Omaha daily bee., 1922-05-11
- The -
Dancing Master
By RUBY AyRES.
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How easily people were deceived
Or Was she growing clever. that shs
could so we'll hide her own despair
Some day. II 60 on like this.
shall forget him." was the thought
with which she eonsoled herself
Some day the pain will so. and
shall care no more"
So Il was . shock 10 her 10 find I
letter lying waiting for her in the
hall. and To recognize Meta Stacey,
writing.
She felt cold as she opened il and
read the few peneiled lines.
I'm writing IN great hurry"
Meta wrote. "My dear. I've had an
awful time since We saw you fort.
night ago. Pat has been most dread.
fully III. and still is; but | can't tell
you in q letter. Can ] come and
see youl Drop me a line to Mrs.
sileum's and say when ! can come
Yours ever, Meta"
Elizabeth went round at Mrs. sill.
Gums the following morning before
Meta was up.
She forgot what Meta might
think. and II she had REMEMBERED
she would not have cared Royston
was ill-that was enough for her.
She had not closed her eyes all night
Mrs. Silcum exclaimed loudly
when she saw her: Law. miss!
What is the matter, But I'm that
glad 10 see you"
There is nothing the matter
Elizabeth said hurriedly. Il want
to gee Miss Stacey. that's all. Can !
go up?' She passed Mrs. Silcum
without waiting for a reply; then,
remembering turned and looked back
at her with wavering smile: "Im
glad to see you. too" she said. "l'll
come down and talk TO you in a
minute"
She few UP the stairs TO Netta's
bedroom and knocked twice before
sleepy voice bade her enter. But
when she opened the door Meta was
apparently fast asleep again.
Elizabeth bent over and touched
her shoulder.
"Netta!'
Meta sat up with a violent start.
She looked pale and i'll, and her eyes
were heavy from want OF sleep. She
stared for a moment; then laughed.
you! Heavens! Is anything the
mattcr?" she asked.
Il got your letter, and ! came in
stead of writing. Metals he's
he very ill?'
Meta was fully awake now. She
flung her rough hair back from her
face and looked at Elizabeth with ac-
cusing eyes. Then she said abruptly:
Whats it matter to you If he is!"
"Nothing-at least-you wrote and
asked to see me. so came," Eliza
beth answered incoherently, hardly
knowing what she said. She was
very pale and her. lips quivered.
HE is i'll. very ILL.," Meta said
sharply. They say he ought to
have an operation but he won't hear
of it-says he can't kfford it, and
stuff like that. They've patched
him up for the time being, but the
doctor says he'll get i'll again if he
goes on dancing" She flung the bed
clothes back, and slipped to the floor
with an impatient movement. I've
oversight; here. talk to me while /
get dressed"
She began brushing her hair, and
sat on the side Of the bed
watching her dumbly. At last:
Where is he?" she asked family.
''In his rooms, Of, course. Where
d, you think he isl" was Metals
tart retort. "in Park Lane nursing
homer" Her voice was bitterly sar-
castle; she began tearing ruthlessly
at the tangles in her hair. "He'd have
died If it hadn't been for me, though
| say it." she went on with suppressed
There was nobody but
his landlady woman to do a thing
for him, and she was no good. His
wife never went near him-hateful
beast; / loathe her! She wrung every
shilling out OF him, and now she
doesn't care what becomes Of him"
She looked Elizabeth full in the eyes.
'I'm wondering if you're the same"
she said deliberately.
Elizabeth gave a stifled cry and
Iprang to her feet.
IF I'm the same! What do you
mean?" she asked shrilly.
what l say" Meta reiterated.
Pat loves you-no, he didn't tell
me-" she added with a mirthless
laugh, as Elizabeth would have
spoken. Il just found it out for my
self. He loves you, and he's never
been the same man since you went
10 the Senestis woman. He's never
said word about you to me, but |
saw-that day down at the inn, when
you were with Farmer. I'm not
such a fool but that | can UNDER
stand"
(Continued in Tho Bee T6morrow).
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