Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1899-10-21
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HEB FRIEND SAID no.

down upon the table, tllted nus cnatf,
thrust his hat a little further back
On his head, and gave two or three
satisfied Pufis at his cigar.
We've got a winner there, Colby,
he announced oec-s.,ey.
The stage uaaEager took up the
manuscript and looked over the list
of characters
Looks like tiff you get the right
people," he assented; but it calls Tor
a strong company"
'sOh, l won't spare eEpeDsei / am
going to give il production that VIII
make it the talk of London. It's splen-
didly advertised already. you kaowI
The people are crazy over Crinton's
work, ard this is the best thing he's
done. SuPposirg we could get the
people, how could we cast 1t?
Beverly, of course, for Lord Roth
say, Norris for the tseayy, Z lerton fer
young Hal, Barry for Sir Jerry, Ben
ton for the low comedy, Mrs. Frisby
for the dowageT, Cartridge for the
ear1-he's the best old man on the
stage. AS for the adveIturess, went
on the stage manager, checking off
each name rapidly he spoke, Lady
what's her name?-l don't know a
woman who could be at Wallace in that
role. She'd be great Little Deltabcy
would make a good Kitty DAD ng-the
part suits her down to the ground
The manager took his cigar from his
mouth, and gazed at it meditatively-
Don't let such trifie as the salary
list bother you" he commented
briefly.
Colby stopped his checking to look
keenly at his chief you've got to
have the best he answered. ii know
they're all high-priced, but it will pay
you to engage them"
''How about Lady Clare?' asked the
manager. you've mentioned nobody
for that, and it's the star role of the
piece"
Il don't know. I've been running
that ever since 1 read the play, and
nobody I've thought Of seems to equal
it. There's Maud Lester-she'd look
the part to- perfection, and she's SYM
pathetic, but she hasn't the power.
Helen Dracy's got power and looks in
te1ligence, but she hasn't the power.
Can you suggest anybody? The sue
cess of the piece depends on Lady
Clare
Il know of only one woman who
can play it as should be played, and
has the looks to go with it, said
.he manager. That's Edith Kings
ley"
The stage manager shrugged his
shoulders.
''Her declination was very decided
he remarked.
''I've known women to change their
minds occasionally" said the MAN.
ager, with fiPpant sarcasm.
but she said her retirement was
fnal-that she would never act
again."
The manager bestowed a look of
pity on his subordinate.
Kingsley had the world at her feet
when she married and retired two
years ago. She's had time to think it
over, MY boy; the novelty of private
bliss must have worn off somewhat by
this time
Colby gave another look at the man
uscript.
''If you can get her it's a success,
ne said.
He had too much on his mind to
enter into the ethics or the philosophy
of a woman's change OF mind.
The manager gave another self-sat-
isfed puff at his cigar.
LII see Kingsley today" he said.
Two hours later he was us1.ered into
the pretty drawing room of a house
in fashionable quarter of the city.
With his practiced eye he took in the
handsome surroundings, while he
carried his card to iFSr mistress
''She's got all the money size wants.
thought the manager; but money
isn't everything to an ambitious wo-
man.
Something on a table near by at
tracted his attention. He went to it
and took up large tinted photograph
of a beautiful, grave eyed girl in
Juliet's bridal robes.
H mi" he chuckIed. 'She hasn't
forgotten her old triumphs.''
He put down the picture the mis-
tress of the house entered the room
and greeted him with outstretched
hand.
How glad 1 am to see you, Mr..
Hunt-if this is social visit
With keen, professional eye to eff
feet he looked on the beautiful woman
before him-on the queenly pose of
the stately figure, on the deep set,
flashing dark eyes, with their long
lashes and perfectly curved b=oyvs; ON
the straight. Patrician nose, with its
thin, delicate nostrils; on the small
red mouth, with its short upper lip
and its Cupid's bow; the white.
resolute chin, cleft with deep dim
pie; on the delicately clear cheek, with
its faint rose flush; on the soft wave
in the masses of yelvety black hair;
and the managerial heart within him
rose in revolt against this waste of
youth and beauty on the desert of pri-
vate life.
My dear Miss KingsIey-I beg par
don, Mrs Arnold have come in per-
son to urge the offer | made in my