The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1913-03-01

bored"
Does your interest in episodes
like tonight always die so suddenly
holding toward the others, who had
long since ceased to pay me any par
ticular attention.
Nearly always"
Very well: since they have forgot
ten us let us forget them" | leaned
toward her. my voice was not sc
steady as it should have been. in
what manner would it benefit me to
patton in the great world is? Would
it put me on the list of your &C
quaintances?"
She eyed me thoughtfully. That
depends"
Upon what?"
Whether you were worth knowing.
l addressed other gentlemen in front
of your club. They politely said
had made a mistake"
They were old or married"
That wasn't it."
Then they didn't see you In the
light, as l did"
What difference would that have
made?"
All the difference in the world.
But you have tabooed fiattery."
directed my gaze toward the door,
and she surrendered a smile.
You might be worth knowing" -
musingly.
Il promise to be-"
Il shall give it thought. / should
never forgive myself if | were the in
direct cause Of your joining this car
nival of fools"
II see that shall last much longer
in your thoughts as the Unknown
refectively.
Eat" she commanded
81 am not hungry; l have dined."
Drink, then"
81 am not thirsty"
She took my glass and poured the
contents into hers, then handed it to
me. Now" she said.
"Why?"
You make me think of Monte
Cristo; what terrible revenge are
you going to take?"
1T will be upon myself; that Of
never forgetting you"
"One single sip!"
| accepted the glass and took one
sip. Now l have lost what l desired
to retain-my respect. So long as /
touched nothing at this table l held
the advantage. My name is"
She put her hands over her ears.
DON'T"
Very we'll: the woman tempted
me-"
Haven't you a better epigram?
Perhaps l am saving them"
For what?"
who knows that 1 am not writing
a play?"
81 live here; card will find me on
Thursdays after four"
Il shall come Wednesdays, thereby
saving you the trouble"
That Is not wit; 1t is rudeness. Do
not come either Thursdays or We'd
nesdays."
How shall you know who it is?"
Trust a woman"
"Ah. here comes the butler with the
liqueurs. 1 am glad. Presently
should be making love to you; now
am about to be free"
Are you quite sure with a pene-
trating glance. I believe she knew
the power of her beauty.
We'll, l shall be free to go home
where / belong" accompanying.
And l rose. Perhaps the drollest
episode of the dinner took place as l
started for the door.
Ever heard of Starlight" cried
Uncle Daniel down the room. mo?
Well, she's down on the winter books
at fifty to one. Stack your money on
her now; it's a hunch."i
Thank you"
Good night" said l to the girl,
bowling.
Good night" smiling.
wonder II she knew that I had
stolen the rose? On the way home my
mind returned to my play. Had the
fourth act gone OF as smoothly al
the others?
What girl for a man!
The curtain fell on the first act,
and the thrilling sound of beating
hands came to me dimly.
They are calling for you" said
Shaw excitedly.
What am l to do?"-nervously.
What? Haven't you thought out
something to sayT'-disgustedly.
Mary a world"
We'll, Just lead out Miss Blank
and bow. You're not an old hand;
they will let you on without
speech"
So led the young woman who had
helped to make me famous to the
footlights, and bowed. I do not know
what caused me to glance toward the
left upper proscenium, but / did
and felt my heart stop and
then throb violently. It was Miss
Berkeley. Heaven only knows how
long l should have stared at her but
for the warning pressure of the
actress hand over mine. We disap-
peared behind the curtain. I was
confused by many emotions.
While the hands were shifting
about the next set" boy handed
me the crumpled margin Of a pro-
gram. l unfolded II and read: "Will
Mr.. ANONYMOUS do Miss Berkeley