Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1914-09-20
MOCK ROSE


MOCK ROSE
gYNoPsIs-The Of Hearts Is the "oesca-ssn'
Soysd % Seneca rns IN TIE grSs,: var y q yshs'ano.
passions like his he Agains, Aim
sSon.ss for the seca.Bt witch rendered Tns helpless
cripple FOR ts Ala !; in love Win Rose SScshs twin
compass Aians death under dramatic
her love TSersss.r judith . 81 turn. snis':d by
ola hatred the new love, and Jealousy Of Roso
I-MAKE-BELIEvE
For upwards OF three-quarters OF an hour Of that
golden morning which followed the night OF hts
return to New York. Mr. Law was permitted to
esteem himself the happiest Of mortals.
The beginning of the period synchronous
with the slam Of a taxicab door that shut away
doved.
That sound spelled safety as we'll as success in
Alan's understanding Furthermore. it proved
signal for the taximotor 20 chant the opening
ures OF q song OF q single sweettempered note
To this the car slipped smoothly away from the
curb. pursued only by little gust of semi-rono
cheers from the little company Of working men
who had Witnessed as we'll as measurably partici-
pated in the putRtive elopement from the house Of
Urine
Vigant for any indication that their evasion had
had a witness IN that strange home of deathiess
hatred, Alan watched II through the little window
in the back Of the cab until a corner blotted out
the vision Of It; then with a sigh OF relief sank
down by the side Of the woman to whom his every
thought impulse and emotion were dedicated.
"Rose" he whispered, and tentatively touched
one Of the hands that lay clenched in her lap
She responded with never a sign to indicate con-
seriousness either Of his touch or his whisper.
And reminding himself OF the strain imposed
upon her by the experience through which they
had Just passed. Alan excused her unresponsive-
ness grounds Of reaction, and for the time felt
constrained to let his sweetheart rest and regain
hal for
IN the consciousness that he had won her safely
away that nothing now more than a short hours
drive across town and by ferry across the Hudson
stood between them and the marriage that should
prove the contamination Of all their trials :.
Barring accidentl
Alan had too often suffered the penalty OF dis.
appointment for overAndulgence in this failing of
his for depreciating the unforeseen. not TO make
the mental reservation, Barring accidental" with
little shfver of dread
Had any OF Trines household been cognizant Of
his daughters escape Alan argued. interference
must have been instant.
Despite the reasguring aspect, the preoccupation
Of his companion wore upon him that he was
presently no longer able to refrain from disturbing
her.
"Rosei" he begged again, closing q hand tender
ily over hers, Dearest girl, don't worry another
Instant Do calm yourself: remember we are safe
now; We fooled them handily-thanks to your faith
and bravery, sweetheart and everything is going
70 be we'll with us from now on. Over In Jersey
the minister is waiting now to marry ne; and down
at the White Star dock the boat Is waiting that Is
to carry us on to England the moment we're mar
ried. Think Of that-and that love you. Nothing
can possibly break the strength OF that oombina-
toni"
"Alani" she breathed gently "rt can't be trusi
I'm trying hard to believe-but all the while
know II can't be true"
He converted a skeptic with the mute eloQuence
Of his lips
Head upon his shoulder, the girl chung passion
ateiy to him. Tell me again that you love me! "
she prayed. Promise me you'll never let anything
come between US. Promise me, Aan-promise me
you'll be kind TO me always dearl"
Can you doubt win be kind?" he murmured
reproachfully.
81 am afraid -. :" she whispered
How could be anything else. loving you a.
do?"
You can't be sure. What II you were TO md
you'd been mistaken She caught her breath and
added hastily That you didn't really love me-
mean"
ION. that's ridicuiUust~
7 can't be sure. Nothing in life is permanent
What Is lover Illusion of the senses! What il
happiness7 wfllo'thewisp What is lite2 A
makebelisvei"
''Dearesti" He held her more closely still. s"You
are nervous and Ovsrwrought. You don't know
what you're saying You can't mean what you're
saying. But say that it's so-that life is all
"oh. but do. I dot"
And makebelisvs for little we've caught the
will-o'-thewisp-ouly for a nttle-untI you wake
up and realize that les all real and true"
She closed her eyes again: Yes" she breathed
you are right. Let's makebelieve IT'S an true for
a little longer and forget :"
He could by no means account for this stranke
humOr; but he did his best 70 comfort her none
the less tender4y because OF his mystincation And
sor long time she let illusion blind her. resting
quietly IN his arms making believe
1.-THE RING.
Theirs was the last vehicle TO swing between the
gate5 before these last were closed.
And this was quite wei: for Alan rising for
one last backward glance through the rear window
started involuntarfly and ehoked upon an exclama.
ton when he deserted powerful touring car tear
ing madly toward the ferryhouse its one passenger
half rising from the front seat beside the driver
and exhibiting . countenance purple with oongested
chagrin he saw his car barred out OF the car
riage entrance
Quickly sensitive 70 his emotion the girl caught
aorVously at Alan'B hand