The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1917-03-08
CHAPTER xvIII-continued.


-21-
She paused again, but still he was
mute and immobile.
$50 now you know me-what I am.
No other man has ever known or ever
will. But I had to tell you the truth.
1t seems that the only thing my career
had left uncalloused was my funda-
mental sense of honesty. So 1 had
to come 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 fun,
bling fingers, she extracted from her
pocketbook small ticket envelope.
MAX was afraid you might upset
the performance again, as you did on
my last appearance, Hugh" she said
%'but assured him it was just the
shock of recognizing you that bowled
me over. So I've brought you a box
for tomorrow night. i want you to
use it-you and Mr.. Ember."
He broke in with a curt monosyl-
liable: "Why?"
"Why--why becauSe-becauSe want
you--I suppose it's simply my vanity
little less hardly toward me If you see
that l am really great actress, that
i give you up for something bigger
than just love"
'sWhat rot" he said with an odd,
short laugh. Besides, harbor no
resentment"
She stared, losing a little color, eyes
tiarkening 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, I'm so gladp
'T really don't mind" he assured her
with 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
overhearing his words. The woman
listened perforce with. In the begin
ming, little visible wonder, then with
astonishment, ultimately with q con-
sternation that shook her with violent
tremblings.
Hello" said whitaker; "get me
Rector two-two-hundred.
Hello? Rector two-two-hundred2
North German Lloyd? This is
Mr.. II. M. Whitaker. / teIephoned
walton on the George Washington,
sailing Saturday Yes. .
Yes. 49,. Yes, / promised TO call
for the ticket before noon, but now
find / sha'n't be able to go. VIII 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 a
quiet and collected woman.
why did you do that?" she asked
evenly.
Because" said Whitaker, 'Tve had
my eyes opened. I've been watching
the finest living actress play 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: i
believed you meant what you said.
But only my mind believed 1t; my
heart knew better, just as it has al
ways known better, all through this
wretched time of doubt and misery
aud separation you've subjected us
both to. And that was why 1 couldn't
trust myself to- answer you; for II j
had. ! should have laughed for Joy.
O Mary, Maryp 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 final And love
knows better always. OF course
shall be in that box tomorrow night
of course I shall be there to witness
your triumph And after you've won
IT, dear, l shall carry you off with
lie opened his arms wide, but with
smOthered cry she backed away
placius the table between them.
Nor she protested; and the words
were almost sobs-'No"
"HesP he exclaimed exultantly
fesi A thousand times yesl II
must be SOP
With swift movement she seized
ner nun aud scarf from the chair and
Hcd 20 the door. There, pausing, she
turned, her face white and blazing.
IL Is not true !" she cried. you
are mistaken. DO you hear met You
are utterly mistaken. I do not love
you. You are mad to think it. / have
Just told you i don't love you. / am
AFRAID Of you; I daren't stay with you
Tor fear OF you. IL despise your
Il don't believe it j" he cried, advanc
Ing.
But she was gone. The hall dool
slammed before he could reach II.