South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-01-22

that you are as good and as noble as any woman
who ever lived. Don't smoke. don't touch
wine; show him you have a soul; create an I'm
preston that Will never leave his mind For.
get Mabel"
She felt like a drifter az the meeting OF to
roads. If she took the one to the right she
would meet UP with happiness: II she took the
other she would come face TO face with life
long sorrow AS she wrestled with her proc
lem. Peeplow blew a cloud OF thick smoke IN
her direction Mary looked into it. and saw IN
the dead centre OF It the fearful face OK her
friend
You'll be making my happiness complete
she heard Mabel say.
She could have screamed at that moment,
but as the sudden terror passed something like
fresh strength took possession Of her.
Pass the wine" she called She noticed
Cameron jump
Now a cigarette"
Two minutes later she was on the table
performing dance that made ClaEissa gs
green with envy. She shouted. she sang she
threw things at those nearest to her; and all
the time her heart was breaking
How she lived through tie hour that followed
she never knew. Scarcely ever did she look at
Cameron. He hunched up, his chair pushed
away from the table. his face as hard a slab
Of marble, watched her in silence Sometimes
when she flew about the room like a thing
possessed he shivered miserably; at other
times. when she sang silly songs or balanced
herself on Peeplow's knees, the nails OF his
hands bit deeply into the flesh of his palms.
Mary was near to actual hysteria when the
end came. She had known from the start that
she had succeeded; the look of tremendous dis
gust on Cameron's face was clear evidence
that whatever tender thoughts he had ever
entertained had been smashed for all time.
lie had placed her on a level with her guests.
he looked upon her girl not worthy OF
single thought He was Quivering with anger
and contempt when at ;ast he left his seat
Without a word he marched to the door
As his footsteps echoed in the corridor
Mary slipped from Peeplows knee and crashed
to the floor.
There was a letter from Thompson next
morning. Il said, in part:
Il have decided not to develop the play on
the lines you suggested. Although you told
me that a woman would willingly and de-
Iiberately break the heart OF friend, I can
not believe It. Ny own opinion is that a good
woman would sacrifice herself I had intended,
of course TO offer you the big part in the play.
but as your notions are so peculiar-as you i'm
agine that woman has no code shall be
forced to take the play elsewhere
Mary waz reading the letter for the second
time when Mabel, radiant and happy arrived.
oh how can ] thank yOu? she exclaimed
breathlessly. "Your little scheme succeeded
beautifully. Bobbie and are 10 be married
in six weeks time"
Mary did her best TO work up a smile
Tell me what happened" she asked
Mabels joy had made her almost garrulOus
u was very miserable last night" she re-
marked u hadn't seen Bobbie for days and
Of course, knew he was dining with YOU Al
nine O'Clock he called He looked terribly
serious, and I could see that he had been
shocked. Five minutes after he entered the
house he asked me 70 ny the day. He said be
wanted 10 get married at once
Did he refer to me2' Mary's voice was very
husky"
No Boobies not the kind to talk about
other people. But ! asked him 10 show ne
something that ] knew he kept in his wallet
watched carefully-and your photograph
wasn't there. Mary"
on II was nearly a sob
Don't you think he's DEAR"
yes"
and you'll never tell him that you we're
only acting?'
81 shall never see him again
Mabel leslfated for a moment Then she
arranged her furs and moved to the door.
u only called 20 tell you the good news" she
said. DO you know I'm beginning 10 wonder
whether the dinnerpsrty and your acting were
necessary. after all But thanks all the same
Goodbye"
The smile remained on Mary's face until he
door was closed Then she dropped like A
flower. staggered 20 the wall and laid her
throbbing head on her arms. From her broken
heart came one sad cry
oh. Nish could die. said Mary Hanson