The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1895-12-14
MY OWN LOVE STORY.

nnu never Dccn called nm impression
able woman, and for weeks refused.to bo
candid with myself. think it was only
when I wont into tho shop and bought tho
mans photograph after tearing myself
away from tho window ut least q dozen
times that realized what IN idiot 1 had
become. Thon it was manifest. At thirty
odd years of age had fallen in lovo rs ro-
mantically, rs prcposterously as any girl
of II, for had fallen in love with IN actor
whom did not know.
have said that had never been called
an improssionable woman, but may say
morc-l had in my youth occasioned my
worthy mothor great trouble by my ''pc-
ouliar disposition" Dances woro nbhor-
rent to me, and, as to flirting, did not
know how to dot. No. mon did not at
tract mo n bit. Doubtless, too, L wenricd
them I asked nothing better than to be
. left alone with my pom.
Today had made myself just such q
life rs I Ind required. My books wero
successful; my house was pleasant one
and If l did not go into society q great
deal my circle Of friends contained num-
Der of clever and even celebrated people.
We'll, went one night to the Diadcm
theater. 1t was tho first time had seen
Brudenell 10 interested mo immensely.
His quiet voice, his carncstness held me
from tho beginning, and after the big
scene came and his passionate outburst
came with it told myself he was the first
actor on the stage.
1 do not suppose If l had been doing
dramatic criticism for u paper that my en-
thuaiasm would have carried mo to tho
length Of recording such an extravaganza
rs that, but one often feels things which
ono lacks courage to write, and before tho
expiration of Il week found myself among
tho audience ut tho Diadom thcatcr again.
L was affected as powerfully rs before
He appealed To mo intellectually and emo
tionally. L liked the piece and liked his
performance. In u word, l took seats Mt
the Diadem more times than caro- or than
/ am nblo to count
OF tho development of my feelings into
ridiculous proportions 1 havo spoken al
ready. stopped TO look Mt tho shop win
dow every morning for u fortnight, and mt
last, thoroughly wcaricd of fleeing u temp
tntion which l knew would rccur next
day, went in and asked for his likeness.
The man brought mo number, but
chose tho one had intcndcd-a profile.
Ho wanted mo to have another as WELL rs
surfing mo that this sold largely among
young ladies'" / said, Really" us In
differently as could manage being very
ashamed of myself, and was so disgustcd
Mt my weakness that / did not take nv
purchase out of tho envelope till evening
Then put 1t OH my study table where
could SEQ 1t whilo 1 wrote. ] Thought
how characteristic n faco it was, how much
1t snid. 1 accepted several invitations I
should otherwise have refused because I
gathered it was possible that tho popular
actor manager would DO present, and L
wished, more fcrvontly than had wished
for anything before, that were play
wright instead of n novelist; that might
have the felicity of hearing my lines inter.
prctcd by him.
Ono Sunday wo met. Tho hostess in
troduccd him to me, ."Mr. Brudcncll
Miss Clecvc- George Dillingham;, YOU
KNOW" and wondered if he had read nv
books.
lilo did not say that ho had, but no was
very nice, speaking in tho low, grave tones
i'll which ho uttered his commonplaces on
the stage.
l congratulated him on tho success ho
was making, and ho thanked me- Ho said
how difficult 1t was to get hold of good
pieces. foant. ho was to take mo down
to dinner Gnd cxcrtcd myself to talk as
we'll rs / was able. Over tho entrees
made him iaugh, and l turn hot when
remember the delight this triumph"
gavo mo.
Tho thcatcr formed tho principal topic
of our conversation, and L referred to tho
admirable support given to him by his
leading lady.
You must find her an enormous help
IN your great scene. said. "Shc PLAYS
up to you splcndidly."
Ho shrugged his shoulders.
1T is easy business" ho answered.
Tho part really plays itself"
WAS surprised, for it appeared to mo
that 1t would bo singularly ineffective in
weaker hands
"Shc Isl II favoritc with tho public, and
In thcatcr like mino ono Is Obliged to
have well known names" he at.dcd, but