The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-11-01

"You make fine Lady cspulet.
Aida complimented as the two
girls chanded to be standing togeth.
err Really I'm quite proud OF my
mamma.
And for the remainder OF the day,
to Diana's intense disgust Aida per.
sisted in calling her Mamma"
Matters were not improved for Di.
ana by the reading Of the play, in.
deed even less than before. was she
inclined to feel reconciled to the as.
sisnment 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 severly, and
giving them all good reason to com.
ment on her unusual quietness. She
would go out for walk even IL 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 a little
later she donned her hat and raincoat,
and stepped out into the growing dark.
ness of the afternoon unobserved, as
she believed, even by the chaperon.
What a dismal day this was! Di.
ana 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 moth.
ing but laugh. Had she ever been
like that? 1t was hard to believe 1t
| 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 someone be.
hind 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. I want to tall,
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 few
other such subjects as people are Civ.
en- to talking about when the under.
current of their thoughts is else,
where
After moments pause Earl asked
abruptly:
Diana. why wouldn't you take the
part of Juliet?"
why wouldn't l?' the girl hesita
ted in surprise WHY was never
asked to take it."
Not asked, But Aida said-"Earl
paused leaving his sentence unfnish
ed. When he spoke again it was to
say, 81 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
when it was not offered me? sim
ply had no choice in the matter
1 The young man turned, and looked
searchingly into the girls flushed
y lace. t1du kuOWn Iuat WOulu hui
have agreed to be Romeo" he said
slowly.
What difference would that make:
or course you would have taken it.
mo. DIANA" he denied quickly. "It
would have made no end Of differ
ence to me. It's all right now that
l know how it was. but I did fee
rather cut up to think you would &c
back on me that way"
How could you think it! 1.-The girl
responded, then-"It's 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 look
ing 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
thing Of the past.
Il