Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1916-11-09

He Turned and Saw His Wife
ed on coming directly up. / wish very
much to see you for a few moments
Do you mind?"
"By no MEANS" he said, a little
stiffly but quite calmly. eff you will
be good enough to come in
He stood against the wall to let her
pass.
81 had to come this morning" she
explained, turning. "This afternoon
we have d rehearsal :"
He bowed an acknowledgment
"Won't you sit DOWN."
'"Thanlz you" Seated, she subjected
him to a quick, open appraisal, dis
arming in its naive honesty
Hugh aren't you bit thin
ner?'
4 believe so" He had a match fo1
that fmDertnence: But you, [ see
have come off without blemish."
Il am very Well she admitted, IN
perturbed. Her glance embraced the
room. you're very comfortable here
I have BEEN"
Il hope that doesn't mean I'm in
the way"
'"To the contrary; but I sail day
after tomorrow for Australia"
ooh? That's very sudden, isn't til
You don't seem to have done any pack
ing. Or 2rhaDs you mean to come
back before a great WhiIe?"
Il shan't come back, ever"
Must [ believe you made up your
mind this morning?"
Il have only just read the announce,
ment of your opening tomorrow night. u
"Thcn ! am driving you out
of the country?"
Her look was impersonaI and curl
Gus.
His shoulders moved negIigently.
ENot to rant about it," he replied: q
find l am not needed here"
ooh, dear!" Her lips formed fu.
gitive, petulant moue: "And it's my
fauIt?"
There's no use minctng matters, is
there? | am not heartbroken, and if
I am bitterly disappointed I don't care
ton fact, I lack the ability to drama
tie it,
"You are taking it well, Hugh?" said
she, critical.
EXpressi0nless, he waited an instant
before inquiring pointedly: "Weu?"
Deliberately laying aside her light
mutf, her scarf and handbag, she rose :
equality of pOise was impossible if he
would persist in standing. She moved
a little nearer.
Hugh" she said in a voice of sin,
certify TIN awfulIy sorry-truly /
am Y
He made no reply; waited.
perhaps I'm wrong" she went on,
but | think most women would have
spared themselves this meeting"
themselves and the man." he in
terjected dryly.
Don't be cross, Hugh. had
to come. ( had to explain myself. /
wanted YOU to understand. Hugh. u
She was twisting her hands together
with a manner denoting great mental
strain. OF a sudden she checked and
dropped them, limp and open by her
sides. you see" she said with the
apologize smile, TIN trying not to
act"
ooh" he said in a tone of dawnfng
comprehension-'so that's it,"
TN afraid so, Hugh. I'm
dreadfulIy sorry for you-poOr boy!-
but I'm afraid that's the trouble with
me, and it can never be helped. L was
born with talent for acting; life has
made me an actress. Hugh
I've found out something" Her eyes
appealed wistfully. I'm not genu-
inc"
He nodded interestediy.
I'm just an actress, an instrument
for the music Of emotions. I've been
trained to respond, until now / re-
sp0nd without knowing it, when there's
no true response here" She touched
the bosom of her frock.
He said nothing.
With q half sigh she moved away
to the window,
VI COL- 30 you teSpISe me. 1 de-
spise myself mean, the self that
was me before l turned from a woman
E7to an actress. But it's the fr17tE,
nave no longer any real capacity FOR
merely an infinite capacity
for appreciation of the artistic delinea-
ton Of emotion, true or feigned. That
that is why, when you showed
NE you had grown to love me so, | !
so quickly. You were in
Love-more honestly than I had ever |
seen love revealed. It touched me. |
was proud to have inspired such a
love. I wanted, for the time being, to |
have you with NE always, that l might !
always study the wonderful, the I
beautiful manifestations of your love. !
Why, Hugh, you even managed to
make me believe I was worth it-that /
ny response was sufficient repayment
for your alteration. :"