The Ronan pioneer. [volume] (Ronan, Mont.) 1910-1970, 1914-06-19

always treasure in my memory he
asked. May not keep it,"
ITO add to your sacriticia heap" she
retorted bitterly. II suppose you must
have goodly collection of those you
have tlayed"
II have few photographs-and few
friends among the women of the pro-
fession.' he said simply as he opened
Il drawer for an envelope. Il had
hoped to number you frst among
those few"
lie held the envelope toward her.
and for Il moment she hesitated She
seemed about to leave the room, but
she turned and faced him again.
"Iou told me once that you never
would marry an actress she said
tensely. WAS it Observation-Disclosures YOU
did not want me Oh the stage that you
that you wrote as you did?"
~ have made no secret Of my admi-
ration for yo,l." said Hartley simply,
land l may have made the remark
you attribute to me. but it was with
no desire to drive you from the stage
that framed my criticism as l did
Cant you see" he continued pas
sionately. the awful position in which
was placed? II praised your acting
| should have made my paper the
laughingstovk OF the town. If | spoke
the truth | knew that | should lose
You. Every line Of the story in this
mornings paper was studied that l
might speak as warmly as | dared
without stnltifying the paper"
ut WAS Il little better than the rest
admitted Norma. but | thought you
had been i; little kind so that l would
not suspect how you had induced the
other critics to be so merciless"
"On the contrary, | saw none of the
boys" he declared. II was far too
sick at heart to mix with them and
hear their ugly comments"
WAS | really as bad as that ?" asked
the girl wOnderingIy. II thought it
was because | was an amateur and
had til" money to hire the theater ana
the company. They always jump upon
the rich amateurs. | had heard.
thought that was it. Was | really as
bad ns all thnt?"
"l'"nt ask me-" pleaded Hartley, but
the girl persisted.
"Nou have II good voice and Il good
presence he said slowly. "You have
some crude ability, but that is all.
You lack the spark of genius. Even
money cannot buy that"
"fhrn YOU think l will never he an
actress!" she asked with uuiverny
lip Hartley shook his head, and she
turned away to the window, pressing
her brow to the cool pane against
which the slrrt ratified angriy.
For several minutes she stood thus
looking ont into the whirling snow and
hail with unSeeing eyes. while Hartley
silently watched her.
He would have given the world TO
take her in his arms and comfort her.
but in>'inrtiveIy he realized that she
must fight her battle alone She was
the one woman i'm an the world to
him and yet he dared not speak.
At last she turned. nnd~now her eyes
were smiling, though her lips still
We're drawn and white
"NhN struggle against unanimous
You must be right"
she conceded. II never shall make an
actress. and you said that you never
would marry an actress.
I'D marry you If you were Bern
arit ami Duse i'm one" he cried, ''but
rather would marry just you, dear.
Will Aou have me: In spite Of the
blow that have struck your pride
AN You love me:"
81 hate to marry a wife beater," She
said with Il wan little smile. but,
Frank. | think I'd rather have your
owe than to be il great actress, and
ton't MIND the notice-nOW."
Jimmie. coming in with Il card, turn
ID and fled precipitntely.
81 used to think that Mr. Murphy
ad the best of it. goin' to prize fights
n ball games" he said retiectively,
but guess it's Mr.. Hartley that has
he cinch. I'd rather kiss that pippin
han know the hull ball team"