The Washington times., 1916-01-23

at last to stay away. But Il was the
cry OF Gex that reused her.
MY God! She won't be ht to play
tonlght-this ends the showr'
"Tonight?' she echoed. lifting her
her temples Tonight? 1 had forgot
ten tonightl"
but tonight is the only thing you
must remember" put In Philip sternly.
passed and think of-NORA."
II know" she breathed, sitting back
a sob, II knowP' Then her head went
up with a piteous bravery, and a smile
the director she said gently, "I SHALL
be ready tonight, Mr.. Gex. Nothing in
the whole wide world shall interiors
with my work now! Phil-if you'll wait
a bit outside my door, I'll dress
With murmured. gasps Of relief which
grew to voluble gossip outside, the
men shuffled through the door, but
when Langdon was on the threshold
Mary's voice stopped him.
What shall I do with the revolver.
Phil?" she asked. and there was
tremOr in her voice, Il don't think
David ought TO have It,"
Better keep 1t for your own protec-
tlon."
Mary shivered at the words, so on-
nous In their suggestion Of the possible
repetition OF the scene Just past, and
her fingers trembled as she drew on
= can, cry Tomorrow" she whispered
TO her own reflection. Tomorrow / can
be Just a woman; but tonight l am
Mary Page, the star. Tonight am
And as If the mere word was a
draught of fresh water. she smiled
away her tears and when she pinned
on her smart little hat, her hands were
steady and her eyes bravely serene.
1t was a serenity that did not falter
even when Pollock sprang out OF the
shadows at the doorway with an inco-
herent plea for forgiveness; abasing
himself huskily in last desperate cry
for pity in the name of his love. But
there was no pity in Mary's glance
when she looked into his bloodshot eyes
and when his voice faltered into ST.
lence her own tones rang crisp and
cold.
II do not understand your kind of
love. David. and / cannot forgive you
again. 1 can only beg YOU never to
speak to me that may have at least
chance 10 forget"
With head erect she. went forward to
where Langdon was waiting by the
taxi. but with her foot on its step she
turned again and said distinctly:
Il have kept your revolver-for my
own protection"
Nine words coldly spoken and over
heard by half score of casual loung-
ers. Nine words that were soon for
gotten amid the rush and excitement
Of the triumphant hours that followed.
hut words that slipped like flame from
lip to lip with. the coming of another
day
To Mary herself the words meant
little, and we're indeed no more than
a girlish bit of bravado-a rebuke and
Pollock received them. overshadowed as
they were by the greater hurt of her
preceding words.
He WINGED at the thought of his de-
feat at Langdon's hands and his cowed
retreat from Mary's room. but it was
her, chill Il do not .understand your
kind OF love, David" that bit the deep
est. why couldn't she understand? he
asked himself bitterly. Didn't she real
ize that there was a heart hunger be-
eide which the pangs OF physical star
walton were as nothing? Couldn't she
understand that there was love that
was like fire in a mans veins? Had he
been so dumb in his pleadings that he
had taught her nothing-and did the
fact that he paid her the highest honpr
he could in asking her to be his wire
count for so little?
The endless question became n torture
10 him. as he strode up and down the
narrow street. with the eyes OF his
chauffeur furtiveIv watching him.
II only he could talk to Mary about
II all! That was his next thought. If
awav from Langdon. awav from Dan
iels. and awav from everyone-to tell
her simply and humbly about his love!
Then. he felt sure. she would at last un-
derstand and put her hands frankly into
his. His eyes msted over at the
thought and his heart beat wildly. Five
minutes alone with her-when she
wasn't afraid-that was what he
sion which gained an added poignancy
from the bitter knowledge that she
would never again grant him such an
interview.
He could he knew. threaten to with
draw his support of the new play. but
on the other hand II It was a success
there would be a hundred eager finan-
ciers ready to take his place. No.
there was only one wav to do ito steal
the interview and win her pardon later
Involuntarily he halted in his restless
pacing. and his face settled into ugly
lines as he repeated the words to him
self-"to steal the interView-that is the
only, way" For a moment he stood
staring grimly In the direction in which
MaTv's taxi had sped: then. with a
short laugh. he turned to his own car.
The club" he said curtlv. and within
ten minutes was giving harsh orders
tocularly known among his friends as
Dawes Jackal."
1t was current rumor that Shale
would long ago have been sent up the
river IL II naun DeeD TOT POLLOCK s
influence in high places. and though
Shale himself elaborately and BIAS
phemously denied this, he never .QIes-
toned the orders that came to him
in that quick. decisive voice. He did
not question them that night though
1t was perhaps as we'll that Pollock
could not see his face). and the latter
gave an oath of satisfaction as he hung
up the receiver.
The second act had begun before he
reached the theater and again the re-
lief on Daniels face at sight OF him was
almost comic. though IL was blended
with a triumph tn. told the late ar
rival that the piaY Nas really a success
Glad you got here at last, Dave" he
said eNcitedly. Say, the people arc
eating II up. They're crazy over Mary
already and what they'll 90 when this
act is over heaven only knows. Just
wait till they see her in the big scene
but for that matter she's making every
scene big one. Are-are you going
back stageY'
Pollock shook ais head. 'I'H sit I'm
one of the boxes" he said, for a while
nt least" But though his voice was
cool his hards We're shaking, and one
Of them was tightly gripped around u
big keX-the key TO 2 suite in the Hotel
where little later Mary was
to be rendered the banquet that was
To- greet her elevation to stardom.
He acOwled at the sight Of LangdOn
with Mrs. Page az the opposite box
but ne .wss too busy outlining what he