New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-08-12
A DAUGHTER OF THESPIS
BY JOHN D. BARRY.
tcspuripAt: IsoI; By The Tribune Amociasion)
CHAPTER l..

tiously that when she got tired or being an ac-
tress she might take his place as book reviewer
for The Argus" Then he thanked her Tor the
trouble she had taken with 1t; he quite agreed
with several of her criticisms. and he would alter
that scene in the fourth chapter between husband
and wife; but he really die think that man OF
Weston's sort-the searching. argumentative
philosophical type-woud. unconsciousy perhaps.
but he certainly would try to break down faith
which he believed to be irrational and which was
always confronting him; he would forget how
much II meant to his wife: in his enthusiasm for
what he believed TO be the truth and his love OF
correct reasoning, he would forget to be tolerant.
he would sacrifice anything. even the happiness
OF the woman he loved AS for the morbidness
of the story. Webb was afraid he couldn't help
that: perhaps it was the reflex of his own dark
mind" He quite agreed with Miss Johnson 'hal
the morbid in literature was dangerous; pu''
after all, ought not all writer's 10 be allowed 10
work out their conceptions in their own
way? He sometimes ielt that at any cost the
cathocity of literature ought to be preserved AS
she read, Evelyn felt that the argument was
getting beyond her depth: it was absurd for her
to rush into these literary discussions; however,
Oswald Webbs reply 10 her effervescent enusion
had made her Danish the regret II had caused
her: he was going on with the work-that was
enough.
During the month of November the audiences
at Deception" grew Unexpectedly large. Many
theatre parties were formed and the boxes were
always crowded. The actors were in gay spirits
and predicted tina, the play would run through
the season Several Of them. among them Miss
Gordon herself took deep interest In the
"swagger people, who were discerned every
night in front They would gather at the side OF
the curtain and at the peep-holes and scan the
audience Helen Gordon. who was an authority
ON New-York society-most Of her knowledge had
been acquired through years of devotion TO The
Social Swim"-was usually the one who dscov-
cred and pointed out the celebrities. There's
Mrs Willie Van Cleef," she would cry. See?
In the upper right-hand box-the second box.
mean That man with her used TO be her brother
in-law. She's divorced now, and they say he's
become infatuated with her. She always wears
something red; it gives her color; see what a
pale complexion she has. And there-right behind
her-those two girls and the old woman. Isn't
she fright? They're the John E. Farnsworths;
they're grain people. They've been trying to get
into society for years, but they can't. They say
she's got an awful tongue. Don't the girls look
lonesome? They don't know soul. And see
look therein the lower right-hand box-the
Jimmy Bakers. That's Jimmy himself. there In
the back with the Dig ndnuS anu white SioNes'
Doesn't he look like figure at the Eden Musee?
He's always that way; his smile looks as II IT
was made Of wax That's his wife-the dazzling
one in front with the French bonnet. How she
does wear her age. Just see the way she's laced,
I don't see how she breathe. She has a
Frenchwoman come every morning TO make up
her face That's wig she has on. Isn't 1t
lovely? The Frenchwoman dresses 1t for her
They say 1t cost $1,000. Think Of that! Made ex-
pressly, Of course, in Paris
After such discussions as this Miss Gordon
would sweep on the stage and act superb!y. TO
Evelyn IL was a perpetual wonder how she could
do IT, She often stood in the wings trying Valniy
to catch the secret Of the actresses power ii was
q power that never lost its sincerity. that never
failed to move. On Of these occasions, Just
after making exit Miss Gordon exclaimed:
"Oh I've some news fer you. dear. My divorce
Is going to be granted next week" Then, when
Evelyn had offered congratulations, she went on:
yes Judge Cowdrey says he's sure It'll be all
right shall be free again." she cried. throwing
up her arms and stalking down the corridor,
free free"'
Next morning Evelyn had letter from her
aunt-one Of the rare communications that came
TO her from the Columbus-ave. boarding house
Like all the others. II was full OF lamentations.
F,yerythng was going to rack and ruin; two OF
her boarders were out of employment and could
not pay; the landlord had refused to make any
repairs and water-pipe had burst and Hooded
the parlor ceiling In addition TO all these miser-
les her health had been bad for weeks and
weeks and she expecting any day a Dig Dill
from the doctor The inevitable request for money
was inserted In a postscript OF three pages
chiefly historical. Evelyn at once sent 20 ana a
letter of sympathy. The news of the illness did
not worry her, however: she had heard IT many
times before Three days later. however. she was
startled to receive letter from Mrs. Cosgrove. a
male diluted hanger-on at the boarding mouse,
saying that her aunt was very Ill. she thought
A. was her duty to inform Evelyn but, OF course.
EVELYN would know whether II was best Tor ner
10 come on or not. Evelyn spoke to Saunderson'
and he declared emphatically that he could not
let her go; Miss Tsdale. her understudy, was Ut
terly incompetent; she would spoil the perform
ance NJ,
EVELYN received the Geographic announcement
inst as she was starting out for the theatre IL
made her feel cold and numb. She did not shed
a tear and she played her part as usual; but thal
night she unable 10 sleep for hours. she Jay
IN bed with wide-opened eyes. thinking OF her lie
with her aunt. Finally she burst into sobs. not OF
grief but of regret; everything might nave Deen
SO different The tears sOOthed her; but IN nef
dreams she saw Aunt Jane again. thin. herce
complaining making the usual demand Tor
money and aspersing the memory OF her mother
She woke shuddering. and she wondered why her
aunt's death had not softened her heart
She had telegraphed that II the funeral was
held on Sunday she should be able TO attend
Mrs. Cosgrove she knew, would be glad 10 ar
range everything She had intense fondness
for busying herself with other peoples affairs
1t was she who wired back that the funera
would take place Sunday afternoon. SC
Evelyn decided to take the train after the Satur-
day evening performance at midnight
lust after the second act she met Clarke Ewing
in the wings as she was leaving the stage. lie
looked pale in the dim light. and the expression
of his face was very serious. She wondered II he
was ILL., But when he told her that he had beer
sorry to hear Of her aunt's death. she realized
that his looks were only harmonized with the
mood In which he had thought At to address her
IT only heard Of II this evening"" he said. "wher
dropped in Saunde-3on to ask about the
weeks receipts. He seemed to feel sorry that he
hadn't been able to let you on"
did he say SOP Evelyn asked In surprise
Saunderson she knew only from his Icy exterior
Among actors he was supposed to be absolutely
without heart
Eyes. and he praised you on your pluck ir
going on with your work He said 1t was RELIEF
10 have some one like you In the company.
'Thank you for telling me that" said Evelyn
with a half hysterica laugh that she couldn'
alxoor MI hoff Of