The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-10-29
A BIT OF THEATRICAL REALISM


has been more or less gratified TO shine
a. Ann Arbor and The ultimate glory OF
her ambition had not reached further than
Detroit, but her Uncle George. who lived
l.. Brooklyn, and knew things had
shown her somewhat of the splendors OF
Broadway by day and by night. and deep
iii her heart was forming a determined
but yet vague resolve that she would
never again return 70 the wilderness"
That first matinee at the metropolitan
had something to do with this determin-
alton Miss Adrienne began 10 recou her
successes at home in private theat-
ricals, and in the evening when she re-
tired 10 her little room in auntie's house
she caught herself repeating some of the
fine passa ges from Shakespeare. If she
had confided in anyone she might have
been told in time that she was getting
stagse- struck but she kept her own coun-
Sc and went back 10 another matinee at
the Metropolitan He had only a minor
part in the play, but il wasn't what he
said nor what he did that impressed Miss
Trimble. 1t was the innate nobility OF
His nien, the patrician elegance OF his
personality, the penetrating tenderness
OF his voice. the kingly manner in which
he said and did everything.
When she wrote home to ask permission
for an extra month" in New York she
asking papa for an extra fifty. limiting
cautiously that she had "a few plans
that she was sure he would approve when
he knew the results" When she got the
money she went TO the matinee again,
and when he came upon the stage in the
first act ne was wearing the pink rose,
the single, splendid bloom she had sent
10 him. OF course her card-just her
name-had gone with it, and now he
-,
nlred him from afar. Such youth, such
grace, such noble vigor, such manly
beauty. She had never seen his peer.
and she endowed him with all the mag
iLary virtues, accomplishments and tai
erts Of a demigod.
Sometimes she went with uncle and
auatie to other malinees or at night to
other theaters, but always she sent rose
10 him, with a tiny card. But after
eyes and her fancy upon him, she noticed
that he was not wearing her rose.
Why shouldn't 1 get acquainted with
him?' she asked herself - know he
must be a good man. Besides. ne may
help me. My mind is made up to adopt
the stage as a profession; he may help
me; at least. his advice must be good.
It's the sensible thing to do. Besides. in.
well, in professional life, one cannot al
ways SldHQ upon ceremony
And so, after a few days of mixed TO
nance and sophistry. she persuaded her
self there could be nothing bold or IN
womanly in sending him q short letter,
expressing her hopes and need of advice,
and emitting anything of sentimental
weakness or personal adulstion. She
never stopped TO wonder why she had
chosen this particular man, this actor,
Horace Vaudeville, to aid her or to ad-
wise her, when she knew that New York
was crowded with better actors. hand
somer and more eminent, upon whom her
claims for recognition were equally strong
or, rather weak. 70 be sure some vague
and incoherent notions of affinity fut-
tered through her head, but the letter
was mailed then, and she could think of
nothing better TO do than TO stay at her
aunt's home. ready for his visit. Auntie
being gone TO Michigan for a weeks visit
the time was propitious and Adrienne's
heart beat high one afternoon when she
saw him come walking briskly up the
street
Miss Trimble?" he asked, respectfully,
when she came into the parlor. You
have been very, very kind TO me-sO
many beautiful flowers! 1 am extremely
fond of roses-you have been so kind that
1 was really delighted to learn, at last,
your name and address. 1 have come TO
ask you to dinner. 1 can't promise you
such a one as some of my actor friends
might. but
Delighted. she murmured But think
ing rs she looked at him in the dim light
that he was Older than sch had guessed.
After q time, when he had said some
things that seemed very pretty, she ran
upstairs and put on her wraps, and they
walked away together TO the cab stand.
He was a rapid, entertaining talker, and
~l.f~
drove so absorbed she became in his
narratives, reflections, jokes and refe-
rences-but she caught herself wishing
that his words would take a more per
sonal drift. At last they stopped in front
OF an apartment building somewhere in
Seventh avenue. toward Fifty-dfth and
the rapt girl was suddenly conscious Of
disappointment. The had anticipated din
ing at some Of the palatial cafes along
some fine hotel, perhaps
but an apartment house?" Was II
proper? Was Mr.. Vaudeville like all the
rest, after all?
He saw her hesitation and quickly re-
assured her. 1T is my home" he said
smilingly, "a poor actors home is never
as grand as he hopes for, but we shall
not be alone at dinner. Those whom you
will meet at my table. think very well Of
me ana my hospitality" SO they went up
aware Of an odor Of caDoage. The actor |
led himself into rear apartment. and
when the girl followed him. she found |
herself in the midst Of an atmosphere |
reeiing with the fumes Of cooking This !
way, Miss Trimble.' he said. leading her
into very small and dingy parIor that |
looked into 4 dark court Then. Harriet. !
this is Miss Trimble. who sent Us the |
fCwers. Miss TTimble-Iny wife" He |
-~sfE - -.
TrimDles hand and turning to her hus-
band, said: Horace, If youH give me q |
luarter. I'll light the gas" she got the |
ccin, dropped Il in the neter-siot, and IN /
D moment the room was bright
AdrieEue was din,iy aware OF the roses !
he an old milk pitcher in the center Of the /
dining tablr-her roses, she knew Mr.
Vaudeville, with the grand air o. a cour- |
Ter, took her hat and wraps and iaid 1
-hSn on the naniel shelf. he talked in i
trminabiy. but somehow II did rot seem |
Interesting TO the girl Harriet. the wife. /
leld her hsby on ner knees. feeding Z 1
md herself By turns Felix. boy % /
p. spilled his tea across the table cloth. 1
md Mss Trimblc suddenly noticed That I
he cloth was a faded red with thread
bare streaks and many spote upon It. 4
Mildred, a SRI Of z. ate her mashed go- (
atces with her fists ard Mrs. rfande- +
-Atf. va "t-ttA lifN -tt tH4a-H allNHi
IONS. that lid not seem % disturb the
,Quanimity of the actor a. all
When the meal vas half over h. look
q sollcitousiy AZ The girl ard remarked /
hat she ate spa-ngiy- Al'rseare com
-iained ~ a headache. and they went /
ITO the psrior all except Felix ard III /
l-ed. who remained ~ the table quarrel
nE Miss Trimble did not stav long re-
nsnt cred little q what Ras happening
aid nothins ~ all. The actor helped
ier on vith her wrap. handed her her
-a.. a~-orn31ied her u the waiting cab.