The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1917-01-24
CHAPTER xVIlI--Continued.
21


mute and immobile.
$50 now you know me-what l am
No other man has ever known or ever
will. But l had to tell you the truth
1t seems that the only thing my career
had left uncalloused was my funda.
mental sense of honesty. So l had
TO come and tell you"
And still he held silence, attentive
hut with q set face that betrayed moth
iag Of the tenor of his thoughts.
Almost timidly, with nervously fun
bling fingers, she extracted from her
pocketbook small ticket envelope
Max was afraid you might upset
the performance again. as you die 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. | want you to
use it-you and Mr.. Ember."
He broke in with curt mOnosyl.
liable: "WhyY
'Why-why because-because want
you-I suppose it's simply my vanity
10 see me act Perhaps you'll feel a
little less hardly toward me If you see
that l am really 4 great actress, that
] give you up for something bigger
than just love-
what rot - ne said with an odd
short laugh Besides, | harbOr no
resentment"
She stared, losing n little color, eyes
darkening with apprehension.
81 did hope you'd come" she muir
INJURED.
"Oh, I'll come" he said with spirit.
wild horses couldn't keep me away. y
Really, Hugh? And you don't
mind? Oh, I'm so glad -
II really don't mind" he assured her
with a strange smile. "But
would you mind eXcusing me one mo-
ment? I've forgotten something very
important
"Why, certainly 49,.
He was already at the telephone IN
the hallway. just beyond the living
room door. 1t was impossible to escape
overhearing his words. The woman
listened perforce with, in the b,gin-
ming, little visible wonder then with
establishment, ultimately with a con-
sternation that shook her with violent
tremblings.
Hello" said Whitaker; get me
Rector two-two-hundred.
Hello? Rector two-two-hundred ?
North German Lloyd? This is
Rr. II. M. Whitaker. l teIephoned
you fifteen minutes ago about reser-
walton on the George Washington,
sailing Saturday Yes.
Yes Yes, / promised to call
for the ticket before noon. but l now
find sha'n't be able to go. Will you
be kind enough TO cancel it. If you
please. Thank you.
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.
Because" said Whitaker, I've 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-
hut her Interpretation didn't ring true
Mary, ! admit, at first you got me:
believed you meant what you said
But only my mind believed it: my
heart knew better, just as it has al.
ways known better, all 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 if
had, | should have laughed for joy
o Mary, Nary" he cried, his voice
softening, my dear, dear woman, you
can't lie to love. You betray yourself
in every dear word that would be
heartless, in every adorable gesture
that would seem finall And love
knows better always. Of course
/ stall be in that box tomorrow night
of course | shall be there to witness
your triumph! And after you've won
1t, dear, l shall carry you Off with
me :"
He opened his arms wide, but with
a smothered cry she backed away,
placing the table between them.
no." she protested; and the words
were almost sobs-"No!"
"YeSm he exclaimed exultantIy.
Eyes! A thousand times yes! 1t
must be soI''
With a swift movement she seized
her muff and scarf from the chair and
fed TO the door. There, pausing, she
turned, her face white and blazing.
1T is not true." she cried. You
are mistaken. Do YOU hear me? You
are utterly mistaken. l do not love
you. You are mad to think it. | have
just told you | don't love you. i am
afraid of you; | daren't stay with you
for fear of you. IL despise you"
81 don't believe it" he cried, advanc.
Ing.
But she was gone. The hall door
slammed before he could reach it.