The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1917-03-03
hands in nervous anxiety upon her re.

hands in nervous anxiety upon her re.
turn.
"Did-did you see him." questioned
Greta breathlessly.
mo, Greta, for he had left the
house l learned that"
perhaps to leave for some far soil
tude, where he can forget all my cruel
| treatment" walled Greta.
Scarcely" replied Miss Boyce.
From what l could gather he has
gone to a theatrical entertainment at
the next town."
Greta looked blank. 1t could not be
possible! A man in his despairing con-
dition thinking Of pleasure! Oh!
Madge must be mistaken, but Madge
was positive and finally persuaded
Greta to think that matters were not
as desperate as she fancied. At all
events she succeeded in quieting down
her hysterical companion.
Greta slept but little that night. She
| was wretched all of the next morning.
In the afternoon she went down the
l.
face to face with Wade. She stood
rooted, her face one void of indescrib-
able amaZement.
Wade was with friend. He was
all smiles, almost jovial, conversing
with his companion. He lifted his hat
and came straight up to Greta. Never
had he looked so brisk. so handsome.
The sunken eyes, the hollow cheeks,
the dying invalid conditions were
gone. What the mystery?
"Did you wish to see me, Miss Will
der?" questioned Wade pleasantly.
you stopped, and 1 am delighted to
think it was to speak to me-"
Greta stammered, flushed, paled, be-
came dreadfully embarrassed.
"Was-that isl presume you en-
joyed the theatrical entertainment at
Woodville last evening"" she finally
managed to articulate coherently.
ooh, you know that2" he spoke, and
laughed cheerily. eyes, indeed! They
gave me quite an ovation. / doubt If
1 deserved it,"
can oyation?" repeated Greta
vaguely.
at was that. You know, it was an
amateur function. I played the old
man. Made up at home, and quite
startled my usual friends with my hag-
gard appearance. Why, Miss Wilder!
are you ill?"
Greta had moved quite unsteadi1y.
In a shock she comprehended. The
transition Of old age was explained.
Rouge and dyes were accountable for
it. Oh, never should he know that she
had witnessed the transformation, nor
her sufferings!
IL felt slightly dizzy" stammered
Greta and then she thrilled, for he
had stepped nearer to her and his eyes
were earnest and longing.
Miss Wilder" he said, 81 have a
confession to make. When you re-
fused me yesterday we were interrupt
ed before could explain my manifes-
tation Of glee."
"Glee!" murmured Greta family.
"Just that, for 1t was just so much
nearer to my second proposal, which ]
wish to make now. You see, picked
up letter on the street which you
must have lost. 1t was from Miss
Earle. read it's substance before I
guessed what it was"
"Oh! how could you-I mean, how
could be so careless as to lose it."
tBut think of the hope, the joy, the
delirious happiness with which it in
spired me-" dilated Wade extrava-
gantly.
Greta was trembling all over. She
fiuttered closer to him unconsciously.
$50 what did I find going through
the program Of your lady friend when
I knew that perseverance would bring
its own reward"
"You are very hopeful, aren't you?"
challenged Greta rallying slightly.
''Do you bid me despair then?" SUBJ
mitted Wade.
She bowed her head to hide them
from the glad eyes too full Of ardent