Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1915-10-12

ina Ola not let her thoughts 90 fur
ther than the meeting.
II was a week before the half ex-
pected happened. The great matinee
idol did receive the locket, and he
did make his way to Martha Helder's
studio.
The conceit with which many actors
make their way in the world was
not lacking in John Ward. An all
consuming curiosity as to the per-
sonality of the girl whose name and
address he had found in the locket
which had been sent anonymously to
him led the actor TO make his way
leisurely toward that address. He
mad donned his most becoming habit
iments and his most enhancing man
ner. Surely a girl who had so lost
her heart to him was worthy at least
call Of inspection. She would be
quite overcome upon seeing him. OF
that Ward was certain. He thought,
deep in his heart, that perhaps the
girl herself, wishing to know him,
had sent the locket in the hope that
he would present himself at her
studio door.
Martha, being guiltless either OF
the fattery or the indiscretion OF
seeking an introduction to her idol,
controlled the wild beating of her
heart when his card was presented
to her, and went in to meet him.
When he had introduced himself,
which was quite unnecessary, and had
held Marthas hand an unnecessary
length Of time-the while he smiled
softly into her eyes-John Ward drew
forth the locket.
Il am lattered that one of our great
est miniature painters should have
chosen so unworthy a subject for
the expression of her art" he said,
and smiled that peculiarly fascinat-
ing smile. This locket containing
my likeness was sent to me anony-
mously, and, finding an address en-
graved within, took the liberty"
Address! What address?" ex-
claimed Martha, while a spot OF red
famed in either cheek.
The actor drew unpardonably near
to her and showed her the line en-
craving within the locket Martha's
name and address had been deliber-
ately carved therein.
She drew a swift breath and her
steady eyes held off the fiowery
speech that was on John Wards lips.
Il have no idea how my address
% h. I
painted miniatures of all our we'll
known actors for a friend of mine
who is an inveterate collector" Mar
tina lied glibly. She knew that the
situation required drastic measures
If she were to extricate herself
gracefully. Il will have to take that
ivory out of the locket now" She
looked quickly at John Ward and
laughed softly as If at a good joke.
How very funny" she added ut
almost looks as If some person was
trying to make trouble between my
fiance and myself as we'll as putting
you to a great deal of trouble to re-
turn the locket.'
John Ward bowed himself not I'M
gracefully out of Martha's studio. He
felt, and not without reason, that he
had made a great mistake in think
ing the girl capable of a hopeless pas
sion for himself. Martha had played
her part well.
When the elevator had descended
with her caller Martha dropped into
the nearest chair and pondered with
all her might Who had taken her
locket from her studio with the de-
liberate intention of bringing John
Ward and her together? Someone
who desired to see her engagement to
Alan Dobie broken. OF that Martha
was certain. She never quite knew
what prompted her to go Immediately
to the telephone and call up Alan.
DO you happen to know anything
about my miniature Of ,EOhn Ward?"
she asked with the fRnkness that
had first endeared her TO Alan.
Il am like George Washington"
Alan's voice laughed back at her
Did he turn up? | was anxious to
to hear how my little scheme worked
out. have known all along. Martha,
that you wanted TO meet him. You
are not angry, are your Alan had
controlled his voice so that Martha
felt only that he was DESTROYS Of
her happiness and not that he was
lighting for his own.
DO you want TOTO get-to break
our engagement-so badly?" In spite
of herself Martha shrank from what
Alan's loved voice might say. She
gripped the receiver with hands grown
suddenly weak. After all there was
no one like Alan in the whole world,
and all the actors on Broadway were
not worth one hair of Alan's head.
If Alan, big, generous Alan, who had
flung his happiness to the wind and
striven for her own, did not love her
enough to come straight up and tell
her so, then-Martha ceased TO think
.,,1 eo,,wa thos Oh mt