The Forrest City times., 1912-04-05
In the Second
 RowBac

l of paSteDOard, HIS "OiuS Ne'h4S AA4 ~HA even tones.
 "Here are the theater tickets l bought last week. If you care to go. we may as well pass the time there as in any other way"
 Before answering she closed her book and placed 1t carefully upon the table. She gave no hint of haste nor of the response that passed through her at his words.
 since you have the tickets, yes
 Just as she feared. he caught her wrist as she passed and held her in a firm grasp.
 Marian. what sense is there in this stubbornness? You know that l do not care SO much for the reason of your going as I do your not telling me"
 She tried to free herself That is not true" she gasped. You want to know why went there. I'd have told you, some time, If you'd trusted me"
 But, Marian, hear you've been go- ing there for month, and I've known nothing of 1t. You knew I'd hate 8 thing like that
 Your informant ought to have found out more Why not have him try again? I'll never tell you, never. No matter what happens, fll-never -tell-you."
 He dropped her hand at that. and she went on into the other room. When she returned she had all her emotions well in control. They reached their seats in the the ater just as the curtain went up. In the half light Marian removed her hat and coat, and tried to settle herself to gather the threads thrown out in the first act.
 Suddenly into the strained silence of the audience came voice. "She says she doesn't love him but she'll marry him."
 It was girls voice, and there was a familiar ring in it to Marian. Did she say she'd marry him?" This time 1t was an older more cautious voice. Yes, but she does not love him There was stir and wayering tit ter among those within hearing. Marian sighed and wondered If ever again she should feel so much inter- est in anything as one could hear in that girls voice. The play held noth- ing for her She wondered how 1t was with James. To her the pretense of enjoyment was becoming a bur den and she wished that they had not come.
 She says she does not love him. but he'll never know. Oh, it's awfully ex- citing" Again Marian felt the stir in the audience, again she longed to see the play with the heart and eyes of the girl. If she could keep her thoughts upon the actors she must for get, for little while. her heartache. He says he's buttinski. Oh, he s the funniest
 The curtain fell, the lights flashed up. Marian found herself in state of painful bewilderment Sometimes when she and James talked it over be- tween the acts, they could come to a better understanding of the play. She took a cautious glance at her husband He was sitting severely straight and still.
 Marian gave up all thought of following the play. An unexpect- ed tragedy had come into her own life and nothing could blot it from her mind. Each moment she was be coming more frightened at the out come of her quarrel They could not go on like this.
 Hector says hell stand by her to the end, if he dies for it. It was the girl's voice again in explanation.
 Marian felt relaxation of her tense nerves. oh, what a time she should have had to keep James quiet if-. She was back at the old worry again. II pressed harder. She began to be- lieye that she could not bear it much longer. She would have to tell James but things could never be the same again. He had doubted her and he mad been so cruel about it that he had forced her 10 tell.
 Marian glanced at her husband He
 ed ms throat and changed his po- siuon. The voice in continued con. yersatlon was tantalizingly familiar. cautiously Marian moved her head Just little way, and then
 "oh, mamma, there's the lady that comes to Helen's to give us the oahclng lessons. Yes, the one right hefe h the silk dress. the shepherds check. Oh. she is just lovely,n
 That's her husband; Helen showed nm to me yesterday. He is awfully good looking"
 Marian moved closer to the chair next the aisle and whispered:
 1-l wanted to buy that Gibbons Tor your birthday, James, with my own money. knew you wouldn't like my doing"
 Don't, dear" murmured James.
 lie Kept a firm hold of her hand pressing it gently now and again. She Knew that he was running Ter glove