The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1922-01-21

'front.' set along with the or,cers o,
'he browning club. No, they didn't
want to make a spectacle of her, ONLY
II any one should want to point her
out they could do 50 easily.
This overheard conversation be.
tween 81 Bradley and Roger Maple.
wood mad not lightened her spirits es-
peclhlly. She was leaving school at
three that afternoon Then there would
be room or so to sweep. The cake
to make, table to set. supper to serve.
d1shes to wash and then she must
dress In her best cotton wolfe and
catch the seven o'clock trolley back to
Tatum.
She was tired and pale when she
met Mrs. Gray, the president Of the
ciub that evening, and somehow Mrs.
Gray took something of satisfaction.
The paleness and tiredness made her
look all the more settled. Secretly Mrs.
Gray would have enjoyed leading Rose
| up on the stage between the acts and
presenting her to the audience as the
one they had selected rs their bene-
| ficiary
All eyes were focused on the stage
when the curtain rose. It was Prof
Moore who received immediate atten-
ton He was the substitute who had
been imported at the last minute. Not
only was he Stranger but the tones
of his voice and the obvious sureness
or his action were new to the inhabi-
tants OF Tatum. The general comment
was that he seemed like regular
actor. The attention was so thorough
~ focused on this imported performer
that few of the audience noticed a lit
tie furry In the front row when Rose
Terry slid from her seat supine heap
on the floor, or later. when half con-
scious and supported by Mrs. Gray's
strong arm, she made her exit before
the performance had more than begun.
That's Rose Terry" people whis-
pered. "She's worked awful hard"
WELL l only hope she appreciates
what the people of Tatum are doing
for her. guess she isn't the only one
that feels like fainting."
These words were the first that Rose
heard as she slowly regained full con-
seriousness propped up against chair
IN the cool Of the vestibule. They did
not help her to get a grip on herself.
And as she made an effort to get back
her strength by inhaling long breaths
OF fresh air she felt the tears well In
her eyes. Quickly her thoughts went
back to the experiences Of the last five
minutes. She tried to choke back the
sObs but she could not resist the wave
OF weakness that seemed to sweep
over her. She held her hands to her
eyes and made no answer nor any ef-
fort to look up when Mrs. Gray shook
her and told her to get control Of her.
self. She felt strong desire to cease
to exist and almost welcomed the
faintness that she felt coming back
to her.
She was conscious enough to do a
little rapid thinking as they carried
her out through a side hall into the
dressing rooms. She tried to protest.
They mustn't take her there. But her
efforts were in vain. She knew they
laid her on q wicker lounge in one Of
the dressing rooms. She knew some
one was tanning her. Then a long
time passed and then. 1t seemed
she had suddenly been transported
back two years. Yates Moore was
bending over her. She felt his breath
and recognized his voice. 1t was only |
when she opened her eyes and saw his
fantastic costume that she remem- |
bered where she was and what had |
happened. Then some one hurried I'D |
to Yates Moore. looking very surprised.
They had been looking for him, wait
ing to send up the curtain after the
second act. Yates hesitated, then
pressed Roses hand and begged her
% remain there until he came back.
The next morning an executive
meeting Of the officers Of the Browning
society was called by telephone and
lot one of the members failed to ap-
Dear promptly in Mrs. Gray's parlor.
No one needed to be told, for the
had spread like wildfire,
hat Rose and Prof. Moore had talked
o each other after the performance.
Rose had once been engaged to him,
md there had been quarrel. 1t was
lot known just then what the quarrel
vas all about. Mrs. Gray promised to
ave full details for the next meeting.
The important thing was that Rose
vas going to marry Prof. Moore at
nee instead Of going to college
and she looked so plain and set
led" sighed leading Browningite.
Well. she oughtn't to have applied
or the scholarship if she had had any
uch plans in her head l.
"She didn't apply" came back in
n supplementary manner from
IRIS Gray in the chair. "What we
amt to do now is to look over the
of the other applicants.
lose Terry Is done for as far as the
society is concerned"
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