Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1917-12-14


ing and expressing of opinions the
reading was finished, and all agreed
that there was no reason In the world
why this should not be the greatest
success of anything they had under
taken. All this, however, was as
NORWOOD and gall to Diana Wales
Aida really did put a good deal of
expression into the part of Juliet, and
Earl-well, of course he was always
good. Though it seemed to Diana that
he put rather needless emphasis into
his words of admiration for Juliet,
still 1t was to be expected.
"You make a fine Lady Capulet."
Aida cOmplimented as the two girls
CHANGED to be standing together.
Really I'm quite proud Of my man.
ma"
And for the remainder of the day
to Diana's intense disgust Aida per-
sisted in calling her mamma"
Matters were not improved for
deed even less than before, was she
inclined to feel reconciled to the as
signment of parts. She felt nervous
and ready to cry, and then pride came
to the rescue. She was acting like a
child, she told herself severely, and
giving them all good reason to COM
ment on her unusual quietness. She
would go out for walk even If it
was foggy, with the aid of outdoor
air she felt she could surely get her.
self in hand, and be able to appear
like herself. Accordingly little later
she donned her hat and raincoat and
stepped out into the growing darkness
Of the afternoon unobserved, as she
believed, even by the chaperon.
What dismal day this wasl Diana
believed she didn't like house parties
anyway. She quite wished she had
not come. There had not been a ray
Of sunshine for the last two days.
What did the others all find so funny
to laugh about, she wondered. They
seemed to do nothing but laugh. Had
she ever been like that? 1t was hard
to believe it from her present point of
view. How she wished that something
anything short of broken bones
would happen to prevent her from
having to take part in this proposed
play, the play that was, no doubt, to
heap laurels as never before on the
heads of the Club of Young Amateur
Players.
She had gone but little way when
she became aware of some one behind
her, walking faster than she. 1t
sounded like-only of course it
couldn't be-Earl Raymond, who a
moment later called boyishly:
Hold on, Diana. 1 want to talk
with you"
The girl turned, waiting gravely till
the young man reached her side, and
then they went on together remark
Ing about the weather, and a few other
such subjects as people are given to
talking about when the undercurrent
of their thoughts is elsewhere.
After moments pause Earl asked
abruptly:
"Diana, why wouldn't you take the
part of Juliet?"
"Why wouldn't IT' the girl hesitated
in surprise. "Why, was never asked
to take it,"
"Not asked?-~ But Aida said"
Earl paused leaving his sentence I'M
finished. When he spoke again it was
to say, IT understood that you refused
to take the leading part, and-you see,
Di, was afraid you didn't want to
play Juliet to my Romeo"
"What nonsense!" Diana returned.
"Then you did not refuse to take the
part?"
81 surely did not, Earl. How could
I when it was not offered me? l sim
ply had no choice in the matter"
The young man turned and looked
searchingly into the girls flushed face.
"Had I known that I would not have
agreed to be Romeo" he said slowly.
'What difference would that make?
OF course you would have taken it."
"No, DIANA" he denied quickly. SIT
would have made no end of difference
to me. It's all right now that know
how 1t was, but did feel rather cut
up to think you would go back on me
that way"
"How could you think It'll" the girl
responded, then-"It'sr all right now
as you say, but I was afraid you were
tired of playing leading man with me
as leading lady, and that did hurt a
little. We are such old friends, you
know"
The young man paused again looking
earnestly into her face. "Diana," he
began gravely, don't you know that
you are, and always will be, the only
leading lady In the world-for me-?
Then suddenly the day grew bright
for Diana despite the fog, She was
feeling unusually well and as for the
doleful dumps-they were altogether q
thing of the past.
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