Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1901-04-04

| iuWu lTOuI Tile SulllUtlne. julie OteTn
was still. at the bottom Of the steps
Her hands were squeezed together
Donald was very young, but she had
never dared to speak more than half
i-dozen words to him before.
"Oh, Mr. Carter! You are wonder
'ul."
who is that? What do you say?''
Oh. it's little Julie Stern, is it? Cry
ng?'
He put his hand gently on her
ihoulder and marched her down the
'tage. towards the one feeble gas Jet
On the prompt side. Julie met his
searching glance without wavering.
you play Philippe. don't your"
isked Donald; then, before she could
" ,.ueo noA ipsq 'psa, :Gldsl
thinking OF what you are doing"
Il have only three lines" exclaimed
Julie.
Three lines!" repeated Donald.
Better actors than you or will ever
be have played smaller parts. What
10 you expect to do at fourteen
iOneril, or Lady Macbeth
jules gray eyes flashed.
There's Phillippe!" exclaimed Detl-
I'D. Come! No more tears! Now
let me try to make you understand
-FOUR three lines"
In the dim light-fUrgetful Of time
Ind place-with an earnestness that
'eemed to turn ten minutes into an
lour, Julie Stern rehesrsed Philippe
IN the empty stage and the happiness
If her life began.
The scene was changed. 1t was a
sayly decorated little room. and the
lir was heavy with the scent of flow
FRS.
1t was Julie Stern's own little room
1t the theater, adjoining the one
where she dressed.
Julie was sitting in big chair play
ng with the jewelled chain round ..er
leck and listening to the talk of three
men.
Time and success had changed the
emotional little Philippe into lovely
woman. She was playing Juliet at
last, but Donald Carter, as he leaned
against the wall by the window looked
It her with his old critical glance.
Beautiful. charmin', my dear Girl
simply charmin'!" said one of the
other men, an old actor, who knew
her well.
"Mercutio" heartily argeed but
Donald said nothing. Julie smiled, and
lifted her wondering, gray eyes slowly,
Is II 1t had been her very first comp
iment.
For five minutes her Juliet was the
only theme, then the next act was
called. "Mercutio' hurried away, the
ether actor took lengthy good-by,
Ind she was left alone wi her oldest
friend. Donald was about to leave
England for a long American tour,
and all he had was staked on its sue
less.
Julie rose and came towards him,
conscious of triumph and hungry for
praise.
well, Don. what do You say?'
"You are changed, dear juliet You
have done much; but are you quite
satisfied"
She glanced over her shoulder into
4 mirror that reflected her beautiful
face, and flashed a smile to the re-
lection of his.
yves"
Then can say nothing hui
charmin'. my dear girl, charmln'"
He held out his hand, but she drew
back
"You think | am ungrateful DOM
Il think you are spoilt-it's a pity
you are building up your own limita.
tons. Good-by, Julie, Failure never
hurt you but success Is more cruel
fire. Good-by.'
Julie, with sudden impulse OF
cruelty bent towards him.
Utter failure has evidently spoilt
you, Don. even YOU
Donald understood He had failed
utterly failed, to win her love, and
with a last 'good-by' he left her.
Up and down, up and down, with
step that faltered or quickened, ac.
cOrding to his troubled thoughts. Don
aid Carter paced up and down the
dreary room Of small hotel in a far
Western city Of America.
Julie Stern was in the town; he
heard her praises on every side. He
had been to see her play, but determin.
ed, and without any wavering from q
deep resolve, to keep her from the
knowledge Of his losses and disap.
pointment.
III have failed-what matters?
said Donald. throwing himself into Q
low chair in the dark gloomy room
Others succeed. II ] fall out the
ranks close up an the march goes on
There was a slight sound at the
other end Of the room and he lifted
his eyes. Silence. Then. suddenly
out OF the shadows-quickly, impulse
a.. M