Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1911-06-09
Observation-Disclosures
| Mary and John
By PHILIP KEAN
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Do
(copyrisht. I0II. By Associated Literary Press)

make inquiry regarding the girls pres
ent address.
bruce was given an address which
was not far from his own apartments
When he had finished dinner Druce
went in search Of the couple who had
lost the ring. Upon inquiry, the han
boy told him that Mr.. and Mrs. Venue
were at the theater every night.
For the first time the significance
Of the name appealed to bruce. Daph-
ne Venue! That was the name Of the
girl In the piay-the girl who had
stolen his heart. And she was mar
ried; her full name must be Mary
Daphne Venue.
bruce had not the heart to make
further inquiry but promptly hailed
taxi and gave the name Of the theater
He again thought of Daphne Venue
and the beauty OF her eyes and the
exquisiteness of her dancing, her
singing and the charm of her smile.
yet now 1t was as the wife of another
that he thought Of her.
Strange that she wore my flowers,
thought bruce as he made his way to
the stage box.
Toward the end of the performance
bruce sent note to the star. In 1t he
mentioned the fact that he was In pos
session OF u wedding ring he had
found. bruce knew that il the ring
was hers no other information was
necessary.
He received an answer immediate
ly. Miss Venue would be pleased to
see him after the performance An
usher would take him to her dressing
room.
When the curtain had rung down
and Norman Druce found himself fol-
lowing an usher to the stars dressing
room. an irritating excitement pos
sessed him.
Dozens of chorus girls brushed
laughingly past him, but he was I'M
conscious OF their glances-
Outside the door. bruce had to wait
a moment When 1t opened and Daph-
ne Venue stood before him in sim
pie clingy little gown of golden brown
and her beautiful face free frun
makeup, bruce expected his heart to
stop beating-she was so pure and
sweet and wonderful in her simple
attire.
you are Mr.. Drucef" she ques-
toned. as she held open the door for
him to enter.
For answer and partly because 1t
was difficult to speak. bruce held out
the wedding ring.
She took It eagerly. "Oh, how good
of you to bring II to mellow In the
world did you ever find out to whom
II belongedf"
Il went to the church and looked up
all the Marys and Johns who had
ever married." bruce laughed.
Daphne Venue joined him and her
eyes looked squarely into his. 1T was
very, very good Of you and I thank
you. Mr.. Venue will be even more de-
lighted than am-he was very much
upset about the loss"
Il assure you'll can't blame him"
Try az he might bruce could not
help the admiration in his eyes.
There seemed to be nothing more
to say and bruce turned as II he
would go. =
You won't mind, Mrs. Venue. II
send you a floral tribute now and
again-iilies of the valley-they added
u charming touch to your costume last
night. am an admirer of your, work"
1T was you who sent me those
beauties last night7 thank you very
much-look!" She pointed to her
dressing table and bruce saw his
flowers. Il love to smell them while
dressing" Daphne Venue said.
IT must co." Norman bruce held
out his hand and she slipped hers
into It.
wouldn't you like to meet my
brother? He can thank you himself
for having restored his wedding
ring"
"Your brotheri" bruce turned
quickly and caught the dawn Of a
smile in Daphne's eyes.
"Yes-he often brings me to the
theater-so I won't get lost" She
smiled whimsically. 1T was no doubt
then that he dropped his ring. Ny
sister-in-law. Mary Daphne Venue. be-
lieves in the foreign custom Of a man
wearing a ring, also"
But your name-Daphne vennef"
A giadness had come into Druce's
heart.
Daphne laughed mischievously. my
own first name is Priscilla and it
hardly suits the profession. so took
Mrs. Venues name Of"
Daphne" finished bruce with q pc
culiar tenderness in his voice. you
viii let me take you home tonight.
won't your l want to meet the broth
er who 80 thoughtfully lost his ring"
Daphne looked for q moment into
his eyes.
"Yes," she said. "and we win have q
nice little supper-all four Of us
But tomorrow night-oEly you and
T." said Druce. as they stepped into
cab.
- Mo-exxx~.oI~~,