The Fayette falcon. (Somerville, Tenn.) 190?-current, 1919-04-25

whatever arms stretched down 70 her.
She must not question whose they
were till she Was safe again on the
solid earth.
Duane was laughing now and pat.
1ng her on the back as IL she were a
frightened child. She felt no right
to rebuke his caresses. They were
such as brother might give sister.
His arm about her was that Of COM
rade, sustaining another In a battle.
He was the only one in the world
who offered her courage and praise
and help in her need.
Duane said, with a matter-of-fac
briskness: I'm call Reben up at once
No, I'll go see him."
"But you put me under such obliga-
items. I'm afraid"
"Never be afraid of an obligation"
"Pm afraid can never repay it."
"Then you're one ahead. But you
can repay me and you will"
allow"
Lets wait and see. Goodby. Don't
worry"
He gave her hand-grip of perfect
good fellowship and went into the hall.
She followed him to tell him again
how kind he was. As she was clasp
ing his hand again Leila opened the
door with her latchkey.
Now there was triple embarrass.
ment. Tom Duane had paid ardent
court to Leila before she married Bay
ard. Here he was In Bayard's wife's
home, apparently flirting with Bay
ards young sister.
Leila felt all the outraged senti-
ments of jealousy and all the indig-
nation of chaperon who has been cir
cumvented. Duane retreated IN poor
order. Daphne stammered an expla-
nation too brief and muddled to suf-
flee. Then she went to her room.
There her mother found her when
she came in later. Daphne had only
faint hope that Duane could work his
miracle twice, so she told her mother
that she had failed as an actress. She
told her bluntly:
Mamma I've been fired"
To her comfort her mother caught
her to her ample bosom and said: "Pm
glad of it. I'm much obliged to who
ever is TO blame. Not but what you
could have succeeded If you had kept
at 1t. But you're too good for such
a wicked life. A person couldn't be an
actor without being inslncere and
pretender, and my little girl is too hon.
est. So now you come along home
with me-"
mo, thank you, mamma"
Mrs. Kip gathered herself together
for vigorous assault when the tele-
phone rang and the maid brought word
that gent'man wished to speak with
Miss Daphne.
It was Duane, and she braced her
self for another blow. But his voice |
was clarion with success.
I've seen Reben. It's all right. He's !
promised to keep you on and give you |
A chance. He says for you to report |
1t the theater at seven-thirty tonight"
And now again Daphne was more
afraid Of her success, such as It was,
han Of her failure. But II was pleas
INT to carry the news to her mother
Ind Leila.
1t disguised them both. They were
IT'LL trying to dissuade her from con-
inuing on the downward path when
telegram from her father came for
Ter mother:
Taking beaver arrive Grand Gen.
raj tomorrow don't meet me love.
IVES"
Bayard was late, as usual, and
elias temper had Just begun to sim
ner when the door was opened stealth
" and hand was thrust in. II prof
cred small box of jewelers. size and
waved II like flag of truce.
Leila rushed forward with a cry of
elight, seized the packet and then
he hand. and drew Bayard into the
Dom and into her arms.
This Is your apology. I suppose"
he said. Il
Yes. the apology for being late. and
hats what made me late"
Leila was enraptured. She adored
fits and she had the knack Of inspir-
lg them The little square parcel
revoked her curiosity. She opened
so excitedly that the contents fen
, the floor. She swooped for them
nd brought up platinum chain with
delicate plague Of tiny diamonds and 1
earls On device OF platinum. II
Leila ran to Mrs. Kip and Daphne,
zciaiming: -Aren't they beautifully I
rent they wonderfully Aren't they II
IoriousT' In
hrs Kip and Daphne tried to keep ! I
le pace. but once more they could not y
'rget who II was that was raining
own gold on this greedy stranger. 9
heir slarTa was not diminished when U
=