The Progressive West Virginian. [volume] (Williamson, W. Va.) 1911-1913, 1912-04-18
CHAPTER xIv.-contInued.

\ II
why, the old duffer is as happy as
a house af1re," said the boy. mot to
boast. I've done the whole thing up as
we'll as 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. 50 she's going to school,"
Go on talking" the actress invited
ianguidly. Il love to hear you talk
Montana! Don't change your twang
for this beastly English drawl. what
ever you do"
You have, though, Miss Lane. 1
don't hear a thing Of Blairtown in the
way you speak"
And the girl said passionately: II
wish to God spoke 1t right through!
I 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. II you ever go back
to Montana, they will carry you from
the cars In 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 | guess it 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 matinee
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:
Il send them to the hospital; they
make me sick" And Dan timidly
asked.
Mine, too?"
This brought flush across the ivory
pallor Of her cheek. No, no. Higgins
keeps them in the next room" And
with an abrupt change of subject she
asked: rs the Duchess of Breakwa.
ter very charitable?" And Blair quick.
iy replied:
Anyhow she wants you to sing for
her at a musicale in Park Lane when
you're fit"
Miss Lane gave soft little giggle.
Is that what you call being charita-
ble?"
Dan blushed crimson and exclaimed
We'll. hardly"
did you come here to ask me
that?"
i came to tell you about our mu-
tuai poor You'll let me call them
tnat. won't you. because l happened
to be in your dressfng-room when
they struck their vein?"
Miss Lane had drawn herself m IN
the corner of the sofa, and sat with
her hands clasped around her knaae
all sWathed around and draped by the
knitted shawl. her golden head like q
RADIANT hover, appearing from a bank
OF snow Her fragility, her sweetness
ner smailness. appealed strongly to the
Dig young fellow. whose heart was
warm toward the world, whose ideals
were high, and who had the chiyalrous
longing inherent In all good men to
succor4 to protect. and above all f.
adore. No feeling in Dan Blair bad
peen as strong as this, to take her In
MS arms. to lift her up and carry he,
away from London and the people
2 VINO applauded her. from the people
that criticized her. and from Ponio
towsky
ne was engaged to the Duchess q
Breakwater. And as far as his bein,
able to do anything for Lefty Lane
ne could only offer her this politenes!
from the woman he was going to mar
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"
III see him. III make it all right"
Please don't" she said briskly. 1T
purely a business affair How mucl
Will she pay?'
Dan was rather shocked Anything
you like
And her bad humor faded at hi
tone. and she smiled at him. wei
I'll tell Roach that. guess it'll max
my singing sure thing
She changed her position and DIRE,
long sigh as though she were yer
tired. leaned her blond head with it
soft disorder back on the pillow. pu
both her folded hands under her chez
and turned her face toward Dan TIL
most dsilcate coral-like color began I
mount aer cheeks. and her gray eye
rsgained their light