Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1917-04-07
CHAPTER xVIIi-continued.

so now you know me-what | am.
4,o other man has ever known or ever
will. But / had to tell you the truth.
r. seems that the only thing my career
bod left uncalloused was my funda
mental sense Of honesty. So | had
10 come and tell you"
And still he held silence, attentive.
hrt with q set face that betrayed Moth
ing Of the tenor of his thoughts.
Almost timidly, with nervously fun
Hing fingers, she extracted from her
notebook a small ticket envelope.
Max was afraid you might upset
fine performance again, as you did on
nv last appearance. Hugh" she said;
..hut l 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 tc
use it-you and Mr.. Ember."
He broke in with IA curt monosyl-
liable: "WhyT
"Why-why because-because I want
you'll 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 a great actress, that
I give you up for something bigger
than just love"
.What rot I" he said with an odd.
short laugh. Besides, l harbor no
resentment"
She stared. losing a little color. eyes
dsrkening with apprehension.
81 did hope you'd come" she muir
INJURED.
ION, I'll come" he said with spirit.
wild horses couldn't keep me away"
Really, Hugh? And you don't
mind? Oh, I'm so gladl"
Il 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 :"
He was already at the telephone In
the hallway, just beyond the living
room door. 1t was impossible TO escape
oyerhearing his words. The woman
listened perforce with, In the begin
ming, a 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.
"HelIo7 Rector two-two-hundred?
North German Lloyd? This Is
AIr. Fl. NJ. Whitaker. / telephoned
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 1 now
ind sha'n't be able to 90. viii you
be kind enough to cancel it. If you
please. Thank you. :.
Goodby."
But whea he turned back into the
living room he found awaiting him
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 a care
fully rehearsed role, one that she had
given long study and all her heart to-
@-tt AtTA ILAtt IAGkdltOl1 hIuu IlLE true.
Mary, l admit, at first you got me:
believed you meant what you said
But only my mind believed IL: my
heart knew better. just as it has al
ways known better, all through this
"retched 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 l
had. l should have laughed for Joy.
o Mary, Maryi" 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 f1nall And love
Knows better always. OF course
i Shall be ia that box tomorrow night
~ course shall be there to witness
your triumph And after you've won
IL dear, l shall carry you off with
I0e :"
lie opened his arms wide, but with
Smothered cry, she backed away,
pacing the table between them.
no.! she protested: and the words
we're almost sobs-"Nol"
Yes" he exclaimed exultantly.
Yes A thousand times yesI Ii
must be sol"
with a swift movement she seized
ler muff and scarf from the chair and
"el to the door. There, pausing. she
'7fned, her face white and blazing.
1t is not truel" she cried. "You
ne mistaken. Do you hear me2 You
are utterly mistaken. l do not love
I'D. You are mad to think it. / have
Just told you l don't love you. am
I.'Ald of you; darent stay with you
'l lear Of you. IL despise You !"
4 don't believe 1t r he cried. advanc-
Ing.
out she was gone. The hall door
a'11ned before he could reach it.
CHAPTER XIX.