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«Manna w-vâ€"w - ~ -...-..» “w. wmnm ~ - rworlth watching in nice, if you don’t look out. Are you. A Woman’s Whole ' Existence. " The soul has growing pains as well as the body, and every woman capable of growfth must go through them when she learns that man’s love is of his life, a thing apart.” " What I can’t realize,” said Elsie, " that you are Drake the actor. You don’t know how it startles me,' when ll hear one of the piazza ghouls point you out, or see those silly little girls posing in your pathway. To me you are justâ€"” Drake leaned forward and mother eyes squarely. “I am justâ€"2” Drake repeated. “A manâ€"” “ Well i” " Whom Iâ€"-” " \Yell ?” " You may think those girls are looking through that telescope, but they aren’t,” said Elsie, nodding to- wards a group on the other side of the wide porch. “They’re watching every movement you make.” , “ \Vell, they will V see something about two min- going to finish that sentence?” Elsie recognized that it was time to .rctreat. 'He never made empty threats. " ' H" ""~"” ‘ " Why, to me your just Stephen Drake, a man I’ve known at the sea- side this summer,” she said. “I mean you don’t carry your profession around with you. You don’t walk it, or stand it, or speak it”, "Perhaps that is because I take it so seriously.” _ “ You have a right to.‘ But its be- ‘cause of your family and education and all that. You’re too 'well bred to advertise yourself. Yet, when I think about it, I can see the actor in you.” How 2” :â€" other. and yet you always recognize, at the time, that you have it, and what is its. picturesque value. mental self-consciousness. listening?” He dropped his head on his hand and moved his stick until it touched her, foot. ‘ “Elsie, Elsie, I’ve an emotion now,’ he said half under his breath. " VVon’t you recognize it? Don’t you want me to love you ‘2” She seemed absorbed in the‘figures of her dimi'ty gown. “ Elsie i” ",I’m afraid I do,” she said, with a catch in her voice. Then the barrier was down, and she looked straight int-o his eyes. “I love yewâ€"dreadful- 1y.” she said. “Don’t you know it ?” The night before Drake went back to town, they strolled ddwn the moon- lit beach, his arm across her shoul- ders the instant the bluff hid them from the hotel. , “ To think that Ih ave never seen you act!” she said. "It is the 'big- gest part of your life, and I know nothing about it except that every- body calls "you the coming man. It half frightens me. I feel so far away from you.‘ I never dreamed I should marry a genius.” ' " You won’t. You’ll marry a man, not a career," said Drake, with em- phasis. “Take away every scrap of talent I possess, andI should love you just the same. And marry you, too,” he boasted. She laughed happily. They were standing on a smooth strip of beach selt in a h.llf circle of rocks. In the unreal light of, the summer moon it was not unlike a: stage, with the ocean stretched out like at 'great rustling audience in front. She drop- pod down on the sand, leaning against a rock. “Aot something for me,’ she com- manded. He threw aside his hat, and stood looking down at her over folded arms. “ For here lies Juliet, and her beau- ty makes this vaulta feasting pres- ence full of light ” he began. The voice the scene and the reality of the love be'tweeu them opened the door to a new world of meaning, behind the words: She lay thrilled and breathless as he Wenlt on: “I will stay with thee; And never from this palace of dim (niglhlt, Depart again.” Great tears were rolling down her cheeks, but she did not take her eyes from his face, ' ‘ “ Eyes, look your last! Alrmr-‘l. nuke your last embrace! and lips, 0 you The doors of breath. seal with a right- eous kiss, a .for his work first “ Well, in a way you have two In- ner selves, and one is always the au- dience watching the have an emotion its perfectly genuine If you it is a sort of Are you 3 A dateless _ bargain to death." He kissed herâ€"not an actor’s kissâ€" then lifted his head to take the poi- SOIL engrossing “ Here’s to my love.” Drake’s own eyes were wet, and his audience was sobbing heart brokenly. He took her into his arms and rocked her and made inarticulate love to her till she was quieted. He had never seen her cry before. It. hurt him de- liciously. He realized that they Were inserting a ,date into their private history; that whatever happened, neither of them would ever lose the vivid memory of this hour. After she had gone to her own room Elsie sat with her arms on the win- dow sill, staring out over the ocean, till a clock striking two, startled her back to reality. “Oh, he is wonderful!” she said, with a deep breath. ‘f No one ever acted like that before. The world will go wild over him! . He must live 'and me second. Whatever happens, I shall never let him put me first. 011, my dear, my dear! ‘I wonder if other girls care like this ’3” I I O ‘ C C O O r The theater was crowded on the opening night of “ Lady Betty.” Rose Atherton would have been sure of that even if she had not been sup- ported by Stephen Drake, who had risen so wonderfully in the few years of his stage life that he was on the verge of becoming a star himself. There had been nothing meteoric about his' career. (It had been the steady, sure advance of talent and serious ambition. Elsie sat back against the wall of the box and shivered with excitement as the preliminary scenes dragged themselves out on the stage. She was very happy, and very proud. How the people would sit up and stare and stamp for her Stephen! They would call him before the curtain, and he would. smile at her and- There was a laugh, a door was flung open, and in came Drake. He was rumpled, out of breath, and shak- ing with laughterâ€"such laughter! The house roared in sympathy, with no idea why, as he mopped his eyes, and broke out over again. Lady Betty’s flaxen head was thrust through the portieres. “You didn’t, you didn’t 3” she called mookingly. “I will, then!” And he was off af- ter her with an abandon that en- deared him for the evening with the house. - But Elsie felt strangely chilled. He had never laughed like that with her, never given her a glimpse of that ro1â€" licking, boyish side. Did it take a flaXen haired, fascinating Lady Betty to bring out the fun that was in him. "\Vhy, I don’t know him at all, and he knows every bit of me,” she thought, feeling suddenly very lone- ly and unimportant. If he had once looked at her it might have been dif- ferent. But during all the three hours while he danced to Lady Betty's piping it never seemed to occur to him that there was some one in the stage box. At the end,. when the flaxen head dropped meekly down on his shoulder he might have sent her a glance just to show that he realized it was all play acting. But he merely smiled down on Lady Betty. Elsie went home silent and de- pressed, dreading to face Drake, who was coming up to supper. “It’s all so‘silly and unreasonable,” she thought miserably. "Yet Ifeel it, and I can’t help showing it. I'm .utterly'cold, and he’ll see it and be hurt. I wish he wouldn’t come." But wh 11 Dr ke came, :ln‘i, catching the look in his eyes ch tnged the whole aspect of the evening in an instant. She went to him impulsively. "So you liked me to-night Z” he said, thinking herexcitment was for the actor. She gave.a‘ happy little laugh of relief. Her past trouble seemed a foolish, meaningless 'whim, quite un- worthy to be remembered. “Liked you '3'” she said, “Liked you? Oh, my dear!” The “reicul “Lad-V Batty” “ms [Ul‘ She closed her eyes, but could not shut llild lowed by a more serious drama, that, lout the‘picture “mt haunted them__a lwlaned (0,. herself, when, another according to the papers, "showed the versatile Drake in a new light." ' To one member of the audience it was startlingly new. Elsie stared at this exalted, passionate lover with set lips. There was a great, tormen- ting weight in her chest, and the triumphant scene at _ the end left her.cold and faint. She sent word to Drake that she was too tired to see him, and endured in rigid silence till she was safe in her own room. Then she- flung hersalf down and faced it. “Oh. l'rn jealous; miserably, idioti- cally j!:lltlll3!" she cried, burying her face in the cushion. “I can't help it and I can't bear it. I know better in my mindfbut it" doesn’t make any difference when heâ€"-heâ€"oh, he had no right to kiss her like that! Of course, I’m not jealous of her as a womanâ€"" She broke off and lay very still for a moment, as though listening to some one else. Then a little sob shook her. "Yes, I am!” she said under her breath. “I could kill her when she pushes back his hair. And he kissed her fingers one by one, just as he does mine. I know he isn’t acting with meâ€"butâ€"he doesn’t seem to be act- Oh, I’m so I don’t deserve him. I know perfectly well that I’m first with him. But I’m jealous, jealous! And I can't help it." Drake came up to see her the next morning, looking tired and worn. “\Vas the play too much for you 2” he said, throwing himself down on the divan.- He. held out his hand to her, but she stood leaning on achair. “Yes it was.” Her voice sound- ed constrained. “l've thought about it all. night and I can’t see any way out of .it. The truth is, Stephen, I’m unbearably jealous." , "My dear girl i What on earthâ€"L" "Oh, I know how you care for me! It’s just ,thatIcan't bear it, to see you make love to some one else like that. It hurts me like knives! I’m ashamed of it but it’s so true'that I came away sick and cold last night. And l'was jealous at 'Lady Betty,’ too, ing with her, either. ashamed! though I wouldn't confess it.” Drake came and put his hand on her shoulder. “Is there something you’re not tell- ing me, Elsie? Havc. you heard any silly tales about me i” "No, honestly. I shouldn’t believe them if I did. It’s just sitting there andâ€"watching you. It kills me. If you weren’tsuch a good actor, or I, such. a good layer, it would be all right," she ended, trying‘ to smile. "But you know it is every bit act- ing. You will realize that in a lit- tle while,” he urged. “"ruly, Elsie, you will get used to it." She lifted his hand to her face and bit it gently withher little sharp teeth. "'When I get used to seeing you make love to another woman for any earthly reason, it will be time to break cur engagement," she said. "I’m not that kind of a woman. But I’ll try.” Night after night she went to the theatre, trying faithfully to “get used to it ;" and it seemed to her as if every night it hurt her in a new place. To see little gestures and tricks of love making, that she had believed sacred to her, offered .up to this tin- sel goddess for- the amusement of the public made her quiver with an anger she was too proud to explain; and of course Drake did not understand. She had vowed that his work should always come before her, but it stung her that he never seemed to dream that it could come anywhere else. Sincerely as he loved her, he lived for his profession, and gave it his best, reserving nothing. Their relations grew strained and uncomfortable, for Drake was over- worked and irritable, and did not‘half understand the barrier that was growing up betWeen them. It was the opening night of the Shakesperean week that brought: matâ€" ters to a climax. The play was "Romeo and Juliet.” Rose Atherton showed herself the very spirit of ‘Julict, young, innocent, passionate, and Drake seemed to be laying the cornerstone of a great. fame. Every word and gesture told. They pictur- Even that night, you were studying effects, quite collectedly, while I was utterly carried away. I’m not blaming you. You can’t help it. If you were a novelist, you would write up our dear- est moments into love scenes, and wonder why it hurt me. You are watching yourself live while I am living from head to foot, blindly. Oh, I can’t put. it into words! Ican have only such a small part of your life that it is better I should stay outside of it altogether. I can’t give the whole and get back such a little cor.- her. This ends it. Good-bye.” She slipped out and mailed the let- ter, then stood at her window staring at a rod glow that was lighting up the city. The whistle of fire engine came to her faintly. 'Smoke was roll- ing up, thick with red sparks. A faint echo of confusion and alarm spread even to her quiet neighborhood. She watched the fire-till it died down and left the city (Lark again. After she went tobed she lay: awake. hour after hour, starting up nervously at interâ€" vals to fling herself into, a new posi- tion. "Oh, why do things hurt me so l” she exclaimed, clue-ping both arms tightly around. her pillow. "Stephen, I had to do‘it. I couldn’t bear it any longer, and, oh my dear, you won’t suffer like this.” .A sound of wheels in the empty street made her start up, listening, The swift clash of hoofs on the asphalt see-med to be spelling out her name. She went to the window and saw a cab draw up to consult the numbers, and then approach more slowly. There was still a faint odor of smoke in the air. The cab stopped at her house, as she had known it would. Flinging on a wrapper, she stole downstairs and Opened the front door.A groteSque‘ overcoat over medieval slashed trunks and silk tights. His hair fell in curls on his shoulders, but his face was white behind the marks of his make up. ‘ "Does Miss Elsie McIvcr live hear 2” he asked, so unconscious of- his appear- ance that she stiffened herself to meet the worst news of all. “Yes, I am Miss McIver.” "Then you’re safe,” he exclaimed, “Drake was in‘such distress about you that the doctor sent meâ€"” "\Vhat do you mean? \Vhat has hap- pened l” "Weren’t you at the theatre? Didn’t you know that it took fireâ€"” She caught his coat with trembling hands. . , “Stephen 7” fgue stood there, wearing a modern He hesitated, then looked away. “Pretty badly hurt, I'm afraid.” "\Vill you take me to him? I can be ready, in a minute. lâ€"“her voice brokeâ€"“I am going to marry him." She was back in a few moments, won- derfully controlled, though he felt her tremble as he helped her into the cab, “I left the theatre just after â€" he drank the poison,” she said, “Please tell me what happened.” “\Vhy, not three minutes later, flames shot out at the left; wings, Nobody knows 110w they started. In a second the whole scene was on fire, and, of course there was a panic. \Ve tried to fight it, but it. was too much, and we escaped by the stage door.” “But Stephen f” “He wouldn’t come. Heâ€"he wanted lto see if you got out safely, of course, iso he dropped down over the footlights and tried to find you. And then he was Icaught in the jam on the stairs and wasâ€"” "0h, not burned, not burned!” sob- ' bod Elsie. i “No, no; truly! But when the roof :fell, those -â€" that couldâ€"surged for- qulet” he answered, but his votco was more rational. "Here she‘is herselfwt'q prove 1t.‘ They opened the door wide, and, with a sudden new strength, she came ‘quxetly in and took his hands. "Here , I am, Stephen," she and kissed him‘ on the forehead. He clung to her, with little catchma- tio-ns that made her lips tremble, but she talked to him and ran 'her fingers through his hair until he relaxed in- to sleep, still holding her hand. Then. she turned to the doctor with a question in her eyes. . "We will know, better in the morn- ing," he answered evastvely. “I ex- pect a trained nurse anyâ€"ah, here she is,” as a woman entered, follow- ed by the motley figure in doublet and curls. _ The latter carried a cup ‘of hot cof- fee and some little twisted rolls which he put on a chair beside Elste. She dared not dropl Drake’s hand, so Mer- cutio, kneeling beside her, held the saucer and broke off little pieces of the rolls for her, so kind and earnest, and so unconscious of his streaked face, that she smiled W‘ltho'ut realiz- ing it and faced the mo'rnlng With new courage. Early in the day the doctor came, bringing a colleague, and they held a‘ whispered conference. When the consulting physician had gone E1516 turnwl questionineg to the other. "'."hings are gomg better than I d'al‘ed hope,” he said. "With good Care, I think he’ll come out all right." "Andk-his acting?" She dared form the question. It. had hung over her all-night,-Side by side with, her fear of his life. Can he go on with that?" . "Oh, yes, I think so, when he 18 strong enough,” She caught his hand in both hers. "I am so thankful,” she whispered. "I-I couldn’t have borne that.” Mercutio, in modern clothing, came- in with an envelope in hts hand. "Here's a letter for 111111. Will you take charge of it?” “Yesâ€"I’ll take charge of it," said Elsie, slipping it. into her pocket. .â€"â€"â€"â€"o___.. CAPTURED 4-0 GUNS. Thc Ashanti ltcllcl‘ Force Surprises IIIE Enemy. ,9. despatch- from London, says:â€"The: UndnerL-Secretary of State for the Colonies, the Earl of Selborne, an-~ novulnc-e'd in the House of Lords on- Thaursday' that the Governor of the Gold Coast Colony, Sir F-rederlc Mit- chIele Elodgson, with s1x_ hundred na‘ tive soldiers, commanded by Major Morris, lezft Kumasst June 23rd. HE added that Captain Bishop and 100 n'atlve soldiers remained there, .with- rations sufficient to last until July :151'h‘. Col. Willcocks promises to per- said, sonally, relieve lKumassr by that date, V under any circumstances. The: news of. the Governor’s leaving, Kumassi was contained in a despatch. from Col. \Villcocks, dateid ll‘umsu, July 4, which adds:â€" "Burroughs with four hundred na-r tive soldlers arrived at Dompossr July 1. The enemy wus‘completcly surn- prised, and evacuated the siockades Burroughs captured forty guns and. ammunition, and killed thirty of the enemy.” ..___._____ A SUCCESSFUL UNION. A Polish couple came before a Jus~ Lice of the Police in an American town. to be married. The young man hand-- ed him the marriage license and lho pair stood up before him. Join hands, said His Honor. They did so, and the justice looked at the document which authorized. =to unite in matrimony Zacharowiez- lPerczynski and Leokowarda Jeniinn~~ I ed the perfection of warm, human. 3 ward, and he was crushed against the l sellin- hel‘ alone. held out both htUldS l0 1181', l elemental love, and the audiencelwall. It may be that ho. has only 'sat motionless before it. "For here lies Julietâ€"â€"” Drake's voice 'was strangely thrill- ,ing. The house vibrated to it. “Eyes, look your last! Arms, take your last embracel’.y -_A girl in tne audience murmured isomething to 1 her companion, As tRomeo fell they stole quietly out. She iwas very pale. 3 “No, it’s nothing. rm just a little faint. I want to get home,” she said. l ;strip of black set in a half circle of ldark rocki, and a man kneeling beside {a girl who watched him "wnh wct 'checks. l "Eyes, look your last!" she subbed lo Shersclf as she ran to her own room, :dragged off her gloves,.and sat down .at her desk. "it. is no use” she wrote, "I can’t ibear it. That scene was the most sacred thing in my whole lifeâ€"l co'uld hardly have spoken to you about it! iAnd all Ill-e while to you it was merely ‘a rehearsal. You could every lone and inflection and gesture, for anybody. copy it in , said I broken a rib or two. The doctor hadn‘t finished when} I left. The main thing was to quicL him about you.” ] Elsie lay back l‘n'ihe corner, her [face in her hands. Al. the very} mo- iment when he had been fighting hisI :w.zy.lhrough a burning building to find her she had been sitting safe ’at home, writing him a Goldablooded’l brutal, selfish lettei-{tclling him that he did not care enough, and glvmg' _ him up for a pang of hurt vanity. She been small and mean. She EWUmIII would only have rejoiced for 1 him. She saw herselfi 111 a new light, imelrcilessly, and the sight was un- ‘bearable. She waited in lhe liall while her companion whispered \viah the doctor. Drake was talking fev- erishly, and the. [words hurt her like blows. - “Where is she? Oh, for Gods sake, why can’t I find her? Slop jamming, you brutes, Fifth row, aisle ,. "She is all right, Drake,' "Sllégo‘l oul safe. Don’t wor- ry." ' '_‘Oh, you’re just lying, to keep me, Ahem! he said. Zachaâ€"h'mâ€"h’mâ€"~ ski, do you lake this womanâ€"â€"? and. so forth. Yes, sr, responded the young man. Leoâ€"h’mâ€"ahLâ€"ska, do you take. this main to beâ€"? and so forth. Yes sir. Theln I pronounce you man and‘ . wife, he said, glad to find something. ‘he could pronounce; and I heartily ioongratulate you both on having rev :duced those two names to one. _â€".â€"-~â€"v WAY AHEAD. Sunny Slopeâ€"Soyoulwuz in do reg lar army for three years? How (lit yer like it? Northern Litzeâ€"Oh. it wuz stmpl; .grent! Only fer dc grub, de drills de clothes, dc officers, de. barracks and do pay, it would my way over, (16 average. _ v _â€"+__ FEMALE POSTAL OFli‘ICIAL. The head of the Postal Departmem at Gibraltar is a woman, who has oc- some one cupied the position for 10 years. Sh. receives a salary of $2,750 per annum being the highest paid woman in th. postoffice service. hardly . 11' ' I ._..._-._____.$â€"