The Green Forest tribune., 1917-12-07


 "You make fine Lady Capulet," Aida complimented as the two girls chanced to be standing together. Really I'm quite proud of my man. ma."
 And for the remainder of the day to Diana's intense disgust Aida per sisted in calling her mamma"
 Matters were not improved for Diana by the reading of the play, in- deed even less than before, was she inclined to feel reconciled to the as- signment of parts. She felt nervous and ready to cry, and then pride came to the rescue. She was acting like child, she told herself severely, and giving them all good reason to con- ment on her unusual quietness. She would go out for a walk even if 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 darkness of the afternoon unobserved, as she believed, even by the chaperon.
 What dismal day this was! Diana believed she didn't like house parties anyway. She quite wished she had not come. There had not been 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 nothing but laugh. Had she ever been like that? It was hard to believe it 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 a little way when she became aware of some one behind her, walking faster than she. It sounded like-only of course 1t couldn't be-Earl Raymond, who moment later called boyishly:
 "l1old on, Diana. I want to talk 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 given to talking about when the undercurrent of their thoughts is elsewhere.
 After moments pause Earl asked abruptly:
 Diana, why wouldn't you take the part of Juliet?"
 "Why wouldn't I?'' the girl hesitated in surprise. 'Why, I was never asked to take it.''
 ''Not asked? But Aida said" Earl paused leaving his sentence un- finished. When he spoke again 1t was say, q understood that you refused take the leading part. and-you see, Df, was afraid you didn't want to play Juliet to my Romeo"
 ''What nonsensep p Diana returned.
 "Then you did not refuse to take the part?"
 ''I surely did not, Earl. How could 1 when It was not offered me? l sim ply had no choice in the matter"
 The young man turned and looked searchingly into the girls flushed face. Had I k}own that I would not have agreed to be Romeo" he said slowly.
 "What fla florence would that make? Of course lou would have taken it."
 ''No, Dfaha," he denied quickly. Ut would have made no end of difference to me. It's all right now that I know how it was, but I did feel rather cut up to think you would go back on me that way"
 'How could you think it p 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 looking 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 a thing of the past.
 d.