Evening journal., 1914-09-28
MOCK ROSE

N~yRSAAbhN A-'NA' NN'Nf--
MOCK ROSE
sYNoPsIs-The Of Hearts is "death-sish' en-
Dloysd BY senees Trne the private war Of ysngeaRes %
man OF violent passions he wages against Alan
'pons5e Tor the aeedsHt witch rendered helpless
douS though ia ali else her oppos Judith 70
sircnnstsn@es and y. S pnItngy "a % and vuWningiy
oia hatred @ Sd Judith & ' S,og. sy ssTns o oss
I-MAKEBELIEVE.
For upwards Of three-Quarters of hour OF tnat
golden morning which followed the night OF MS
return to New York, Mr.. Law was permitted 10
esteem himself the happiest Of mortals.
The beginning of the period was synchronous
with the slam Of a taxicab door that shut away
superfuous world from the company OF TWO WHO
loved.
That sound spelled safety as we'll success In
Alans understanding Furthermore, 1t proved
signal for the aximotor to chant the opening meas
ures OF a song Of single sweettempereo hote
To this the slipped smoothly away from tne
curb, pursued only by a little gust Of semiironic
cheers from the little company of working men
who had witnessed as we'll as measuraby paruel
pated in the putative eopement from the house OF
Trlne.
vigilan for any indication that their evasion had
had witness in that strange home Of deathless
hatred. Alan watched it through the little window
IN the back Of the cab until a corner Dlotteo OUT
the vision Of il; then with a sigh OF RELIEF sank
down by the side Of the woman to whom his every
thought, impulse and emotion we're dedicated.
"Rose!" he whispered, and tentatively touched
of the hands that lay clenched in her lap.
She responded with never a sign to indicate con-
sciousness 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 unresponsiye'
ness grounds OF reaction, and for the time felt
constrained TO let his sweetheart rest and regain
her normal poise: there was bliss enough for hin
in the consciousness that he had won her safely
away that nothing now more than a short hours
drIro forrr and Nv forrp HudqnT
stood between them and the marriage that should
prove the contamination of all their trials
Barring accidenti
Alan had too often suffered the penalty OF dis.
appointment for over-indulgence in this failing Of
his for depreciating the unforeseen, not to make
the mental reservation, Barring accidentsl" with
a little shiver OF dread.
Had any Of Trines household been cognizant Of
his daughters escape, Alan argued, interference
must have been instant.
Despite the reassuring aspect, the preoccupaton
Of his companion wore upon him that he
presently no longer able to refrain from disturbing
her.
'Rosel" he begged again, closing hand tender
" over hers. Dearest girl don't worry another
instantl DO calm yourself; remember we safe
now; we fooled them handily-thanks to your faith
and bravery, sweetheart and everything is going
TO be we'll with us from now on Over in Jersey
the minister IS waiting now TO marry us; and down
at the White Star dock the boat is waiting that is
10 carry us of to England the moment we're mar
can possibly break the strength Of that combins
tionl"
"Alanl" she breathed gently. 1T can't be truel
I'm trying so hard to believe-but all the while
know It can't be truel"
He converted a skeptic with the mute eloquence
Head upon HIS shoulder. the girl clung passion
ately to him. Tell me again that you love mel"
she prayed Promise you'll never let anything
come between us. Promise me, Alan-promise me
You'll be kind to me always, dearl
"Can YOU doubt I will be kind7" he murmured
reproachfully.
How could be anything else, loving you as /
.syou can't be sure. What If you we're to find
vou'd been mistaken" She caught her breath and
added hastily. THAT you didn't really love me, l
oh that's ridiculousl"
.T can't be sure. Nothing in life is permanent.
What is love? Illusion Of the sensesi What is
happiness? A willo the-wsp! What is life? A
make-believei"
''Dearest!" He held her more closely still. you
are nervous and overwrought. You don't know
what you're saying. You can't mean what you're
saving But say that it's so-that life is all
make-believe. Then make-believe you love me-
"Oh, but do, dol"
And make-believe for a little we've caught the
will-o,the-wsp-only for little-unt you wake
MP and realize that it's all real and true
she closed her eyes again: Yes" she breathed
you are right Let's makebeleve it's all true for
little longer and forget
He could by no means account for this strange
humor: but he did his best to comfort her, none
the less tenderly because of his mystihcation And
for 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
gates before these last closed.
And this was quite as well; for Alan, rising for
one last backward glance through the rear window
started invountarily and choked upon exclama
ton when he deserted powerful touring car tear
ing mady toward the ferryhouse, its one passenger
half rising from the front seat beside the driver
and exhibiting countenance purple with congested
chagrin as he saw his car barred out of the car
rage entrance
Quickly sensitive 10 his emotion. the girl caugh
seriously al Alsn's hand