Evening star., 1928-12-25


in the wings. She ran back. Play,
play again, my friends" she cried to
the orchestra. They played again for
her. Yvonne was swept into the dance.
everything forgotten save that she was
bidding good-by to a part of herself.
She repeated each of her three num-
bers that evening, and at the close of
the last one stumbled from the stage,
her eyes wet with tears. Drake was
waiting for her.
You must not leave us, he cried
Come, name your price! You shall
have whatever you want, If you will
only stay"
Mrs. Ogden beside him was crying.
"Yvonne, Yvonne," she wept You
have no right to give up this beautiful
thing. Stay here. Let me 90 to Rich
ard and explain. Don't give up your
art. Don't
But Yvonne was not to be moved
Her decision was made. She smiled
sadly at them.
Farewell" she said And a little
later she left the theater for the last
time.
Thursday morning!
Yvonne was not one to repine over
the past. In the morning light all the
last three months seemed unreal, q
dream. She put on working dress,
tied her curls in a big white handker-
chief, and proceeded to give the house
such cleaning as would have made
Lottie'S eyes stand wide with surprise.
This finished, she turned her attention
to her cooking. Richard must have the
pastries, the salad, the vegetables he
liked best All afternoon she toiled at
the labor she loved. Toward s she
bathed and dressed in her silk peasant
costume. And then she sat down to
wait.
Seven passed, and no Richard.
Yvonne went to the piano and played
for little
Eight o'clock and no Richard.
Yvonne went to the kitchen and cast
anxious looks az the feast that waited
to be served
Nine o'clock. Richard had net ar
rived. Yvonne was not anxious about
him, but she was heavy-hearted over
his delay. She was very tired from
her long hard day. Slowly her head
dropped and presently she slept, sitting
IN a low rocker. She woke with a start.
1t was after 10. Richard was not COM
ing then, of this she felt sure Slowly.
too tired and unhappy for tears, she
went to her room and fell into heavy
slumber.
She wakened early in the morning
Friday Richard would surely come to-
day. She got out of bed and dressed
in her working garments and then
started toward the stairs. At the top
Of the stairway stood one of Richards
bags. Yvonne's heart stopped beating.
How had it come there? After a long
silent look, she went to the door Of his
room: She listened, but there was no
sound. Softly she opened the door a
crack. Yes. Richord had come home.
He was sleeping quietly there in his bed.
Such bitterness swept over Yvonne as
to make her put out her hand and
catch the door to save herself from
falling. The sound made Richard wake
He turned and stretched in bed and
then caught sight of her, standing there
frozen in the half,opened doorway.
'Yvonne," he called. "Yvonne, what
1t is? Don't look so frightened I got
in late last night and decided not to
disturb you Come here and kiss your
husband, child
r Yvonne went forward listlessly and
| kissed him. Then she sat on the edge
of the bed while he held her hand and
talked cheerfully about his trip.
Finally-"Got in last night in plenty
of time to make the houSe for dinner
Central and nothing wound do but that
I go to the club with him for dinner.
Got to talking afterward and barely
made the train home. Sorry you
weren't awake"
Yvonne got to her feet. at will make
breakfast ready, Richard" she said.
But look here" Richard protested
'You don't seem bit glad to have me
back Been lonely for you hasn't it?"
mo. I have not been lonely"
Yvonne said quietly. You will be
down in half an hour, as usual?"
Richard nodded and watched her ss
she left the room. He was puzzled
Talking to Bob West the night before
he had half-decided that Bob was righ,
in claiming Yyonne was deeply in love
with him, her husband. This morning
surely didn't look like it. He bathed
and went down to breakfast.
Perhaps Yvonne was angry because
he had not wakened her the night be-
fore. He would try to make converse
ton at the table.
Still the same wonderful cook" he
said as he sat down.
He could hardly have chosen more
unfortunate opening Yvonne made an
excuse to go to the kitchen. There she
got her features under control But
when Richard went up to his laboratory
Immediately after breakfast her tears
had their way For an hour she lay on
her bed, racked and torn by sobs. At
last she sat up. Her face hardened into
mold Of endurance. She had made
her bed. She would lie in it, though
1t killed her.
CTo be Continued)