
longing inherent in all good men to
succor, to protect, and above all to
adore. No feeling in Dan Blair had
been as strong as this, to take her in
his arms, to lift her up and carry her
away from London and the people
who applauded her, from the people
that criticized her, and from Ponio-
towsky.
He was engaged to the Duchess Of
Breakwater. And as far as his being
able TO- do anything for Lefty Lane,
he could only offer her this politeness
from the woman he was going to mar.
~.
Il never sing out Of the theater."
Her profile was to him and she looked
steadily across the room. Its a per.
feet fight to get the manager to con.
sent"
Blair interrupted and said: "Oh,
I'll see him; I'll make It all right"
please DON'T" she said briskly, 'ft's
purely a business affair. How much
will she pay?"
Dan was rather shocked. Anything
you like"
And her bad humor faded at his
tone, and she smiled at him. well,
I'll tell Roach that. l guess it'll make
my singing sure thing"
She changed her position and drew
long sigh as though she were very
tired, leaned her blond head with its
soft disorder back on the pillow, put
both her folded hands under her cheek
and turned her face toward Dan. The
most delicate coral-like color began to |
mount her cheeks, and her gray eyes
regained their light.
VIII two thousand dollars be too
much to ask" she said gently.