The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1901-12-11
NOT I'm THE
EN'TER VIEW

skMlSS tbfougntOnWa waited. Through
the sstage door, opening and shut
ting every other minute, could be
heard the swish and patter of heavy
rain; on the pavement outside and.
cold little gusts of,wind swept in.
Miss Bronghton read all the brief
notices pinned on the call boerd,
end, with the impatient weariness
Of one who is accustomed to wait
the convenience. Of other people, she
leaned against the wall in apparent
indifference to the passing Of time.
In spite Of an her self assurance
Alice Broughton had earned her
own living for ten years, and five of
those as 9 Journalist she tre.nh!ca
at the thought of short interview
with ] awrence Bright. What would
he say2 Would The tins and the
place drift away from him, as it did
even now from her?
She heard the orchestra burst in
to a triumphal march, the play
was over, and in q few seconds the
inner door was opeded and young
cavalier, with his great plumed hat
dangling from his hand, looked out.
There was no flash of recognition
as Miss Broughton stepped toward
him. he was frankly apologetic
and unconscious.
$50 sorry to keep you waiting till
the end Of the matinee" Lawrence
began, "and. even now I hardly
know where to ask you-it was
awfully good Of yoY to come, Miss
Broughtoh-you'ii ind me a very
poor subject. Where could we
talk?"
Lawrence turned his eyes, search
ingly for the first time on the face
of the lady journalist.
els it possible, Alice? What does
it all mean? Why didn't you send
in your name? Come, you're not
q real live interviewer, are you?
Gas for my name, Lal," she an
swered, "don't you remember that I
told you when we first met that tSil-
verthorpe' was only assumed?"
''Then you've quite given up the
stage?'
ssNo;.it gave me up several years
agop'
"What about dreams of fame,
courage, endurance? Have you for
gotten how you used to lecture me
in New York? I'm disappointed!
Alice, will you wait ten minutes
while / change? I won't be a sec
ond longer!"
With a boyish laugh and a back
ward look Of mingled tenderness
and mockery he sped away, and
Alice Broughton pushed the stage
door open and looked out into the
dreary street. The sound of his
voice, the expression of his face
SO gloomy and hopeless when she
saw it last-filled her with Joy. ALI
the events Of seven years swiftly
fitted through her mind. Alice
had been q girl Of twenty-three at
the time when she met Lawrence
Bright in New. York. She was
playing a small part in an English
company, and he was stranded"
Lonely and alone in q great city
Lawrence was drifting rapidly down
the stream when the determined
girl had saved him with friend
ship most unusual and magnan;-
nous. Without beauty or any
charm she had won the entire con-
fdence Of a young, moody, impress
!, sionable man.
Returning Lawrence asked her to
dine with him and called O cab.
II can't take you to my place."
he said. I've only just moved into
a new fiat, and this afternoon is
such o chapter ont Of my past life
that / can't benr to share it-or
+ youwith anybody else"
Dear Lal, you must tell me
everything for the interview in our
last five minutes. When did the
great opportunity come? I knew
jJfoG would be ready ut the right
minutel Do yon 1,emember when I
I first told you so ?9'' Il sg
Yes. was in despair, and You
you were in blue muslin. Have
you given up blue muslin? I've
given up despair is'
The foolish words Jared on
Alice, Ent she inst;nctively adapted
l1ersel ITO his present mood. They
talked about New York. the the
aters, the actors, the streets, till the
/ lights of the Strand seemed as
bright as the glitter Of Broadway, !,
and the Thames was spanned III
their Imagination by the chain Of i
stars that outline Bro oolklyn bridge.
The little dinner party Of two
was q great success. AS they look
ed at each other in the glitter OF +
bright lights Lawrence noticed for