The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1895-11-14


added 70 his interest and piqued his
vanity. He believed she had talent, and
it would be his proud privilege to help
her develop it.
These dramatic fellows are we'll gifted
with imagination, and Smithers was
young
Thus he wrote Of tho production good
piece which should be seen by all who
are interested in the vital questions Of
the day
He omitted to speak in terms Of
plaise of TIE performance Of the leading
woman, the ample blond, and this
piqued her. If Smithers honestly had
explained this omission TO himself, he
would have said that he was annoyed
because his seamstress, with her un-
doubted womanliness and talent, was
forced to play so inconsequential part,
while the leading lady, who might or
might not be qualified, had matters her
own way.
Others guessed that Miss Gilbert was
poor, lived in hall bedroom, had
bard time to get along, and that she
knew few men. She would be much
gratified to find that person of his
standing took an interest in her He re-
solved to call. The stage doorkeeper
gave him her address. Next day he went.
Ii was an uuusal proceeding, but Smith
ers argued that it would he less embar-
RAISING for him to see her at her home
than to send his card to her at the the
ater. Theatrical people are so jealous OF
each other. They would put base mo
tives upon his attentions.
Miss Gilbert was in. And she pleased
him. mgenuously she coufided to him
her enthusiasms, and he was charmed
His cali did not seem to surprise her,
but Smithers accounted for that by her
| inexperience,
| She had been in the city but com
paratively short time, had come from
great things. Her manner, half shy,
half scornful Of Smithers' sage cautions,
was delightful He learned of her ante.
cedents that they were modest country
folk who wished she would come home.
Smithers made the object of his visit
that Of telling her that he, an expert
enced critic, believed in her talent and
would be glad to do anything he coulC
for her. She asked him earnestly to cal
again. He solemnly promised to do so.
Smithers was not quite sure before
paying the visit, this the first, that h,
was not about to make an ass of himself
"What if she turns out to be silly o.
Bcheming creature like the others?"
He knew at glance when she enter
ed the parlor of the boarding house tina
he had made no mistake. She was goot
and sweet, talented and-yes, ant
pretty; very.
If he had missed something of savoi
faire in her manner; if he wished, tn
least in the world, that she had ques
toned his right to call upon her, becom
downright angry-not half so--at hi
daring, were he, Smithers, to advis
her, a stranger, he put such thought
from his mind as foolish. "She is
little crude, but she has the makings G
wife any man might be proud Of.
shall ask her to render me the happies
man in the world in about five weeks.
And so he probably would have don
had he not changed his mind and ha
not another woman come into his life
It was the leading lady, she who playe
the adventures i'll "The Fullness {
Life.
He previously had had an indefinit
prejudice against blonds and sedulousl
had avoided meeting such prominer
women on the stage as he knew his dr
ties would require him to estimate. II
had thought that to know them social
would prejudice his judgment of the
work.
But Eleanor Lane had sent for hin
She was a widow, shrewd woman an
really a good one. The idea that
woman must be an undesirable a.
quaintance because she has bushes
ability is false Miss Lane had brain
talent and beauty.
She explained to Mr.. Smithers whe
he called in answer to her invitatio
that she had always wanted to me,
him and particularly after his kind nj
tice Of the play in which she was I
the time appearing. Smithers had no
it will be remembered, mentioned Mi
Lane in his criticism. 1t was with seal
courtesy that he acknowledged her ron