The Morgan County press. (Wartburg, Tenn.) 1916-1926, 1917-05-03
CHAPTER XVIII.
Tenperamental.


dawned in grateful GOODNESS: an exqui
site month Of crisp nights and enliven
ing days, of mellowing sunlight and
early gloamings tenderly colored
Country houses were closed and the
aters reopened. Then suddenly the
town blossomed overnight with huge
eight-sheet posters on every available
boarding blazoning the news:
JULES MAX
begs to announce the return Of
SARA LAW
In a new Comedy entitled. "FaIth"
by JULES MAX
Tmeater MAx-Friday October 18th
But Whitaker had the information
before he saw the broadsides in the
streets. The morning paper propped
up on his breakfast table contained
the Illuminating note under the cap
ton, "News of Plays and Players:"
Jules Max has sprung another aid per-
haps his greatest surprise on the theater-
going public of this city. The astute
manager has been out Of town for two
edy entitled Faith" of which he is the
author and in which Sara Law will re-
turn finally to the stage. Additional in
terest attaches to this announcement in
view of the fact that Miss Law has au-
thortzed the publication of her intention
never again to retire from the stage
The Opening perforkaance of "FaithTs
win take place at the tTheater Max II
morrow Svening. Friday. October Is.
Whitaker glanced up incredulously
at the date line Of the sheet. Short
notice, indeed: the date was Thursday,
October II. Max had planned his
game and had played his cards cum
ningly, in Withholding this announce
ment until the last moment.
After pause Whitaker rose and be-
gan to walk the length Of the room,
hands In his pockets, head bowed in
thought.
Search as he would, he could dis
cover no ranking indignation, nothing
but some self-contempt, that ne had
allowed himself to be so carried away
by infatuation for an ignoble woman
and a cynic humor that made 1t pos
sible for him to derive a certain salts
faction from contemplating the CON-
pleteness Of this final revelation of |
herself. Returning to the breakfast |
table, he took up the paper, turned
to the shipping news, and ran his eye
down the list Of scheduled sailings
for Friday; his pick of half
a dozen boats listed to sail Saturday.
The telephone enabled him to make
a hasty reservation on the biggest and
fastest Of them all.
He had Just concluded that business
and was waiting with his hand on the
receiver to call up Embcr and an
nounce his departure, when the door
oell interrupted. Expecting the waiter
10 remove the breakfast things, he
vent to the door, threw 1t open, and
urned back instantly to the telephone.
As his fingers closed around the re-
,eiver a second time, he looked round
Ind saw his wife.
His hand fell to his side. Otherwise
lie did not move. But his glance was
hat Of one incuriously comprehending
he existence of a stranger.
The woman met 1t fairly and fear
essly, with her head high and her lips
ouched with a trace of her shadowy,
legible smile. She was dressed for
talking, very prettily and perfectly.
After a moment she inclined her
cad slightly. "The hallboys said you
ere busy on the telephone. l insist i
! on coming directly up. wish very
UGH to see you for a few moments. l
o you mind?"
'By no means" he said, a little
iffly but quite calmly. eff you will I
good enough to come in" c
He stood against the wall to let her s
SIS.
II had to come this morning." she u
planned, turning. This afternoon
have a rehearsal.
lie bowed an acknowledgment. u
ron't you sit DOWN."
Thank you" Seated, she subjected So
q to a quick, open appraisal, dis WI
ming in its naive honesty. ini
Hugh aren't you q bit thin ha
r. en-