The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1914-05-15
ROMANCE AND REELS
BY BELLE <. MANDATES.

q wish denied or burden to bear,
was now confronted with the serious
problem of earning her living. Her
father had died suddenly, and when
the estate was settled there remained
for Joyce the sum of $100-
II suppose" said sweet girl friend,
who had always been envious Of Joyce,
that now you arc poor Herndon Thay-
er will propose"
Joyce WINGED. Herndon Thayers
alteration of her had been an open Sc
cret. but he had never told her OF his
love. He was struggling young law
yer, and he had frequently voiced his
contempt for poor men who married
rich
He had gone West few months
before, but Joyce had not heard from
him since his departure.
Il am not going to marry" sho re-
piled seriously. Il am going to earn
my living"
There were numerous suggestions
from friends along this line, but Joyce
had latent undeveloped amount OF
the practical.
"I'n 20 to Marie" she finally de-
cided, 'for lodging and advice
Marie was a former maid who had
married a chauffeur.
Marie welcomed her former mis-
tress with French effusion, and was
delighted to shelter her in the extra
room"
I'VE are going to picture show, Al
fred and l." said Marie that evening.
"Wouldnt you like to Gomez?
Joyce went with them and received
an inspiration.
THAT girl at the piano plays about
the game style Of music that | do.
Maybe / could get a similar position"
Marie chanced TO have an acquaint-
ance with the young woman and they
remained until the close of the little
theater Joyce had most satisfac-
tory interview with her. The pianist
was very anxious to "lay off for a
week" and had been looking for the
right substitute. Joyce was engaged
in her place and acquired the trick of
the reels so easily that she secured a
permanent position in a little theater.
1t was a very unpretentious theater,
Besides the pictures and Joyces piano
playing there was only a soloist. One
afternoon Joyce took up, as usual, the
accompaniment to the song that was
to be rendered. A pang of homesick-
ness seized her, for the song was fa-
vorite, the one Herndon had always
asked her to play for him. AS she
played the prelude memories of other
days came SO vividly that her eyes
filed with tears and she did not look
up at the singer When the first
strains rolled out from a deep bari
tone, Joyce's fingers stopped suddenly
she looked up and her wildly wide
eyes met Herndons ardent gaze. With
mighty effort she pulled herself 10
gether and played the accompaniment
mechanically At the close Of the
song there was an interval of few
i moments before the next performance
Herndon came dtwn into the little
pit where the piano was.
"What are you doing here?' she
exclaimed. How do you come to be
singing in cheap picture show?'
Il might with more reason ask how
you come to be playing in such o
place, but when l came to New York
yesterday | learned for the first time
of your misfortune. No one could tel
me where to find you. l remembered
Marie, and how interested you we're il
her marriage, and somehow ! thongh
she would know. l remembered tina
she had married Morton's chauffeur
and Morton knew his name. So thii
morning l looked in directory. Yol
were out. and bade Marie mott tel
. you had been to see you"
But" she reminded him. you hav,
not answered my question Have yo'
given up law, and why did you TAX
up singing as profession2'
II haven't When l left Marie's
came here and fixed it up with the SC
loist and the manager to let me TAX
his place for the afternoon"
"Why?" asked Joyce.
That's why" he replied. pointing t
the picture that was being displaye
to portray the efforts. OF young con
boy to discover whether his love wa
reciprocated.
Once" he continued, Il almos
dared hope that you cared. SO
thought l would take you unaware
and see if you did. | have loved 20
so long, Joyce. Do you care-a little?
You have just time" SAID Joyce
placidly, her heart beating rapid.
ito get up on the stage in time 70
your solo"
He sang to her, but she wouldn
look up at him. At the close of th
last performance he was waiting 70
her.
Marie told me to come home wit
you to dinner and wont you answe
my question, Joyce?'
You said you had loved me SO loni
!, Why didn't you tell me SO, back In th
old days? Was it because l ha
money!
Because 1 had none. That is VIII
/ gave up law