Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1893-05-03

| All tnls, noWeNcr, ds htlu, was at the
start.
To be the heroine of romance is one
thing, the heroine of realistic novel
quite another.
I'm beginning TO suspect the truth
of all these hOrrid stories of baflled genius
struggling against adverse fate" she
wrote near the close of the third week
to the man who wished to marry her.
Managers all seemed in league against
her-all save one, who, from the begin
ming, had treated her with unaccounta-
BILE forbearance. He had even sent her
tickets for new play. There was u
boubrette part in it that was badly done,
lac said. The author was friend of hiG
And-well, he couldn't promise anything,
but he'd like her to see the part.
The soubrette was bSd-worse even
than Mellicent had hoped; weak, COM
mon, self conscious.
"If such people can obtain engage
ments, then why not II she said the
next morning in reporting the play.
1 I'm not a raw amateur; / studied for
two years with a well known actor and
stage manager. I've played over and
over again at, students matinees and
later in professional performances in
small towns. It's only chance want,
o chance to speak a dozen lines, that's
all, but they won't give me even hear
ing"
Mellicent's cheek burned. She shook
| the brown locks from her moist fore
head and eyed the agent aggressively.
He shook his head deprecatingly. He
was slim and blond and boyish, with n
droll, captivating accent that heightened
the effect of his dry utterances.
"I'll tell you what it is" the man said.
| "Tll see Boyle at luncheon today and
put your case TO him. If he reports IA
vorably, I'll let you know this afternoon.
Don't hope too much though. If you
don't hear from me by 8 at the latest,
you'll know there's nothing to expect
from that quarter"
Mellicent grasped his hand in parting
almost affectionately.
"It's chance" she whispered as she
climbed the stairs at the east side board
ing house. "If get it, why, I'm bound
to succeed. If lose it, The girls
heart sank.
Go home? The worn face of her fa-
ther, the shabby gowns and meager faces
of her mother and little sisters, were a
constant reproach of her idleness. Writei
A years devotion to literature had bare
ly supplied her with pocket handker-
chiefs. Clerk? Her handwriting was
bad, her accounts inaccurate. No; tights
-or suicide-or matrimonyl These were
the only alternatives.
! At the maid brought a card to the
door. "John Walker" Mellicent read
incredulously.
In the parlor below a tall figure rose
to meet her.
"Look here, Milly," the man said de-
cisively. 1--WE come to take you back
with me tonight. You might as well
marry me now as any time. You'll only
waste time fooling round here"
Milly regarded the speaker hopelessly.
1t was as though the walls of destiny
were closing in upon her.
81 can't, john" she protested, "I-I
never promised, and you have no IL
| cense."
"But there's no need Of a license
here" he returned, ignoring the other
clause of the girls objection. There's
an old friend of mine, Methodist min
lister, only block away, who's all ready.
Why, Milly, it's the easiest thing in the
world if only you make up your mind to
it, Well get supper at the Metropolis
and take the next train back to Boston.
| must be at the Office tomorrow"
| Mellicent shook her head
| II can't decide all at once, john" she
entreated. II must have time to think y
| She glanced at the black marble clock
on the mantel. Half past 4. In half an
hour her future would be decided for
her. 1t was almost relief TO shift the
responsibility from her own shoulders.
| The man consented grudgingly. RE
member" he said gravely, watching her
brown, piquant profile outlined against
the white window curtain, remember,
| if you marry me you must give up all
those notions about acting won't have
my wife set up for everybody to stare
at" His words were harsh, but his eyes
| were affectionate.
Mellicent nodded. Il understand" ;" she
| returned; IF l give up now, it will be
for always"
III put on my hat" she added. 1--WE
might as well go now and have it over"
II couldn't help myself" she thought
wearily as she followed him into the
street. "They wouldn't give me a chance;
there was no way but this"
When she returned, there was plain
gold ring upon her left hand.
Mellicent eyed it incredulously all the
time she was packing her trunk. The
notice books, the character photographs,
the list of agencies and the letter of in
PRODUCTION she laid in the wastebasket.
| AS she crossed to the door her dress
brushed a yellow envelope from the table:
DEAR Miss DwIGHr-I missed Boyle at lunch
| con. but waylad him at the hotel this after
noon and extracted his promise 10 give you q
| trial. Win let you know about rehearsals later.
| Lucky, wasn't II, that the chance came before
| you left New York? Sincerely,
EDWARD Robbins.
At the foot of the stairs John Walker
drew his wife's arm affectionately with
in his own. whats the matter, Melli-
cent? he said gravely, "you look as
though you'd seen ghost"
"Only the ghost Of a comedy actress
that never was to be-" said Mellicent
steadily. "You must be hungry, John.
Will there be time TO have n steak cooked