The Washington times., 1913-03-22

He was short, and he couldn't get the
backing he needed without me, his call
to his hackers. And began to think.
Il knew / didn't love you honestly.
Hugh, and that life with you would be
living lie. What right had l to de-
cefve you that way, just to gratfy my
love of being loved. And especially II
by doing that / sent to his ruin the
one man to whom. next to you. owed
everything? I couldn't do it.
But 1 took time to think ii over
really / did. I really did go to a sana-
torium and rested there while / turned
the whole matter over carefully in my
mind, and at length reached my deci-
sion to stick by Max and let you go
free to win the heart OF woman
worthy of you.''
so now you know me-what I am.
will. But l had to tell you the truth.
1t seems that the only thing my career
had left uncalloused was my funda-
mental sense of honesty. So 1 had to
come and tell YOU"
And still he held silence. attentive,
ing of the tenor Of his thought.
Almost timidly she turned away from
the window. picked up her handbag. ex-
tracted from 1t her pocketbook, and
from the latter in turn, with nervously
fumbling fingers, a small ticket en-
velope.
Max was afraid you might upset the
performance again, as you did on my
last appearance, Hugh" she said: but
/ assured him 1t was just the shock of
recognizing you-come back from the
grave-that bowled me over So I've
brought you box for tomorrow night
ber"
He broke in with curt monosyllable
Why"
"Why-why because-because want
you-I suppose it's simply the gratifica-
hays you'll feel a little less hardly to-
ward me II you see that am really .
great actress; that l give you up for
something bigger than just love"
short laugh. Besides. harbor no hard
feelings"
She started. losing a little color eyes
oarkentng with apprehension.
L did hope you'd come" she mur-
INJURED.
"oh. I'll come" he said. with spirit
Wild horses wouldn't keep me away"
Oh. I'm glad!'
Il really don't mind" he assured her.
mind excusing me one moment? I've
forgotten something very important"
why. or course
He was already at the telephone in
the hallway. just beyond the living
room door. II was impossible to escape
tened perforce with. In the beginning. a
little visible wonder, then with aston
| ishment, ultimately with a consterne-
ton that shook her with violent tremb-
| lings.
Hello" said Whitaker: get me Rec
tor, two-two hundred. Halo. Rector,
tWo-two hundred North German IIoyd
Ihis is II. NJ. Whitaker. I telephoned
you fifteen minutes ago about a reser-
walton on the George Washington, SAIL
call for the ticket before noon. bur I
now find I sha'n't be able to go. viii
You be kind enough to cancel II IL Won
please. Thank you. 'Good-by'"
But by the time he swung back into
the living-room he found awaiting him
a quiet and collected woman, perhaps a
thought more pale than when she had
entered a little while ago. and with
eyes that semed a trifie darker, but on
the whole positively the mistress of
why did you do that?p she asked
evenly.
Because" said Whitaker, frve had
my eyes opened. I've been watching
the finest living actress play a care
fully rehearsed role-one that she had
given long study and all her heart to
and her Interpretation didn't ring true.
Mary, l admit that at first you got
me: I believed you meant what yoII
said-that is, my mind believed you, but
only my mind. NV heart, knew better,
just as II has always known better all
through this wretched time of doubt
and misery and separation you've sub
jccted US both to.
And that was why couldn't trust
myself TO answer you. for If I had |
should have laughed for joy Oh
Mary. Mary" he cried. his voice soft
ening, my dear. dear woman, you can't
lie to love, You bctray yourself in
every dear word that would be heart
less. in every adorable gesture, And
love knows better always. OF course,
! shall he in that box tomorrow night:
Of course, ! shall be there to witness
your triumph, And after you've won
Il. dear, ] shall carry you off with
me-"
He opened his arms wide, but with
smothered cry she backed away, plac-
ing the table between them.
NO she protested. and the words
were almost sobs. NO"
"Yesr' he proclaimed. exUltantIy.
"Yes-a thousand times yes, 1t shall be
so!''
With swift. frightened dart. she
seized her muf and scarf from the chair
and fed to the door. There. pausinC,
she turned her face white and blazing
1T Is not true she cried. You are
mistaken. Do you hear nc? You are
utterly mistaken. ] do not love YOU.
You are mad TO think il. ! have lust
told you don't love you. 7 am afraid
of you. ] darcnt stav with you Cor
fo, of, l. IcCngSo