The pioneer express., 1912-05-10

him but Marcia = but he needed d.
version. He also would 90 to the
theater. though he knew the play
would be driveling.
He bought his ticket, checked his
coat and found his seat. The curtain
was yet down and the orchestra play
ing In the dim place. Women were
chattering al about him.
The curtain rose In duo time and
revealed about what Stephen Wright
had expected little truth, much
mere rot. He wondered why people
should need Amusement 30 much
why this should amuse them. But
some Of It was not bad. It all turned
on Misunderstanding between lovers,
separated by the Vaccinations Of q
Jealous woman. The theme was very,
very threadbare and ancient. He won.
dered IL such things really happened?
In plays, unlike life, however. things
were cleared up. Everybody knew
why. There was explanation.
Gazing about between the acts, he
saw Kate at the edge Of box. He
studied her face. It was queerly
drawn and pale-almost tragically
worried. He had not seen her of late.
He reproached himself for neglectipg
friend Just because he happened to
be wretched himself.
He straightway rose and went for
a moments talk. She was very con-
strained and quiet. No, she had not
been i'll. She was efraid he was too
late about coming to see hen She
was starting that night for the west
to live with widowed aunt. Yes, it
was sudden. It must be-good-by.
AS the curtain went up she gave him
her hand. It was cold as ice and she
was white. He went back to his seat.
Was all the world gone wrong?
The wise old man who explained
things to everybody in the play held
the center of the stage in this last act.
Stephen found himself really listening.
"A man is helpless with women"
said the man in the play. "They
fight each other and use him for q
tool. They lie-and he believes them,
and perhaps his whole life is spoiled
by Jealous whim which he dies
ignorant of. Men come out in tho
open and explain. Women let pride
or jealousy make 1lends of them at
though they are angels
when themselves. You can't blame
them-it is a sort of insanity, not to
be straightforward. How they will let
q man suffer for lack Of word or
two!" There was more Of it, all
banal enough, all, to his taste, little
cheap, but perhaps with q grain Of
truth.
Then an usher handed him q folded
note. He glanced up at the box, but
Kate Boyd was not there. He forgot
everything, reading her penciled note.
It began without preface:
"Go straight out and sec Marcia.
She will be waiting for you, for be.
fore you get there she will have q
note from me telling her what this
nays to you.
Last November lied to her. I |
was afraid yoa loved her. I cared
myself. and could not bear to lose you. |
told her We were engaged, and asked
her not to come between us. put It |
In . way that hurt her selt.respect 90
that she could not forgive nor sec you.
Now have told her that It was not
tho truth. Kate"
Stephen gave q little gasp and his |
strength left him. He had neither
pity nor blame for Katet. He could
'nly think Of Marcia, her sweet eyes.
her sweet lips. her gentle dearness,
Would she love him again? He en-
lered tho first taxicab and rang her
bell.
The maid took his card. Then she |
,ilently led him to the library, opened |
he door for him, and closed Il again.
Marcia!" hs said, but she was
elose In his arms, '.Marciais