The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1891-10-28
Stage Struck.


found that instead Of going to sleep after
1 bade her good night she was sitting up
studying play books
aIf YOU would only fall in love" /
said with a sigh, your ambition TO shine
in the drama would soon disappear" bot
she shifted at the idea and said she was
created for higher things than to be any
mans drudge
One dav net nv friend smith, who
had been in California 50 many years-
invited him home to dinner, though 1
knew be would never prove an sntdo1e
for Adde'S ambition
Nothing could be more grHoeIuiiy cor
dial than Adde'S reception OF her uneA-
peoted guest, and nothing Prettier than
her manner Of presiding at the dinner
table. She was lovely in her white dress
With acluster Of ruschias dropping from
her hair and another from the pin that
fastened her collar. l saw Dicks big
gray ewes fixed on her again IN honest
admiration. and said TO myself;
He might shave bis beard and raise
mustsche. but. confound it all, he can't
change his name. be won't even Nrite
il Smvtbe-"
That was a pleasant Sunday. The tide
was up. and the little streams, invisible
at low water. threaded the salt meadows
with q network Of silver, when we walk
ed in the morning TO the little village
church that was older than our grandia-
tbers would have been had they lived
Dick and sprowled on the grsss under
the near trees ike two boys all the after
noon. and at sunset Addie joined US at
Dicks request We all walked over to the
sound and back by the light Of the moon
"shining over our right shoulders LOT
good luck" as Addie ssid-
By the time that moon was old sueh
walks we're a common thing Dick got
into 3 way Of meeting me at the depot
apd going home with me for the night
and sometimes he would find it conven-
lent TO take the earlier train, and when
came would find him and Addie read
ing Tennyson or Mrs. Browning IN ine
portch or the grape arbor, or under the
pear tree.
Knowing her talent rather wondered
hatshe:never read for him. ltwss very
strange. too. that she never mentioned
the stage before him, when her mind was
so full cf it.
ROne day with a little curiosity as to
the effect Of my words, and kindly IN
tention. acknowledged Of giving my
friend q timely warning l said, care
lessly;
BY the way, Addie, why don't yoJ
reeite for Dick 1 know he would hk'
TO hear you"
She blushed, hesitated moment, anC
then commenced Maud Muller"
never heard it more eexquisitely rendered
Dick begged for more.
Give rs something more stirring TIN
time said I, a little wickedly, l an
afraid Lady Macbeth, for instance"
Please don't, Charley"
"a Nonsense, childr' persisted. Ho1
must accustom yourself to speaking Il
public if you expect to succeed on tn
stage"
aOn the stage p exclaimed Dick
@Yes. Is it possible that when 70
and Addie are such good friends she ha
never told you Of her pet plans?' ~
Charley !" came beseechingly fror
poor little Addie, but merciiessly col
tinued
Yes, she is going to be an actres
1 have done all could to persuade he
70 give up the idea. but in vain. She
determined to devote her life life 10 th
profession"
a. But you, dear, with such pure, tru
and womanly instincts, how can you reC
oncile yourself to tbs prospect Of a stag
life?" said Dick, earnestly, with plead
ing look in his big gray eyes as he turr
ed them upon my little sister.
cannot" she answered, impetuoui
ly. don't see how I ever fancied
should ike il. l would die sooner tha
90 through The Lady of Lyons or RI
meo and Juliet with man I did NJ
care about"
d" Well-well - well !" I exclaimed
this sudden change of opinion is ratl
er astonishing, though am exceeding
ly glad to hear it. But I shall expeC
next to hear you extract your vow
against matrimony and confess yourse
capable Of falling in love"
Charley, I never knew You to be 5
cruel" said poor Addie, with her face a
ablaze and the tears starting to her eve:
She few out Of the room, and, without
word, Dick got up and followed her int
the garden, leaving ne, as you may i'm
agine, in rather dszed condition, won
dering if the man lived on the face of tn
earth capable Of understanding q woman
sure that if he did his name was Char
ley Hart l looked at my watch,
O'Clock. Lighted one cigar and smokes
II, then another; read the paper, yaHn
ed, Hooked at my watch again-l0. A
last l grew sleepy, threw myself upor
the lounge, and toek q nap. How lon,
1t lasted refrain from staing in consid
Grafton Of Adde'S feelings, but awok,
with an impression that some lone wa
trying to gsrrote me, and found he
kneeling by my side, with her arm
around my neck.
Charley, dear Charley" she whisper
pered, I've been a willful little sister
and given you great deal of uouble
but I'm 50 rry, and you'll forgive me
won't your
OF course I viii, my pet"
And-and want to tell you some
thing, if you'll promise not to laugh q
me and bring up all the horrid speeches
used to make"
Il couldn't remember them all if
tried, my dear" said l, meekly.
Then don't look at me 80 I've founS
out that 1 can love somebody, and III
Dick, and"
And she has promised to marry me,
put IN Dick, gripping my hand.
Oh, Addie" l exclaimed, that
should live to see you give up freedom
and sew on buttons for & man nsmes
Smith .-,eh