Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-08-05

clear cut again5t the white Of the
wheelhouse, and It seemed to me
when he had gone that something
bright and vital and young had passed
out Of me, leaving In its stead dis
enlargement and darkness and age.
would you mind walking with me
up to my cabin?" Ollie asked.
"Of course not" said, and we went
down the long street, past the theater,
the trading post and the saloons, till
we came to the hill where her little
nest was perched. Every ono spoke
and smiled to her, and she answered
, In the same way, although knew she
was on parade and holding herself
with firm hands. As we came near to
the end her pace quickened, however,
and I guessed the panic that was on
her to be alone where she could drop
her mask and become . woman-a
poor, weak, grief stricken woman. But
when we were inside at last her man
ner astounded me. She didn't throw
herself on her couch nor 60 to pieces,
as I had dreaded, but turned ON me
with burning eyes and her hands tight
clinched, while her voice was throaty
and hoarse. The words came tumbling
out in confusion.
give let him CO." she said. ''Yes.
and you helped me. Only for you I'd
have broken down, but want You to
know I've done one good thing at last
In my miserable life. I've held in. He
~ ErA
what fools men are!
EYES," said, you did mighty well.
He's sensitive chap, and If you'd bro
ken down he'd have felt awful bad"
"Whatr' She grasped me by the coat
lapels and shook me. Yes! That weak
little woman shook me, while her face
went perfectly livid. He'd have felt
badly eh! Man.. man! Didn't you see?
Are you blind? Why. he asked me to
go with him. He asked me to marry
him Think of it-that great, wonder
full man asked me to be his wife-me-
Olive Marceau, the dancer! Oh, oh!
Isn't 1t funny? Why don't you laugh?"
: 1 didn't laugh. / stood there picking
pieces Of fur out Of my cap and Won
dering II ever / should see another
woman Hike this one. She paced about
over the skin rugs, tearing at the throat
Of her dress as II it choked her. There
were no tears in her eyes, but her whole
frame shook and shuddered as II from
great cold. deep set in her bones.
"Why didn't you go?'I asked stupid
". "You love him. don't your
You know why didn't CO." she
cried flercely. II couldn't How could
| go back and meet his mother? Some
day she'd find me out. and 1t would
spoil bis life. No. no! If only she
hadn't recovered-no. don't mean
that either. I'm not his kind. that's al.
All. God. let him go-I let him 80.
and he never knew"
She was writing now on her bed in
a perfect frenzy. calling to him broken.
". stretching out her arms while great
dry, coughing sobs wrenched her.
Little one" said unsteadily, and
my throat ached so that couldn't
trust myself You're brave-girl,
and you're his kind or anybody kind"
With that the rain came. and so left
her alone with her comforting misery.
When l told Kink he sputtered like a
pinwheel, and every evening thereafter
we two went up to her house and sat
with her. We could do, this because,
she'd quit the theater the day the boat
took Prosser away. and she wouldn't
heed Eckerts offers TO go back.
, I'm through with it for good" she
told us. though I don't know what
else I'm good for. You see. don't
fropt;pued ON Pape AZ