Norwich bulletin., 1912-06-12
THE BULLETINS SHORT STORY.
THE WAGER

Lee turned to see a girl in brown coming up to him. Ills quick eye told him that he had guessed right. Her cheeks still had again the girlish oval that belonged there; the lines of her form had curved out-she was not only pretty, but beautiful-and a few weeks more would make her more beautiful.
 She told him with shining eyes of her enjoyment Of her work, and ex- Dlained that she had gone into the country for big rest and had done nothing but eat and sleep.
 Lee watched her that night and he saw that Fred's words were not over drawn. She danced with the lightness of a nymph; her trim foot and ankle seemed hardly to touch the floor, and her song was startlingly clear and sweet. Lee tried to pat himself
 Then came the butterfly chorus, and she did not go on. He found her stand ing little way in the wings, locking very uncomfortable. You don't dance that, Miss Reddon p
 The color came slowly into her face. 'No-I don't want to wear tights -wa-all oyer; buff you say so- Latson said you decided it-I will"
 
 the girls on the stage, and something rose in him that he he'd never felt before; he looked down into the up- lifted face of the girl beside him and realized that he did not want her to- No; l don't think 1t necessary" he said quietly.
 He saw the great relief on her face. Now, after the show, will you stop with me in one of my haunts2"
 She locked up smifingly. T have made 1t practice to go straight home but Will-with you" And she was gone.
 It was happy hour they spent to- gether in the secluded corner of the restaurant, where Lee made it his cus- tom to finger after the plays. He could hardly believe that the girl whose gen. tie brown eyes looked 80 Wlnsomely and frankly into his was the girl he had aided such q short time before.
 When they left the restaurant he suggested a cab, and she added with 8 horse. not a motor," and so they were seen rolling away over the smooth pavements.
 Miss Reddon, there has been a wonderful change in you" he said. almost before he thought, his mind led by the picture she made ia. the soft dusk of the cab.
 Her voice was tender with something that stirred him.
 Yes. know, and hoped there would be. When a girl here in this big city that isn't so half bad as some paint it-because-because there are noble men in it,-but when she is lonesome for a good friend, hungry-yes, hungry, without a cent, and-and-is fighting to save her-heF self-respect, and somo one comes who asking nothing gives 1 her opportunity and help-she has req son to change" sbe said. turning her face te the window.
 Suddenly, so gfavely did she say it, 1 that for the moment Lee wondered if 1 there was a hidden meaning that could answer the question in his heart. For his part, he knew he loved her-of that he had come to know there was no doubt,
 q do not dare to take what you say as mine"
 But it is-" she returned sharply.
 He reached oyer and pus one hand en her slight gleved one, T have won dered what it was, Dorethy''-he felt 1 her staTt-"thaf drew me to you, some thing in your face, yeur voice-well | you have made gaed, and the future | is big before you, if you want to keep ea-but have been dreaming tonight -WeHdeFing-if you would take an- other pagitian if I offered it?' His voice waFered in spite of him self, and he paused, knowing that here she could by silence of word give her decision
 ''What?" she asked so softly he could hardly heas. T am hungry for a home. and hungry for some one to care for me and for whom can care that means love. I can't offer you very much; Latson says in time you will star-it Is for you to say" he 1 said tensely.
 Tt Is you l want-not money or l fame, or anything else; something in the very gentleness of your eyes thai day when you saw l was-starying- made me love you, and it has been 1 growing since-dear." When Lee some time later turned over the mail on his table he found a letter from Graves. Dear Billy-I inclose S100. I went over one night to see, and there she Was-say, she's a dream, and ought to be in our show. Bring her over"
 Lee growled and threw the letter in l to the basket. Sitting down he wrote i an answer:
 Dear Graves: I am returning the check-the bets of. She'll never stag l for you; she's going to play with me the greatest play in the world, The Game of Life, and she's my star mine! Use this S100 for a wedding present. Yours, Billy."-St. Louis Globe Democrat