The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-07-07
iNGENUE NONPLUSSED.

| SoOOiu-iIdio scenery behind her and re-
tire to the comforts of a luxurious home.
| mere was money in Harvey's family.
besides which he had a good salaried po-
sluon, where the ghost walked every
| month. and the hours were easy
/ Ihey lived happily ever afterward for
hve years, then something happened 10
Mir. Langdon. The doctors said it was
ms lungs, and that he needed course of
| the Adirondacks.
His people had never forgiven FIossie
for having been an actress when Harvey
! met her
I'm sure it wasn't my fault" grieved
the young woman, resentful of such in
Justice I'D rather have had money and
| worn good clothes, but somebody was
Obliged to pay the rent of mothers fat.
| and work didn't seem TO agree with my
| brother Dick
The Harvey Langdons had a good saw
ings bank account, though, so it really
| made very little financial difference to
them whether the family approved or not.
He resigned his position. they leased a
furnished home in the suburbs and went
to the high places, where the air is so
| rare mat it comes expensive.
Flossie knew a needle from a garden
rake and so she attempted TO do fine
sewing for their support. but fine sewing
| is not always ready to be done. and
Mrs. Langdon decided that the quiet little
seamstress dodge was not a very good
scheme.
Harvey acquired a patient expression
and put additional steam into his love
making
Flossie never said what was in her mind
but he OWNED it.
An right" he said, suddenly one day
when the bills were more than usually
pressing, go ahead don't see any other
way out for you. / can't bear TO watch
you going to pieces over that perpetual
stitching. You were taking good care OF
yourself easily enough when l met you.
and it is unjust for me TO tie you down
to continual hardship with fretful in
valid on your hands. Go back to the
stage and get little of the joy of life"
You're sure you are willing?" she de-
manded.
No; am not willing, but it is fate and
we must submit"
Il can earn money enough to make us
quite comfortable again. sch said, de-
lightedly
Yes. and we shall seldom see one an
other"
"Oh, no; I'll refuse any but city en-
gagement, and you know the doctor said
only the other day that il you were care
full about going out in storms YOU could
live in New York without running any
risks, and that you are out Of all danger
now so long as you don't catch cold"
oh, of course, l am an migrate be-
cause am not thankful that my wife has
to go before the public and make an ex-
nibition of herself in order to pay my
medicine bills
THAT is a nice way 10 talk about my
Art" laughed the woman. why. some
of the critics said l showed d keen per-
ception of humor and a delicate mimicry
which was seldom equalled in light com
cay"
'Pshaw! How glad you arc to get
away from the sick room atmosphere,
out into a world of gayery, where you
can have the indiscrminate admiration Of
a lot Of men and the applause Of a pack
of fools who don't care whether you are
clever or not so long as you look pretty"
F'Iossie answered him with a reproach-
full glance.
Yes, ! know I am brute and ninny,
but / can't help going wild when | think
of you standing there before a lot of
stupid people with some other mans arm
around your waist"
Don't worry" returned Mrs. Lang
don. 4 shall refuse all that kind Of
parts. Leave everything to ne.
She found that most people had forgot
ten her. and the search for a situation
was rather disheartcning.
she was on the edge of despair when a
summons came to her from the great
Mr.. Rohan.
Harvey, who had been very nearly as
discouraged and blue as she was, now
sulked obviously.
Hell make you play with that cad
Kingman. he exclaimed.
Flossie's laugh chmed out merrily.
You must think old Rohan is going
crazy if YOU have any idea that he will
offer leading parts to poor little me
You are better than any star he has
on his list" exclaimed her husband, jeal-
ously.
"Of course" she agreed. Il am an I'M
discovered genius, but Rohan Will never
find me out
Flossie found the great manager up to
his neck in appointments.
When she finally gained admission Mr..
Rohan greeted her with curt nod.
Il am going to give you a chance to
snow what you've got in you, he said
grufly. We are putting a play in re
hearsal next week, and there is a queer
part in it that I think you may make
Of
F1ossie nodded eagerly.
i shall be glad to try she muir
INJURED.
by the way. believe yu are ac-
quainted with Kingman. 1 hope you like I
him, because you viii play his opposite.
Il shall have TO play opposite TO Mr.. /
she cried, startled.
Yes, the leading woman is the ad- /
ventures. II is an odd little play, but /
l believe it is going TO succeed
Flossie's heart gave a great thump and /
then sank like lead.
The doctor said that any undue eX-
element or worry would mean his death.
The words repeated themselves over and /
over in her consciousness. SO that Mr.. /
Rohan's patronizing popularity passed /
lnnoticed.
She Strengthened suddenly Anything /
wen. slow starvation. was better than 70
lurt Harvey ike that.
Il am sorry.' she murmured. 1t is no
md good OF you TO think so highly Of my
abilities. and ! feel awfully fattered. but
m not really up 70 attempting such an
important piece OF work"
She was blushing painfully now
The manager stared He was not often
roubied with undue modesty on the part
II his actresses.
Il don't think you need WORRY" he
said. suavely. I am willing 10 take
ne risk
FIossie looked as if she was going TO cry.
L am afraid II is quite impossible" she
,asped again.
Mr.. Roman regarded her coIdly.
You mean that you refuse the engage
nent2-
Il am afraid 10 Try such an important
art
The manager arose.
Very well" he said. shortly.
Perhaps there might be something
mailer" she faltered.
Il have nothing else TO offer you" be
F1ossie walked several blocks out q her
yay. bat when she anally reached home