Santa Fe daily New Mexican., 1894-10-22

She laughed again. 1t seemed absurd
that they should doubt her powers after
all Herr Ledger had said, and that they
should wish her to settle down to tedious,
humdrum life when the broad world, with
all it's bright prospects, was before her.
''What is there for me to do here?" she
asked, with slight frown.
You know what there is to do, )" he re-
piled, drawing near and taking her hand.
"Oh, Mary, give up this wild idea of 60
ing upon the stage and come to 1ne!'
II cannot, Charles. l could not now,
even if it were my wish for have already
signed the contract.
"If--if you should not get on, you'll re-
turn to usS' suggested the young man
timidly.
''And live on my aunt's charity"
Nonsense! Your aunt loves you as her
own daughter and p
He stopped short and gazed across the
field. There was choking sensation in
his throat which checked the words. Mary
Wards face grew a trife hard, and there
was an unnatural ring in her voice as she
replied:
II shall succeed. hate this tiresome
place and everything in it, will never
return to Brockway.'
'Then have no hope" in broken
voice. But you'll write-you'll let me
be friends'
'Oh, yes, Of course, but you must go
now. Here comes the manager.
Time went by Letters came often from
Mary-gay, triumphant letters She was
doing famously. She had lovely gowns.
She liked her work. She was not over
worked-oh, dear no! And last night she
had received so many flowers, had been
wildly applauded and had been recalled
time after time, And she signed her name
"Marie Warde."
The lovers heart sank when he read
these lively epistles, for in them he saw
the death Of all his hopes, and soon even
the comfort of his darling's friendly words
was denied him, for the letters became
shorter and shorter and finally ceased al
together
'Can it be that anything has happened
to herr" asked her aunt one evening.
He shook his head.
'No Mary would succeed anywhere,
he said. ''She never cared much for us,
and she has forgotten
But the woman's words rang in his ears
for weeks. Could anything have happened
to Mary-his MaryS And one day, unable
to bear it any longer, he boarded the train
bound for the city. He would search fof
her, he would look upon her face again at
least, and if he found her happy and pros
pering he would leave her and be content
1t was half past o'clock at tho Grand
theater-a dingy little building frequented
by third class players.
On the stage the comedian and the vii
lain were putting up a shingle hut, and
the saucy soubrette sat upon the fool
whistling lively air and adding pert
suggestion now and then.
In the wing, on the threadbare cushion!
of a scttee the heavy woman lay asleep
She was frail little thing, with darl
ent complexion.
where's Mario?" inquired the mana
ger, with much concern, as he entered.
Asleep replied the soubrette, point
ing to the place where the heavy woman
lay.
Don't disturb her till the last min
ute," said the manager. ''She'll probably
bo ablo to crawl through her part-tonight
at least
The villain and soubrette exchanged
alarmed glances as the manager turned
away.
The play was over. All was hustle and
preparation, for this was the last night al
the Grand and all the company property
was to be removed.
Against pile Of scenery near the doo1
leaned the heavy woman. She had playe(
badly She was sick in mind and in body
She was trying to muster strength to Ct
home.
Then the manager appeared. His fact
was much troubled.
Marie" he said, "I'm awfully sorry
but you saw how the house took YOU
work tonight 1t won't do. You are moi
fit for the STAGE and you never were. I've
engaged another woman in your place.
He was gone. The heavy woman staret
after him for a moment, then staggered
to the door.
1T is no more than have been expect
ing these months, she muttered as sh'
feebly descended the stair.
Suddenly her strength gave way, ant
she would have fallen had not II strong
arm caught her.
"Mary, dear Mary" murmured ia
miliar voice IN her car.
A bright smile lit up the face of tn
fainting woman. 1t was a smile Of rec
ognition and welcome
'Charles, dear Charles!" the white lip
answered, and with thrill Of joy TIN
faithful lover clasped her close to his gla'
heart. New York Press.