Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1917-02-09
CHAPTER xvllI--continued.

--21--
She paused again, but still he was
mute and immoblle.
$50 now you know me-what / am.
No other man has ever known or ever
WILL But had TO tell you the truth.
II seems that the only thing my career
had left uncalloused was my funda-
mental sense of honesty. SO | had
to come and tell you"
And still he held silence, attentive,
but with set face that betrayed moth
ing of the tenor Of his thoughts.
Almost timidly, with nervously fun
bling fingers, she extracted from her
pocketbook a small ticket envelope.
MAX was afraid you might upset
the performance again, as you did on
my last appearance, Hugh" she said;
but | assured him It was just the
shock Of recognizing you that bowled
me over. SO I've brought you a box
for tomorrow night. / want you to
use it-you and Mr.. Ember."
He broke in with curt monosyl-
liable: "why3"
"Why--why becnuse--because want
you-I suppose it's simply my vanity
to see me act. Perhaps you'll feel a
little less hardly toward me if you see
that am really great actress, that
i give you up for something bigger
than Just love-"
"what rotr' he said with an odd,
short laugh. Besides, / harbor no
resentment"
She stared, losing little color, eyes
darkening with apprehension.
II did hope you'd come" she muir
INJURED.
eOh, IN come" he said with spirit.
wild horses couldn't keep me away"
Really, Hugh7 And you don't
mlnd2 Oh, I'm so gladw
Il Ireally don't mind" he assured her
with strange smile. But 4.
would you mind excusing me one mo-
ment? I've forgotten something very
important"
why, certainly >. :"
He wns already at the telephone IN
the hallway. just beyond the living
room door. It was impossible to escape
overhearing his words. The woman
listened perforce with. in the begin
ming, a little visible wonder, then with
astonishment, ultimately with a con-
sternation that shook her with violent
trembllngs.
Hello" said whitaker; get me
Rector two-two-hundred.
"Hello7 Rector two-two-hundred? :?
North German Lloyd2 -. This is
Mr.. II. NJ Whitaker. telephoned
you fifteen minutes ago about reser-
wilton on the George Washington,
sailing Saturday 90. Yes .
Yes. Yes. l promised to call
for the ticket before noon. but l now
find sha'h't be able to go. win you
be kind enough to cancel It, II you
please. Thank you. .. .
Goodbyr
But when he turned back into the
living room he found awaiting him a
quiet aud collected woman.
"why did you do that?" she asked
evenly.
Because" said whitaker, "Tve had
my eyes opened. I've been watching
the finest living actress play care
fully rehearsed role, one that she had
given long study and all her heart to-
but her Interpretation didn't ring true.
Mary, I admit. at first you got me: |
believed you meant whnt you said.
But only my mind believed 1t; my
heart knew better, just as it has al
ways known better, oil through this
wretched time of doubt and misery
and separation you've subjected us
both TO. And that was why couldn't
trust myself to answer you; for II |
had. | should have laughed for Joy.
o Mary. Maryr' he cried. his voice
softening, my dear, dear woman, you
can't lie to Lowell You betray yourself
in every dear word that would be
heartless, lnsevery adorable gesture
TINT would seem inalI And love
knows better always. OF course
shall be In that box tomorrow night
of course ! shall be there to witness
your triumph And after you've won
II. dear, shall carry you off with
tne
AAS oRGhCd Wlut, DuI Will
smOthered cry she backed away
placing the table between them.
"No" she protested; and the words
were almost sobs-"Now
"Yes" he exclaimed exultantly
Yes thousand times yesl Il
must be soi'
With a swift movement she seized
her mufr and scarf from the chair aDt
fed to the door. There, pausing, sh,
turned. her face white and blazing.
ut is not true I" she cried. "Yot
nre mistaken. DO you hear me? Yol
are utterly mistaken. l do not Low,
you. You are mad to think 1t. I hav,
just told you don't love you. 1 an
ufrnid Of you; daren't stay with yol
for fear Of you. IL despise your
II don't believe ltw he cried, advanc
Ing.
But she was gone. The hall doc
slammed before he could reach Il.