The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1917-03-01

81 have been"
81 hope that doesn't mean I'm in
the way"
10 the contrary; but I sail day
after tomorrow for Australia"
"Oh? That's very sudden, isn't it2
You don't seem to have done any pack
ing. Or perhaps you mean to come
back before a great while?"
II shan't come back, ever"
Must 1 believe you made up your
mind this morning?"
Il have only just read the announce
ment of your opening tomorrow night"
Then 1 am driving you out
of the country?"
Her look was impersonal and curl
Gus.
His shoulders moved negligently.
Not to rant about it," he replied: 81
find I am not needed here"
"Oh, dearp Her lips formed a fu-
gitive. petulant moue: "And it's my
fault?"
There's no use mincing matters. is
there? 1 am not heartbroken, and If
am bitterly disappointed 1 don't care
to-in fact, 1 lack the ability to drama
tie it,"
''You are taking it well, Hugh?" said
she, critical.
Expressionless, he waited an instant
before inquiring pointedly: "Wen?"
Deliberately laying aside her light
muff, 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.
cerity, I'm awfully sorry-truly
u"
He made no reply; waited.
Perhaps I'M wrong" she went on,
'but 1 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. 1 had to explain myself. ]
wanted you to understand. Hugh, L"
She was twisting her hands together
with a manner denoting great mental
strain. OF n sudden she checked and
dropped them, limp and open by her
sides. you see," she said with the
apologetic smile, "Fm trying not to
act"
"Oh," he said in tone of dawnine
comprehension-"so that's itp
I'm afraid so, Hugh. I'm
dreadfully sorry for you-poor boy =
but I'm afraid that's the trouble with
me, and it can never be helped. 1 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.
ine."
He nodded interestedly.
I'm just an actress, an instrument
for the music of emotions. I've been
trained to respond, until now 1 re-
spond without knowing it, when there's
no true response here" She touched
the bosom of her frock.
He said nothing.
With a half sigh she moved away
to the window.
"Of course you despise me. I de.
spise myself mean, the self that
was me before 1 turned from a woman
into an actress. But it's the truth: ]
have no longer any real capacity for
| GuDuElLy
for appreciation of the artistic delinea.
ton Of emotion, true or feigned. That
that is why, when you showed
me you had grown to love me so,
responded so quickly. You were in
love-more honestly than / had ever
seen love revealed. 1t touched me.
was proud TO have inspired such a
love. / wanted, for the time being. to
have you with me always, that I might
always study the wonderful, the
beautiful manifestations of your love.
Why. Hugh, you even managed to
make me believe I was worth it-that
my response was sufficient repayment
for your alteration. ."
He said nothing. She glanced fur.
lively at him and continued:
81 meant to be sweet and faithful
| when / left that note for you on the
/ yacht, Hugh; / was grateful, and I
meant to be generous. But
when / went to the Waldorf. the first
| person / met was Max. OF course
| had TO tell him what had happened.
And then he threw himself upon my
/ compassion, 1t seems that losing me
/ had put him In the most terrible
trouble about money. He was short.
and he couldn't get the backing he
needed without me. his call upon my
services by way Of assurance 10 his
hackers. And 1 began to think. I
/ knew I didn't love you honestly. Hugh,
and that life with you would be live
Ing he. What right had J 60 deceive
you that way, just 10 crafty my love
of being loved? And especially if by
doing that / ruined Max. the man TO
whom next 60 yOu owed every
thing7 7 couldn't do &C. But + took
time 70 think It over-truly I did I
really did go to q sanatorium. and
rested there while I turned the whole
matter over carefully iR my mind, and
at length reached my decision To- stick
by Max and lct you go. free to win the
heart Of woman worthy of you"
(rO Bic CONTrNUEDJ
NHa-tra -