Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-07-22


acters than bouncing on to a stage,
followed BY a crowd Of girls, and sing
ing light drivel don't you ?"
IF one has the temperament for II,
] suppose there is" admitted Hark-
ness. Are you sure you won't regret
~ know shan't," answered Lois
bravely. "If only 1t comes off I shall
feel that my life Is full. I shall have
something to work for and strive for.
! shall study 1t always, and endeavor
to rise higher ond higher. You know,
Jimmy, in all seriousness, and without
posing, should love my art II were
real actress.
r,..I. II believe you would, Lois" said
He wat beginning to realize how
deep, woman Lois was. He knew
she had faced tragedy in her life,
just as he was facing one in his. She
loved him just MS much as he loved
Audrey. But she was rising from the
ruins of her hopes to greater heights
than ever she would have attained had
those hopes been realized. lie knew
that If he had married Lois she might
have left the stage, and he and she
would have wandered on through life
carelessly. migrating to Monte Carlo at
the right time. attending race meetings
with the utmost regularity, playing.
dawdling on the edge of life. with u
winding path OF uselessness stretching
behind them. There would probably
never have been children. They would
have been a nuisance.
But now Lois was dedicating herself
to work. If she were successful in her
project, she would be contributing her
ha <,e h., g.,
a great actress must always do her part
in the bencfiting of humanity.
He studied her. Except for the
gravity Of her eyes, she looked the same
Lois he had always known. and he
wondered at 1t, In dull, vague way.
He could not reconcile the smartness of
her dress, the vividness of her color
scheme. with her words. She looked
fragile, a creature to be kis ed and
held. He could have broken her with
one hand. And yet she was stronger
than he!
lie felt his own hopelessness. He
thought OF his father, Of Audrey, of a
hundred mad things he had done in his
life. OF hundred chances squandered:
and instead of remorse. he was filed
with dreadful bitterness against life.
almost against I.ois, that she should
have set him so good an example. Why
couldn't he SO to hell his own way?
He stood up.
DO you mind if take you home
now. Lois?"
Not a bit. Jimmy" She saw that
he had his own battle to fight.
They went out together into the night.
Love Knows No Pride
Constance Brent went back to Knock.
holt filled with conflicting emotions.
During the journey Lord Coming
tons last words rang again and again
in her ears. and they were tocsin to
half forgotten thoughts and wishes
children Of the dead past. Dreams she
had dreamed when the world was fair
and all her life was sunshine lived
again in her imagination. Her lips
which mad known no mans kiss for
what seemed an eternity were warm
with desire she could not analyzc.
She tried to think of Connngton's
GOODNESS, his steely logic. his suavc
But she failed. She felt that
when she said good-by to him they had
been very near to one another-for a
moment the veil had slipped from be.
fore him and shown the man who
walked behind it. An all but incredible
It and failed.
A hackney motor carried her to the
cottage, and she found Audrey in the
garden.
After greeting her Audrey said:
Mamma. | went to see Mr.. Hark-
less. and ] want to know If ! may
% again. You won't mind. will yOu?"
why do you want to pay this second
'isit!' asked Constance.
II want to explain one or two things
---' Audrey was obviously nervous.
And want to ask him an impor-
ant question. She hiush"d, and looked
way. DO you mind if don't tell
GU about it until after l have seen
Constance considered. Her instinct
vas to tell Audrey not to go but
warned her that If she did
o Audrey would refuse to be coerNed. |
She would go. in spite OF everything.
Ou like"
Audrey went two days later. after
writing Hardness and asking him to
lake an appointment with her. and
he found him in the great, untidy room
here first he had received her. She
hOught he looked slightly worn. and
OF in his usual good health. He in
tied her to sit in one Of the big chairs
y the Fireplace, and he sat down
ppOsite her.
IL have come to apologize" Aud
cy's manner was awkward. She wa
rembling, and she hoped he had not
Oticed it.
Why" Hardness eyes did not
ave her face for II moment.
''The last time | saw you was
polish and said all kinds OF bra%tly
hings which were wrons--aboul The
cnlurion. Tor instance. Aftrrward-
learned the truth That is all. |
ont know what you must have thought
I me. ! don't know what | have
bought of myself since knew. Bur
do want you to forgive me. You will,
ont you!'
Hnrkness looked into the fireplace.
There is nothing to forgive" His
Dice was very strained. because you
ere mistaken in your facts it does not
tier the truth of your condemnation.
deserve everything you said. -
You do not Audrey said gently.
So you really forgive me-
"llow could | help but forgive you!"
The que ton brought II flush to
udrey's checks. and her breath came
ister. She tut out her hand.
CONTINUED MONDAY
oUGrfoLf. lSyZ bu the A'rrIury "a, IN, mar