Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-03-27

many years of hunger-to have love
smile at him, to have success beckon
to him!
81 would give my life to try the
partw he said. And for once the
phrase meant something. For Louis
really felt at last that he could be
equal to surrounding his terror of
death; that he would be willing to
stake his life if he could win both
Nine. Leah's love and at the same
time success on the stage where he
had played only the humblest of parts.
He told her SO, his voice choking with
sincerity.
well, any one who feels that way
is bound to VIM she said. ''You
shall rehearse the part. For ] like
you, Louis; always did like you. And
/ like the way you resisted the police
and did not tell them what they
wanted to know. Come and dine with
me tonight after the show"
N, X
EOR the following two weeks Louis
did not know whether ne was on
earth, in heaven or in hell. 1t did
not seem possible that he should be
melodrama, the role of the hero with
whom the heroine, played by Nine.
Leah herself, was desperately in love.
It did not seem possible that Nine.
Leah should be tender with him after
Eehearsals as she was.
In a few days, too, would come the
night when the curtain would rise,
the critics would come and perhaps
who knows?-would like him in his
new role and write next day about It
in the boulevard press.
And it was the torment of hell to
have Nine. Leah bring her red lips
close to his, then suddenly, capricious-
ly snatch them away, bring him
groveling to her feet. Then she would
almost forgive him, almost say the
words he would have died to hear
and again she would snatch lips and
promise away!
At last he could bear it no longer.
They were alone in her apartment in
back of the theater. He broke down
and sobbed:
II will kill myself if you keep up
this torture. / love you and my life
is yours, If you want it. But if you
don't want it, for PHYS sake tell me
so truly and / will go away. But
this-this, ] cannot endure any
iongerv
She looked slyly at the head buried
in her lap.
do you really love me, LOUISE"
He did not answer. He need not
answer. Then prove it to me, Louis.
If / have not given you the love you
want, it is because perhaps /, too.
have suffered. I have met so many
who use their love as instruments for
getting something out Of me. I must
have proof Of your love-"
He rose haggard. How can prove
it, il you don't believe me?" he asked.
you can prove it by telling me
what you refused to tell the police"'
He gave her a startled look. Are
you working for the police? Is that
why you have led me on?" he de-
manded, quivering.
She laughed loudly. why, what
an accusation to makei Aren't you
ashamed
He looked at her steadily and spoke
slowly, with an impressiveness that
was wholly new to his mouselike ma
ture.
Leah, If l thought you have done
all this-only to use me-
She dug her fingers into his hair
and drew his head down to her lap
so that he could not see her eyes.
Don't be silly" she said. 81 am
not as fond Of the police as all that
But you refused to tell them how
you got to the head Of the drug ring;
refused out of fear of death. And
want TO see il your love of me is as
strong as your fear Of death. that's
all. So tell me-
Louis did not answer at first Then
his words, muffied, came from him,
slowly, weightily. as from one who
speaks from the depths of life's desire.
81 was afraid Of death then. ]
no longer am. Life or death has no
longer any terror for me. Yet more
than ever l would want to live--if
! thought you really love me-