The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-04-04

san FRANCISCO ana IN due time followed
the uncertain calling Of dramatic reader
in drawing-rooms. Circumstances natur-
ally turned her thoughts to the stage as
| field for action. and Frederick Warde
opened the way to q new career by max
| ing her understudy to his leading lady.
Naturally she accompanied the Warde
Company to New York, the mecca of
stage people, and there she became a
protege of Mrs Sarah Cowen lie Moyne
That was four years ago.
Then followed a melancholy struggle
against fate. In spite of the influence of
Mrs. LIE Moyne Miss knight spent most
OF the season in vain application at the
theatrical agencies for an engagement
In her extremity she bethought herself
of the opportunities offered artists mod
els. Tall, regal, straightforward and
with an attractive face, she felt herself
as well qualified as some others to pose
in the studios of New York painters, but
a round of the haunts of the men of
paints and brushes undeceived her.
How she managed to pay for her small
room in a dingy boarding house through
the winter is not clear. but after many
months of searching she secured an en-
gagement to tour New England with the
Kendan-Weston Company After months
OF weary one night stands she returned
10 New York, and then-oh, glory-she Sc
cured metropolitan engagement as an
understudy in Sothern's company. Even
then she must be content with quarters
IN mediocre ding-house-room and
meals at 81 a week
A year and half ago she fell a vic
tim to the tempta ton which comes to all
American actors. She went to London to
| Try her fortune. She was welcomed by
her old California schoolmates Maxine
and Gertrude Elliott who were able to
smooth the way for the compa triot.
MISS Knight was bright enough and
! pretty enough and American enough to
get into gay set with the aid of her
sponsors, and she found London very
pleasant socially, though it must be con-
| fesed that the arrival of the young lady
from Oregon created no whirlwind of no,
| toriety.
! 1t was while in the swim that she at
| tended little dinner" a the Cecil, made
| a misstep on the stairs, fell and hurt her
| spine. which resulted in her going 10 a
| hospital. While convalescing after leav-
ing the hospital she met the Duke of
Manchester.
Now, what can be more interesting than
a pretty American girl recovering from
an accident. and what wonder is 1t hat
the susceptible Duke when presented to
the belle of Baker City should surrender,
horse, foot and artillery?
| The very next day he bought boat and
named 1t Portia. So tender was his
sentiment that he became as faithful an
attendant of the fair American as a pet
dog. 1t was not long before they visited
| Oxford, where the Duke proved an as
siduous escort. But Miss knight had
not entirely recovered and the strain
| brought on a relapse.
She was an interesting invalid for
| weeks and the coroneted admirer never
wavered in his attentions. 1t is asserted
that during this period he reached the
sentimental stage of asking the young
lady to share his honors and his debts
The Duke has entered an emphatic de
NAL to that statement, but whether as
loyal lover or platonic friend it appears
that he proposed to back Miss knight as
a dramatic star. History does not ex-
plain whether he pawned ducal crown
or simply ground out few more Louis
to obtain the fund but it is said he went
so far as to engage a manager, secure
a play and decker for a London thea ter.
At this point there is an unexpected
turn in the plot that would delight the
| heart of any reasonable romancer. Dur
ing the week in which she was to make
her London debut Miss Knight vanished
from her lodgings. Why, do you inquire?
Ask the winds.
The Duke was disconsolate. He, en-
gagged detectives. He sought his lost
love high and low. She was finally found
in convent connected with the Brompton
Oratory where she was preparing to take
the veil.
The Duke is said to have written her
| repeatedly begging for an interview, but
she turned a deaf ear to his appeals. At
length, so the story goes he visited the
convent and virtually forced his way
into the presence of the adorable Portia
His personal plea prevailed. She consent>
ed to return to the world with him.
Miss knight says the Duke not only
promised to make her his wife but wen,
SO far as to arrange with Father Cor
don at the Brompton Oratory to marry
them. At any rate, the scheme to star
Miss Knight was abandoned, and she ex-
pains that the Duke persuaded her 20
abandon the stage permanently.
1t now became the part of the Duke TO
disappear and do the unexpected. His at
tent;ons to Miss Zimmerman Of Cincinnati
had already been remarked Then came
the report that he had followed her to
Paris and was hotly on the trail of her
fathers millions On hearing this Miss
Knight awoke to a realization Of the
strength Of her love for her noble sweet
heart and she followed him to Paris TO
pour the true state of her feelings into
his ears. but unkind fate once more
thwarted Der. She was unable to get
within hearing distance of the ducal ears.
or the Dukes wooing Of the Cincinnati
belle and their bridal tour in America the
public has already had full accounts. The
sequel came n few days ago. when an
unfeeling officer Of the law met the Duke
and his bride at the steamer landing OF
Liverpool and thrust into his hands the
legal documents notifying him that Miss
Knight had begun a suit for breach Of
promise. The Duke said a few emphatic
words that would not look we'll in print.
and added the conso'ing remark that as
ne had no money OF his own the only
thing for Miss Knight was Ito Join the
T-dhd Of hope" with his other creditors.
While waiting for the courts TO settle
the question OF verscity Miss knight is
understanding leading parts In Marie
Tempests company az the Prince OF
Wales Theater IN London.
| NIL Elirnhan the American scout