Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1901-04-27

the last ct?-and her affirmative reply
she made in even less.
At the end OF the play he met her at
the stage entrance, and the two went
forth into the street together.
They were sitting alone in one of the
parlors of her hotel, she with her hat on
and her purse and two unmaied letters
in one hand. As they walked the few
blocks from the theater he had uncon-
sciously watched her every word and
act, and he found that her life on the
stage, instead of giving to her manner
isms and affectations, had developed her
simplicity. Yet it hardly seemed posi-
BILE TO him that the slender girl whom
he had known at Is had grown into a
woman of such splendid lines.
Her eyes fell upon the letters that lay
between the two sections of her purse.
"Oh, l see l forgot to drop these in a
box. / wrote them in my dressing room
this evening. | believe I'll let You mail
4t1eem, If you will. You see they are adj
dressed to two dramatic papers. | am
ordering the usual card inserted in each.
Miss Gertrude Maitland. at liberty
AT liberty is our delicate way of in
forming managers that we are out Of a
job
1T seems rather odd to find you an
actress; | did not even know you were
on the stage" he said. But what do
You expect? What are you going to
demand?''
''Nothng. I shall take the best that
is offered"
''Then you are not going to stand for
first lady or nothingE
She shook her head and smiled frank
ly--the same frank smile that had
charmed him in earlier days.
II have no expectation of being a lead
ing woman the coming season, or any
season, | hardly desire the position. 1t
isn't in me to fill it. Don't think | am
morbid I'm not. ! once had ambition
You know that-and would have done
very well had | had talent in proportion.
But am not an artist am just an arti-
san
.'But perhaps if you We're given big
opportunity you would find that you have
unsupported pOwerSF'
Again she shook her head. Il have had
chances good ones. No one could ask
for better. You see, | have n good face,
a good figure. | know how To wear
clothes. and l know how to carry myself
ON the stage Don't think | am enumer-
ating these to you as charms of person.
am not They are merely parts Of my
trade equipment. Managers saw them
and made chances for me. | did not fail.
and did not succeed. | was just medi-
0cre"
Somehow Bentley liked the perfectly
healthy manner in when She made ASti-
mate of herself. She was as simple and
as charming as Of old.
'Rut what If the futuref" he asked.
THE futura?" She looked dreamily
street. I'm - now-neither very young
nor hopelessly old. If there's anything
in one he shows promise of it at p, |
have not So since | am not going 10
rise | see my future clearly. At 40 |
shall have grown rather stout. shall
then have chaperon parts, and be the pro
sale and stately aunt. At 60 | shall he
the fine old gray haired lady of the stage;
somebody's mother or grandmother-the
hero'S or heroiue'S perhaps. After that
don't know. Possibly 20 will find me
still playing
the endE"
"If one loves his work | suppose ii
seems no hardship TO continue on 10 the
very end" He was still sounding her,
hut was giving rs much attention 10 her
face as 10 her words, AT the moment
he had recognized her ON the stage the
old tenderness that he thought he had
stihed had found new life and since had
been growing toward the iervor of seven
wears before.
.'But l have no burning. enthusiastic
love for my work she returned AT
least not since | learned that | am not
re0luS-utL even Il ltIcRu VI tdlNlt.
am Just working woman. | am not
stenographCr or a newspaper woman or
ANYTHING else for the reason that l can
make three or four times as much on the
stage"
Her face had become grave as she
talked. She now gave Bentley a frank,
womanly smile.
II must seem to You to have grown
into a soulleSS. unenthusiastic woman"
she said. But | am not don't think
| was intended for the stage.
NO. | don't think you were Bentley
agreed. with a meaning not in exact ac-
cordance with hers.
.'All the same. am on it, so don't for
ret 10 mail the letters, Allan"
1t thrilled him strangely To have her
call him Allan, as she had used TO do be-
fore. He rose and moved TO her side
The tenderness within him tried to force