The Eureka sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1902-current, 1921-10-01
CUPID'S DAYDREAM
~ NARY J. HAYES.

"what right has this man to upset
my home and induce my wife into .
public life. when her duty II with her
husband and babyf" Numbered Mr..
Merrill a. he threw his paper aside
and jumped Up from the Morris chair.
"But, Alec" his wife pleaded. "rm
just tired Of this dingy little place. and
baby IL whining all the time. Mr..
Card has made arrangements for my
nrst appearance on next Tuesday eve
ming. Mother 10 coming over In the
morning to take baby. and I shall man.
age to get Into the city before dinner
and rshearss with Mr.. Card in the
afternoon"
my dear girl. you are making a
blind mistake In needing this mans
advice. You will be sor--"
at II useless" interrupted Marie.
"for you to try to alter my plans. for
when my mind 10 set ! mean to carry
Il out
Alec crossed the room and stood In
front Of the French window. The moon
lit up his face n he glanced out upon
his acres Of golden wheat and corn.
$50 Mr.. Card has succeeded at
last" be was thinking. "Yes. his "
little innocent Marie had been per-
suaded by this miserable wretch" All
his happiness was to be ruined. his
little cottage. all his newly found joys
and comforts Of farm life. and baby
what was to become Of himf He would
grow mp without Q mothers love and
are.
At length he turned toward where
his wife had been standing. but she
was not there. Shutting of the light.
he vent upstsirs. A. he passed her
door he stopped Perhaps at this very
moment she vas packing. Would he
knockf No. he mustn't. He would let
her carry out her plans. a. she said.
and perhaps some day she would real
Ire her fault and come back to him.
The next evening found Marie in q
handsome chamber In one Of the most
fashionable hotels Of the city. She was
| thinking over the events Of the day.
She had mel and rehearsed with Pro
lessor Card a. had been arranged.
and he bad told her of the remarkable
talent she possessed. Never before
had she realised II. Az she sat gazing
at all the luxuries about her she &C
knowiedged to herself how wrong she
had been In p~artaking of such things
that were all 90 unnatural to her; but
her heart. swelling with pride. re
belled against these thoughts.
Every morning for nearly a week
she spent with q dressmaker. Her
afternoons were given for rehearsals.
and In the evenings she Joined Mr..
| Card In theater parties and dances
The night before her performance she
retired early. These new excitements
were all too much for her. and she lay
awake thinking Of baby and Alec. and
how she ionged to he with them now.
The hex morning she arose earlier
than usual. having spent Q restless
night. As she stood before the long
mirror. and the dressmakers skilled
fingers worked busiiy with her COS
tune. she lopged for her bungalow
apron and heaved q sigh Of relief when
the garment was finished and care
fully tucked In her wardrobe. That
afternoon she spent rehearsing. and at
8 dined with Mr.. Card. Seven O'Clock
found her very much excited and nerv-
ous. Later In the evening Mr.. Card
called to accompany her to the the
ater.
She came upon the stage. her eyes
beaming with success. but with an
aching pain tugging at her heart. "rf
Alec could only see now. how proud
he would be Of her" she consoled her
self.
Marie. forgetting her troubles, began
her selection. Her loud voice rang out
clearly and swestly and won the hearts
Of her audience. The applause with
which her lrst selection was greeted
delighted Marie. and In the height Of
her success. she reached for q tele-
gram. which . messenger boy slipped
into her hand. and In an audible whis-
per. she read. baby died this morn
ing. Alec" The audience looked from
one to another In amaxement, and Ma
RE fell back In q dead faint.
Grandma Merrill. hearing the loud
noise on the piazza. dropped the sauce
pan Of potatoes that she was pairing.
and rushed out to the front door. only
to fnd Marie rubbing her eyes with
one hand. and shielding the bump on
her forehead with the other.
-. and It was only q dream after
all" Marie was saying. ~ Alec ap-
peared on the scene . few minutes
later. Just then baby began to cry