Crossville chronicle. [volume] (Crossville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1917-03-14
CHAPTER XVIII -Continued.


will. But | had to tell you the truth.
II seems that the only thing my career
had left Uncalloused was my funda-
mental sense of honesty. So | had
20 come and tell you"
And still he held silence, attentive.
but with a set face that betrayed moth
Ing of the tenor of his thoughts.
Almost timidly, with nervously fum-
bling fingers, she extracted from her
pocketbook a small ticket envelope.
Max was afraid you might upset
the performance again, as you did on
my last appearance Hugh" she said;
"hut | assured him it was just the
shock of recognizing you that bOwled
me over. SO I've brought you a box
for tomorrow night. | want you to
use it-yOu and Mr.. Ember."
He broke in with a curt monOSyl-
liable: "Why?"
"Why-why because-bccause | want
you-l 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 great actress, that
l give you up for something bigger
than just love"
what rOt!" he said with an odd
short laugh. Besides. | harbor no
resentment"
She stared, losing little color, eyes
darkcning with apprehension.
Il did hope you'd come" she MUIR
INJURED.
"Oh, III come" he said with spirit.
wild horses, couldn't keep me away"
Really, Hugh? And you don't
mind? Oh, I.m so glad!"
Il really don't mind" he assured her
with a strange smile. "But ). i
would you mhd excusing me one mo-
ment? I've forgotten something very
important" >.
why certainly
He was already at the telephone in
the hallway, just beyond the living
room door. IT was impossible to escape
"verhearing his words The woman
listened perforce with, in the begin
ming. q little visible wonder, then with |
astonishment; ultimately with a con-
stcrnaton that shook her with violent |
trcmblngs.
Hello" said Whitaker; get me
Rector twO-twO-hundred.
Hello? Rector hundred?
North German Lloyd? This is
Mr. II. NJ. Whitaker. telephoned !
you fifteen. minutes ago about reser-
walton on the George Washington,
sailing Saturday Yes. i
Yes. Yes, promised to call
for the ticker before noon, but l now
find I sha'n't be able to so. 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
quiet and collected woman.
Why did you do that?" she asked
evenly.
"Beca use" said Whitaker, "I've 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
but her Interpretation didn't ring true.
Mary, l admit, at first you got me: |
believed you meant what you said.
But only my mind believed it: nv
heart knew better, just as it has al
ways known better, all through this
Nretched time of doubt and misery I
md separation you've subjected us
10Th to. And that was why couldn't |
rust myself to answer you; for if S
lad, | should have laughed for 10y. S
} Mary Mary he cried, his voice
my dear, dear woman. you I
ant lie to love You betray yourself j
n every dear word that would he
leartless, in every adorable gesture t
hat would seem final! And love @
noWs better always. OF course G
shall be in that box tomorrow night
f course | shall be there to witness .
our triumph! And after you've won \
!, dear, | shall carry you off with h
lie :. >,
He opened his arms wide, but with h
smothered cry she backed away, n
Iacng the table between them. Fl
NO" she protested; and the words D
ere almost sObs-"Now h
YES" he exclaimed exultantly. il
Yes. A thousand times yes 1t t,
ust be So"
With swift movement she seized b.
er mutf and scarf from the chair and OF
I'd to the door. There, pausing, she |
rned, her face white and blazing. 10
1T is not true" she cried. "YOu W
e mistaken. Do you hear me? You In
e utterly mistaken. I do not love yC
III. Iou are mad to think it. | have n
st told you l don't love you. am liz
raid of you; darcn't stay with YOU
r fear of you. II despise you" IN
i don't believe it" he cried, advanc- III
s II