Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-09-07
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EER FRIEND SAID no.

|
satisfied putis at his cigar.
We've got a winner there, Colby"
he announced decisively.
The stage manager took up the
manuscript and looked over the list
of characters.
Looks like tiff you get the right
people, he cssented; but it calls for
a strong company"
oh. | won't spare expense! | am
| going to give it production that will
make it the talk of London. It's splen-
didly advertised already, you know!
The people are crazy over Crinton's
work, and this is the best thing he's
done. Surprising we could get the
people, how could we cast it?
Beverly, of course, for Lord Roth
| say, Norris for the heavy, E'lerton for
young Hal, Barry for Sir Jerry, Ben
| ton for the low comedy, Mrs. Frisby
for the dowager, Cartridge for the
earl-he's the best old man on the
stage. As for the adventuress,' went
on the stage manager, checking off
each name rapidly as he spoke, Lady
what's her name?-l don't know a
woman who could beat Wallace in that
role. She'd be great Little Dellaboy
would make good Kitty Darling-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 a triAe 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. 81 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"
II don't know. I've been running
that ever since l read the play, and
nobody I've thought of seems to equal
it. There's Maud Lester-she'd look
tine part to perfection, and she's SYM
pathetic, but she hasn't the power.
Helen Dracy's got power and looks in-
telligence, but she hasn't the power.
Can you suggest anybody? The sue
cess of the piece depends on Lady
Clare"
II know of only one woman who
can play it as should be played, and
has the looks to go with it." said
me manager. That's Edith Kings
ley"
The stage manager shrugged his
shoulders.
Her declination was very decided"
he remarked.
"Ive 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 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.
lie had too much on his mind to
enter into the ethics or the philosophy
of womans change of mind.
The manager gave another self-sat-
isfed puff at his cigar
"lll see Kingsley today" he said.
Two hours later he was usnered into
the pretty drawing room of house
in fashionable quarter of the city.
With his praeticed eye he took in the
handsome surroundings, while he
carried his card 70 her mistress.
She's got all the money she 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 beautiful, grave eyed girl in
Juliet's bridal robes.
"H'm!" he chuckled. "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 outstretchSd
hand.
"How glad / am to see you, Mr..
Hunt-if this is a 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 brows; 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; on the white,
resolute chin, cleft with deep dim
Pile; 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-
vatc life.
my dear Miss Kingsley beg par
don, Mrs. Arnold have come in per-
son to urge the offer ] made in my
letter"
But answered your letter. she
replied, smiling, but with a very de-
cided curve of the red lips. 81 am hap
PLY married--my old ambitions are
dead"
7 The managers eyes turned in a