The Philipsburg mail., 1899-10-06
ty on the desert OF pyi-

youth and beauty on the desert OF pyi-
vate life.
MY dear Miss Kingsley-I beg par
don, Mrs. Arnold have come in per-
son to urge the offer / made in my
letter"
But I answered your letter." she
replied, smiling, but with very de-
cided curve to the red lips. Il am
happily marred-my old ambitions
are dead"
The managers eyes turned in a swift
glance toward the Juliet photograph.
Her voice dropped suddenly.
II never had a home before; I lived
on the stage"
'Rest chld-actress we ever had"
promptly broke in the manager. Now.
listen to me- He pulled out his
watch. will you give me half an
hour" | want to show you what you
are throwing away.
Nature had endowed the manager
with gift of plausible eloquence
which had tided over many crisis in
his theatrical career; but never had
he sounded so plausible, so eloquent,
even to himself, as when he tried his
persuasive powers on the woman be-
fore him. When his half-hour was
ended ne felt that he had made good
use of it,
Don't think me inhospitable if I
I must ask you to say goodby," she said.
as she held out her hand. "You have
| spoken very persuasively, but I can
NOT answer you at once. I have dear
| friend-a very dear friend-whom I
must consult. Come tomorrow, and
| you shall have my answer"
When the manager walked into the
Office his face was glowing.
81 think you may cast Miss Kings
| ley for Lady Clare" he said.
The stage manager looked up in
credulously.
You don't mean to say she has con-
sented?"
| well, she's to talk it over with
friend. and I'm to go for her answer
tomorrow. But | rather think Colby,
that friend is going to decide in our
favor"
The manager still felt sure when he
went next day for his answer 1t was
not in human nature, he argued, to
refuse to sparkle as bright particu-
lar star in the leading production Of
the season. THAT woman isn't hui
man if she resists it, he murmured,
just as the tall, graceful figure he was
mentally posing before the newspaper
camera entered.
"Well?" he said.
Il have consulted my adviser and 1
am convinced that my original deci-
sion was best.
+. The manager groaned aloud.
"My dear Mrs. Arnold" he said, II
think, if | could see your friend and
talk to him, | could convince him that
you are making a mistake"
She shook her head.
His opinions are very positive"
you don't object to my calling on
him?"
She smiled.
Not at all. And he is very near
in fact, he happens just now to be in
tiit w III Sou toiiiC with AhS
The manager followed her, little
mystified.
She threw open door, and they en-
tered a large room flooded with sun
shine.
Here is my friend, Mr.. Hunt. He is
ready to hear all your arguments"
Tne manager lalrly gasped with as
tOnishment. He found himself stand
ing at little crib in which lay a fat,
round, rosy baby. growing to himself
in perfect content.
"The gentleman wants to talk to
you darling" she said, bending over,
with tender thrill in her voice new
to the man standing beside her, well
as he thought he knew it's every ac-
cent.
The baby's great bright eyes looked
up at them; then, as he saw his moth
ers face bending over him, he gurgled
ecstatically while the little face broke
into dimples of delight, the fat little
fists clutched eagerly at her. and the
bare, rosy little heels beat a trium-
phant tattoo in accompaniment to the
gurgles.
"Mam-mam-m MANI" he cooed, raptu-
rOusly.
She turned to the manager with
shining eyes.
Mr. Hunt, can you answer thai
argument"
By this time the manager had re-
covered himself.
My dear madam, this is hardly
fair" he began.
"By-by" said the baby.-Answers