The Morgan County press. (Wartburg, Tenn.) 1916-1926, 1917-05-10
CHAPTER XVIII Continued.

1t seems that the only thing my career
had left uncalousrd 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
pOcketb0ok 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 box
for tomorrow night I want you to
use it-you and Mr.. Ember."
He broke in with a curt monosyl-
liable: "Why?"
"Why-why Observation-Disclosures want
you-I suppose it's simply my vanity
to see me act. Perhaps you'll feel
little less hardly toward me if you see
that I am really a great actress, that
| give you up for something bigger
than just love"
" MI tbl uc Sitlu Will an cutt'
short laugh. Besides. | harbor no
resentment"
She stared losing little color, eyes
darkening with apprehension.
Il did hope you'd come" she muir
INJURED.
''Oh, ri come" he said with spirit. |
wild horses couldn't keep me away"
ViI1r}, nd don't
mind? Oh. I'm so gIad!"
- really don't mind" he assured her
with II strange smile. But :
would you mind eXcusing me one mo-
ment? I've forgotten something very
important"
"Why. certainly :"
He was already at the telephone in
the halfway. just beyond the living
room door. 1t was impossible to escape
Overhearing his words. The woman
listened perforce with, in the begin
ming. little visible wonder then with
establishment. ultimately with a con-
sternation that shook her with violent
tremblings.
"HeIlo." said Whitaker; get me
Rector two-two-hundred.
Hello? Rector twO-two-hundred?
North German Lloyd? -, This Is
Mr.. H. NJ Whitaker. telephOned
you fifteen minutes ago about reser-
vation on the George Washington,
sailing Saturday =. Yes. g.. E. I
Yes. Yes. | promised to call
for the ticket before noon, but l now
find sha'n't he able to go. VIII you ,
be kind enough 90 cancel ii. If you :
please. Thank you. o.. T.. ,
GOOdby." =
But when he turned back into the =
living room he found awaiting him a
quiet and collected woman.
"Why did you do that?" she asked
evenly.
"Beca ase." said Whitaker, 1--WE had
my eyes opened. I've been watching
the finest living actress play a care
fully rehearSed role. one that she had
given long study and all her heart to d
but her Interpretation didn't ring true.
Mary. admit at first you got me: | o
believed you meant what you said
But only my mind believed it; my q
heart knew better, Just as it has al n
ways known better, all through this
wretched time of doubt and misery fl
and separation you've subjected us h
both to, And that was why | couldn't b
trust myself to answer you; for If | 81
had, | should have laughed for JOY 81
Mary, Nary he cried his voice az
my dear, dear woman, you pr
ant lie to love! You betray yourself il
n every dear word that would be
leartlcss, tn every adorable gesture tie
hat would seem final! And love OIL
,nOws better always. OF course ed
shall be in that box tomorrow night;
f course | shall be there to witness co
our triumph And after you've won M
t. dear, / shall carry you off with ha
ne Da
He opened his arms wide, but with he
SmOthered cry she backed away, of,
lacing the table between them. fin
"NO! 20 she protested; and the words pa
ere almost SOhs-"NO!" be-
"YesI" he exclaimed exultantly. Ing
Yes! A thousand times yes! 1t to
ust be sou
With a swift movement she seized oy
n muff and scarf from the chair and on
ID to the door. There, pausing. she l c
rned, her face white and blazing. low
at is not truei" she cried. You WEI
e mistaken. DO you hear met You ing
g utterly mistaken. ] do not love you
u. You are mad to think il. I have my
ST told you l don't love you. am tior
raid Of you; | daren't stay with YOU q"