The morning call., 1892-08-09

ask you TO release me- wethink differently
on some points mat feel should never ne
happy as man and wife. The fault would be
mine-I own H. l am conscious OF histriopic
talents within me- which would be endless
misery aud regret did suppress Them / cam
not suppress them. snow you are of a differ
ent opinion. One day you may have TO acknowI-
edge that my friends OF last night were right aud
you were wrong In PLAIN words / am going on
the stage. and L mean TO be-if not an Ada
RehaD, at least success. Therel-lt must rest
With yoI how we meet In the future; for / love
you. and shall never love another well. II ever
sgaiu Yours s1ecIionately. GERALDINE.
lis II to be, l wonder. sdieu or al reyor?"
81 will find her," cried poor Sydney.
"Heayen help her-she knows not what she
has done. Ignorant. trustful. ambitious, she
will become the dups of every theatrical
agent. every imp0stor, II not worse. How.
TOO, will she livef She has no money
Yes. she has." put in Miss Frobshsre.
"Her savings-bOok has gone. She has over
$1,000 there-she'll draw ii all out"
ut will be enough for her to live on. thank
God, until / find herI" calculated Sydney.
until We can persuade her TO communicate
with US"
But such result did not arrive. No no.
nce was taken OF the advertisements he put
In the papers nearly every day, implorins
her 10 mysterious sentences to mako her
whereabouts known-assuring her that all
would write.
Perhaps she has succeeded: she really
had talent, remarked Miss Frobshere. com
passlonallng the suffering OF her once pros
pective nephew. Perhaps shs has secuted
an engagement and gone on the road"
Sydney shook his head.
IF she has she has paid her $1,000 for It,"
be replied; land even then l think she
would be so delighted that In triumph she
would write TO let us know"
1t was no good studying the columns OF
the dramatic papers TO see II her aunts for
lorn hope was correct. for OF course Gerald
Inc bad changed her name. How was he to
find her? Oh. IL he could She might go
on the stsge-she might DO anything II she
would only let him vain over and protect
her as a husb:hd. But six months passed
away "33 there was no word-no sign OF
Gs.sldine
What might be happening 10 herr What
pViyations. what suffering might she not be
enduring? he knew she would endure
much before her pride would let her
scqualnt them with it.
Sydney Ascot during these months was
never at rest Night aud Cay, when lie
knew rehearsals were on, he haunted the
stage doors of various theaters. He took
upon himself the role OF actor, and was con-
stantly 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.
Il must give up. She must be travel
ing," he thought, dejsctsdly, as he sat one
morning at breakfast. Il can't search all
through the country"
He was scanning the advertisements as
usual. when his eve lighted on this:
To ladies and gentlemen with nistrionlo talent.
RossmOTe, No. -. NInety.seveuth street, New
York City, between 3 and p. NJ.
''Irs last chance. I'll try" decided
Sydney.
At The was at the house, when he was
shown into a rather large, dingy room, with
dark merino curtains over recess window.
The walls were literally plsstered with the
photos Of actors and actresses or the day.
Theatrical papers were scattered on the
table and floor.
Several applicants Of both sexes were
already there. Not the form be sought, and
SydneY, having tipped the small boy who
acted as usher to summon him last stepped
into the deep shadow OF the curtains, sat
down and waited.
Knock. knock in they came, dupe after
dupe, with hope or ambition or hopeless
despair beating at each heart.
But 10 Geraldinel
1t was drawing near o'clock. Only one
applicant was now waiting beside himself
q young. showily dressed. much made up
young grl-when the door opened and-she.
Geraldine. entered.
At lastl Sydney caught his breath, his
brain whirled, he felt suffocaiing. then he
recovered and looked at her. Oh, heaven,
what a changel 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
Got no chance yet my dear. eh?"
''No," replied Geraldine listIessly, sitting
down. I've come here to try, but it's tbs
old thing, Of eourss-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 starva-
tior. Then In time you may be intrusted
with line or two ID speak"
sydney saw tue hot blood leap to his dar-
lin .s, cheek !, ~,
frstp'
That's just what fear you will do. nv
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 a moan.
IF this fails me-" she almost sobbed.
what shall / do2-oh. what shall do?"
Return TO me, to your right home in my
heart. my darling, my love. On, heaven is
merclful to me, for at last have found you,
Geraldinel"
BE had advanced. His arms were az
tended; bis countenance convulsed with
emotion.
Geraldine had sprung up. then rscoied.
Sydney Your she calculated. Then.
NO. no! never can retuTn-neverw and
she bowed her face In humiliation, In
shame, upon her hands.
Geraldine. from the hour you dIsap-
peared. have been seeking you" he said.
My love has increased at every failure.
VIII you not give me some recompense for
my devotion? VIII you, indeed, ruin nv
life forever? VIII you never forever"
'I-forgive you'll Oh, | was mad-mad."
she nlurmured, lifting her wan face.
But already his arms had encircled her.
and after one effort at release, her courage
failed. aud 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 contentad
wives Is Mrs. Sydney Ascot, also one of The
cleYerest amateur actresses In her set She
ls always ready to take a part, and her hus-
band is always interested in her success
Once pleased spectator remarked that
sne was an actress lost to tbs stage.
She gave little laugh to conceal a shud-
der, as she replied, that "she had no alnhi-
ton that way, indeed. Oh. dear no."
"
WELDED A BRICK.