Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1917-03-16
CHAPTER xvIII-consinued.

mute and immObile.
$50 now you know me-what am.
No other man has ever known or ever
will. But had TO tell you the truth.
1t seems that the only thing my career
had left uncaIloused was my funda-
mental sense of honesty. So | had
to corne and tell you"
And still he held silence, attentive,
but with set face that betrayed moth
ing OF the tenor of his thoughts.
Almost timidly, with nervously fum>
bling fingers. she extracted from her
p0cketbook a small ticket envelope.
Max was afraid you might upset
the performance again, as you did on
my last appearance, Hugh" she said;
''but I assured him it was just the
SHOCK of recognizing you that bowled
ISe ever. 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: "Why2"
"Why--why because--because want
you'll suppose it's simply my vanity
TO see me act. Perhaps you'll feel a
little less hardly toward me if you see
that I am really great actress, that
/ 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
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"
Really. Hugh? And you don't
mind? Oh, Tn so glad"
81 really don't mind" he assured her
with a strange smile. But
would you mind excusing me one mo-
ment2 I've forgotten something very
important"
'Why, certainly :"
He was already at the telephone in
TIE hallway, just beyond the living
room door. 1t was impossible to escape
overhearing his words. The woman
listened perforce with, in the begin
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.
'HeTo? Rector two-two-hundred?
North German Lloyd? This is
Mr.. H. NJ. Whitaker. l telephoned
you fifteen minutes ago about reser-
walton on tile George Washington,
sailing Saturday Yes. =.
Yes. Yes, promised to call
for the ticket before noon, but now
find l sha'n't be able to go. win you
be kind enough to cancel it, if you
please. Thank you. I.
Goodby."
But when he turned back into the
living room he found awaiting him
quiet and collected woman.
why did you do thatT' she asked
evenly.
Because" said Whitaker, ''rve 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, / admit, at first you got me ::
believed you meant what you said.
But only my mind believed it; nay
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, l should have laughed for Joy.
o Mary. Nary he cried, his voice
softening. my dear, dear woman, you
can't lie to Lowell 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
shall be in that box tomorrow night;
of course / shall be there to witness
your triumph And after you've won
1t, dear, shall carry you of with
Ine :"
He opened his arms wide, but with
a smothered cry she backed away,
placing the table between them.
mol" she protested; and the words
were almost sobs-"Now
'Yesl" he exclaimed exultantly.
YES! A thousand times yes It
must be sol
With a swift movement she seized
her muff and scarf from the chair and
tied to the door. There, pausing, she
tnrned, her face white and blazing.
at is not truew she cried. You
are mistaken. Do you hear me? You
are utterly mistaken. l do not love
you. You are mad to think 1t. / have
Just told you don't love you. am
afraid of you; daren't stay With you
for fear of you. II despise yop
Il don't believe It he cried, adv4-c.
eng.
But she was gone. The hall door
damned before he could reach it.