The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1919-04-04

| Oh AiibSSAS~ III liz 6OOo- tbdS . oAAs
Those big hands were at her shout
ders again. That soothing voice wal
ministering courage and praise:
"You are not no good. You shall
succeed! I'll make Reben take yor
back. I've helped Reben out when hi
was in trouble. I've lent him money
and I'll make him give you your
chance. promise that, on my word 7
| She stared at him through her tears
They blurred him In dancing flashes
of light as if he were a sun god. She
caught his hands from her shoulders
but she had to hold them in hers. She
was drowning, and she must cling to
whatever arms stretched down to her.
She must not question whose they
were till she was safe again on the
solid earth.
| Duane was laughing now and pat
| ting her on the back as if 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 a COM
rade, sustaining another in a battle.
4 liC was titG WHY OuC III "Oh'N
who offered her courage and praise
and help in her need.
| Duane said with a matter-of-far ct
briskness: 'Ill call Reben up at on:e.
No, I'll go see him."
"But you put me under such obliga-
tons. I'm afraid"
"Never be afraid of an obligation"
sT'pa afraiI I oau pavar ranau
"Then you're one ahead. But you
can repay me and you will"
"How?"
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 Bayards 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-
fee. 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 fred"
To her comfort her mother caught |
her to her ample bosom and said: 'Tm |
glad of 1t. I'm much obliged to who
ever is to blame. Not but what you |
could have succeeded if you had kept |
at it. But you're too good for such
a wicked life. A person couldn't be an |
actor without being insincere 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 a vigorous assault when the tele-
phone rang and the maid brought word
hat gent'man wished to speak with
Miss Daphne.
1t was Duane, and she braced her
self for another blow. But his voice
vas clarion with success.
'T've seen Reben. It's all right. He's
promised to keep you on and give you
oh t. f&- 30. zrv-f
It the theater at seven-thirty tonight"
And now again Daphne was more
Lfraid of her success, such as 1t was,
han of her failure. But it was pleas
mt to carry the news to her mother
nd Leila.
1t disguised them both. They were
till trying to dissuade her from con-
inuing on the downward path when
telegram from her father came for
Ter mother:
'Taking beaver arrive Grand Cen
raj tomorrow don't meet me love.
YVES"
Bayard was late, as usual, and
elias temper had just begun to sim
ler when the door was opened stealth .
" and a hand was thrust in. 1t prof
cred small box Of jewelers. size and
yaved it like flag Of truce.
Leila rushed forward with a cry of ,
eight, 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.
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-
e them. The little square parcel
revoked her curiosity. She opened
80 excitedly that the contents fell
, the floor. She swooped for them I
nd brought mp platinum chain with
delicate plaque Of tiny diamonds and
earis on ! device Of platinum.
Leila ran to Mrs. Kip and Daphne.
*Aren't they beautifulf t
rent they wonderful Aren't they }
oTiousf
Mrs. Kip and Daphne tried to keep q
,c pace, but once more they could not .
Irget who Il Was that was raining
u -