Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1890-06-28
ONE GENT

derstand her feelings. My 81 600 freed
me from many present worry, and be-
fore il was gone had secured quite
paying practice.
attended Howard in his own apart
ments. When he was sufficiently recov-
cred he went abroad for awhile. He re-
turned, after some months, pleased with
his trip. aud delighted with his handsome
brown mustache. which certainly added
much to his good looks. He was SO busy
with social arrangements and was 80
fully occupied that for some months
saw very little of him. The fault was
chiefly mine, however, for Frank seemed
to think more of me than ever. and
often found his card upon my return
from a professional call One evening
he came and found me at leisure.
so glad TO find you in, doctor, he
said, @rve come to be congratulated.
I'm ing to marry the dearest girl in the
world. and want you, my best friend, to
wish me joy.
l did congratulate him heartily, and
asked ( knew the lady.
@No. think not, he replied @She is
Mis- Mildred Faye, memberof the COM
pany at - theater. Don't look SO sur
prised Not nicer girl lives. A breath
of .lander has never touched her name.
Her father died when she was about 18-
Just out of school. He was thought to
be very we'll off-the family had always
lived in good style-but at his death his
wife and two daughters found them
selves almost penniless. Not even their
home belonged to them. Mrs. Faye,
delicate little body, unused to work OF
any kind, had no idea as to how they
we're to make living, so Mildred had to
take the lead Kate, three or four years
younger than she, must be kept in school,
and the three must be provided some-
how with food, clothing. and shelter.
Mildred had been fairly educated, but not
thoroughly enough to attempt teaching,
so she determined to go upon the stage.
She had had good deal of experience in
amateur theatricals, and had been very
warmly praised for her acting. / had
heard of Miss Faye's talent, but never
happened to see her. Good critics had said
she would make sensation if she would
go on the stage. professionally. When
she announced her determination her
friends were much shocked, and her
mother quite overcome, but no one had
anything better to suggest, so she had
her own way. She knew that she was
inexperienced, and must be content with
small salary and small part to begin
with. She wished very much to get into
home company, but that seemed inn
possible, so she accepted minor part in
very good company going upon the
road.
No one who has not tried it can under
stand what she had to endure. Tenderly
cared for all her life, with plenty Of
money for reasonable needs, she now had
to practice the sirictest economy. She
stopped at cheap hotels, did " ithout fires,
walked whenever it was possible to do SO,
all to save every cent size could for the
loved ones at home. She was under
study for the leading lady, who was
neither young nor pretty, but who pos
sessed what Mildred most lacked, expert
ence. She also possessed temper, and
one night, not long before the rising Of
the curtain, refused to go on. The long
suffering manager appea ed to Mildred.
She was letter perfect, and in spite of
considerable natural nervousness made q
great hit The delig ted manager gave
her the part for the rest Of the season,
but tried to keep her salary unchanged.
This she would not agree to, so they
finally compromised on fairsum which
enabled Mildred to take better care of
herself and to send more money to her
mother. The part suited her. and every
where she W; S warmly praised for her
acting. Everything locked bright and
promising when telegram called her to
her mothers side. 1t was so worded that
she was not much alarmed. 1t was Sat
urday night. They were near New York.
and she left, expecting to reioin the COM
pany in time for the performance Mon
day evening.
She found that her mother had slipped
upon the stairs and dislocated her arm.
This had been ct, and, the doctor said,
would soon be we'll; but she was nervous
and shaken, and would not hear of Mill
dred's leaving her, and kept the poor
girl until her place in the company had
long been filed. When Mrs. Faye, slowly
recovering, came to her senses, the sea-
son was nearly closed and an engagement
was not to be had. Their money was
about gone, and times, l fancy, were
pretty hard, when some good friend
must have helped them with loan At
the beginning of this season Mildred got
her present position. A very good one,
if she was going to remain upon the
stage, which she's not, you know. She
is going to marry me two wee Ks from
to-day. / want you and Mrs. Reene to
come to the wedding. Only the family,
young lady friend Of Mildred's, and my
dear old partner, will be there. The
rooms are too small to have any one else.
We go away at once. Mrs. Faye and
Kate viii take possession Of our house,
which am busy furnishing. You know
I've never had much of a home, and feel
awfuIly happy over the prospect Of hay-
ing such nice mother and sister and