Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1891-02-19

away. and there was no word. no sign
OF Geraldine.
What might be happening to her?
What privations. what suffering might
she not be enduring? He knew she
would endure much before her pride
would let her acquaint them with it.
Sydney Ascot, during these months,
was never at rest. Night and day,
when he knew rehearsals were ON, he
haunted the stage-doors of various the
aters. He took upon himself the role of
actor, and was constantly paying fees
to theatrical agents for impossible
engagements, which gave him the
right, however, to drop in at all times at
their offices, but never did he see or hear
Of Geraldine.
''I must give it up. She must be
travelling" he thought. dejectedly, as
he sat one morning at breakfast. 81
can't search all through the country"
He was scanning the advertisements
as usual, when his eye lighted on this:
''To ladies and gentlemen with his
trionic talent Vacancies. For further
particulars apply to Rossmere, No. =
Ninety-seventh street, New York City,
between three and six p. M
''It's last chance. I'll try" decided
Sydney.
At three he was at the house, when
he was shown into rather large. dingy
room, with dark merinO curtains over
a recess-window. The walls were lib
orally plastered with the photos of
actors and actresses of the day. Theat-
rical papers were scattered on the table
and floor.
Several applicants of both sexes were
already there. Not the form he sought,
and Sidney, having tipped the small
boy who acted as usher to summon him
last, stepped into the deep shadow of
the curtain, sat down and waited.
Knock, knock! in they came, dupe
after dupe, with hope and am bition or
hopeless despair beating at each heart.
But no Geraldine.
1t was drawing near six o'clock; only
one applicant was now waiting beside
! himself "a showily dressed, much
made-up young girl-when the door
opened, and-she Geraldine, entered.
At last! Sydney caught his breath,
his brain whirled, he felt suffocating,
then he recovered and looked at her.
Oh! Heaven, what a change! The face
was still pretty, but so pale. SO lined
with anxiety, the cruel hope deferred
that maketh the heart sick. She knew
the other, for the latter spoke:
SCOT no chance yet, my dear, eh?''
''No,'' replied Geraldine, listlessly,
sitting down. ''I've come here to try;
but it's the old thing, of course-a fee,
and promises never realized"
YOU'D best follow my advice. Take
to opera bouffe. You are pretty, with
good figure. You'll get engaged for
that, just TO stand on in crowd. 1t
keeps off starvation. Then, in time,
you may be intrusted with "a line or two
to speak,
Sydney saw the hot blood leap to his
darling's cheek.
NO. she said. ''Never that. I'll
starve first
''That's just what 1 fear you will do,
my dear" remarked the actress. as,
summoned by the boy, she left the
| room.
AS the door closed, believing she was
alone Geraldine dropped her head on
the table with moan.
| eff this fails me- she almost sObbed
sswhat shall do?-oh, what shall do?''
''Return to me, to your right home
in my heart, my darling, my love. Oh,
| have found you, Geraldine!'
He had advanced. His arms were ex-
tended; his countenance convulsed with
emotion.
Geraldine had sprung up, then re-
coiled.
Sydney! Your' she calculated. Then,
''No, no! I never can return-never!''
and she bowed her face in humiliation,
in shame upon her hands.
Geraldine, from the hour you disap-
peared 1 have been seeking you,'
he said. MY love has increased at
every failure. VIII you not give me
some recompense for my devotion? Will
you, indeed, ruin my life forever? Will
you never forgiven
''I-forgive you! Oh, 1 was mad
madr' she murmured, lifting her wan
face.
But already his arms had encircled
her, and after one effort at release her
courage failed, and, weeping, she sank
upon his bosom, aware that at the
darkest hour the sun had again risen in
her life.
One of the prettiest and most con-
tented wives is Mrs. Sydney Ascot, also
one of the cleverest amateur actresses
| LII ucI ScC NoAc ID d1N dNS IedON W CdhC
a part, andgher husband is always inter
| ested in her success.
Once pleased spectator remarked
| that she was an actress lost to the
stage.
She gave a little laugh TO conceal a
shudder as she replied that ''shc had
no ambition that way, indeed. Oh,
/ dear, non. Y. Weekly.
A CLEVER COLLIE.