The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1912-08-28
l906 By the Bobos- MernL
CHAPTER Xxx.
The Actors Story,

Inc AFTERNOON OF the next Gay DOI1l-
mick came home earlier than usual.
His New York friend, who was en-
route to Japan, had but a couple of
days in San Francisco, and again
claimed his company for dinner. The
theater was to follow and Dominick
had come home to change his clothes,
and incidentally either to see Berry
and explain his absence or to leave a
message for her with the Chinaman.
He felt rather guilty where she was
concerned. He had seen nothing of
her for two days. The only time they
met was in the evening after business
hours, the only meal they took to-
gether was dinner. With every spark
Of affection dead between them, their
married life the hollowest sham, she
had so long and so sternly trained
him to be considerate Of her and keep
her on his mind, that he still in
stinctively followed the acquired habit
of thinking of her comfort and ar
ranging for it. He knew she would
be annoyed at the two lonely dinners.
and hoped to see her before he left
and suggest to her that she telephone
for one of her sisters to join her.
The fiat was very quiet when he en-
tered, and after looking into one or
two rooms for her he called the Chi
naman, who said Mrs. Ryan had gone
out early in the afternoon, leaving
no message except that she would be
home to dinner. Dominick nodded a
! dismissal and walked into the den.
He carried the evening papers in his
| hand, and looking at the clock he saw
that he had an hour before it would
| be necessary for him to dress and
leave the house. Berry would IN
doubtedly be home before then; she
was rarely out after six, Meantime,
the thought that she was not in and
that he could read the papers in I'M
molested, uninterrupted silence
caused a slight sense Of relief to
tighten the weight that was now al
ways with him.
He had hardly opened the first sheet
when a ring at the bell dispelled his
H hopes. 1t was one Of his wife's hab-
it's never to carry latch-key, which
she looked upon as a symbol Of that
bourgeois, middle-class helpfulness
that she had shaken off with her other
working-girl manners and customs
Dominick dropped the paper, waiting
for her entrance, and framing the
words with which he would acquaint
her with the fact that he was to be
absent again. Instead, however, of
the rustic of feminine skirts, he heard
the Chinaman's padding steps, and the
servant entered and presented him
with a card. Traced on it in a sprawl
ing handwriting was the name James
Delay Buford." Dominick remembered
his invitation to the man to call, and
realized that this probably was the
only time that the actor could conven-
iently do so. There was an hour yet
before dinner would be served. and
turning to the servant Dominick told
him to show the gentleman up.
A moment later, Buford entered,
smiling, almost patronizingly urbane
and benign. He was dressed with a
rich and careful elegance which gave
him a somewhat dandifed air. After
bestowing upon Dominick greetings
that sounded as unctuous as a bens-
diction he took his seat at the end OF
the coy corner facing the door which
led into the hall. From here he looked
at the young man with a close, atten
tive scrutiny, very friendly and yet
holding, under it's Unfolding blandness
something of absence, of inattention
as though his mind were not in the
intimate customary connection with
. the words that issued from his lips
. This suggestion Of absence deepened
!. showed more plainly in an eye that
wandered to the door, or, as Dominica
. spoke, fell to the carpet and remained
there, hidden by down-drawn bush
. Of eyebrow. Dominick was in the
middle Of query as to the continued
success Of the ''Klondike Monologue'
when the actor raised his head ant
. said politely, but with a politeness
. that contained a note Of haste AND
. eagerness beneath 1t:
us Madame at homer"
mo, she's not at home" said Mad
ame's husband. But she may be il
. any moment now. She generally goe!
.. out for the afternoon and gets bacl
. about this time"
Perhaps you can tell me-" said Blu