The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-07-10
A VISION OF THE STAGE
BY HOWARD DEvINE.

the benefit performance to enable her
| to do this"
PauPs heart sank as he read. and
he marveled greatly that so fair di-
vinlty should not have legions of pow
erful friends who would jump at the
chance to aid her in distress. and it
was incomprehensible to him. The
idea of her being i'll and poor distress
ed him beyond measure.
And when, week later he read that
the benefit had been only partially
successful and realized far from suf-
| fcient funds to send Miss Markham to
| the country. and further that the ply
| sicians feared she would live but a
short time unless she could be got into
restful surroundings and pure air. his
| heart famed with fierce resentment
against the cold. unappreciative world
/ that would let it's brightest flower fade
and die for want of few paltry dol
| lars.
Then there came into Paul's soul and
| heart and mind great resolution He
would succor her himself. 1t was a bold
| thought and he shrunk abashed as he
contemplated the great honor to which
he aSpired But he never faltered He
! went to the city again-to the great sur
prise of his sister, and sought out the
| address of Viola Markham He was shock
| ed at the squalor of the third rate hotel.
He did not attempt TO approach the divin-
| ity herself. but learned from the clerk
|
went and stated that some of Miss Mark
| hams friends had raised purse to send
her to the country and had arranged with
| his sister, Mrs Bingham at Podgers Cor
ners. to keep her as long as might be
] necessary. He left ticket for Podgers
Corners and sum OF money with the
! physician and asked him to send the pa
! tient. explaining that the friends pre-
ferred to remain unknown
! Then Paul. went home and arranged it
with his sister explaining that he had in
| Cld0UtalIV a n and
an invalid to the country and he had
agreed for Mrs. Bingham to take her for
4 weekly stipend of S.
So 1t happened that Viola Markham.
| pale, thin and haggard from disease and
dissipation came to Podgers Corners.
| wondering VINO the angel could be- but
I storm"
Paul met her with a carriaeA al t.
futter and while cognizant OF the great
anaemic creature and the lady Of H.,
! dreams. attributed 1t to her illness Week
| after, week Paul handed his sister the
| board money for the actress, telling her
/ 1t was sent him from New York, and
| week after week the invalid improved.
The roundness came back to her face and
her emaciated body and the color began
| to play again in the wan cheeks. She
] never had known a life like that before
so quiet, so peaceful and so restful. Paul
! reveled in her presence. and the power OF
| his own ideality invested her with all the
attributes of the lady of his dreams He
taught her many ways to enjoy the coun-
try and she told him of many wonderful
stories IL stageland.
One day when she felt nearly well
| enough to return to her work she pressed
him to know from whence came the funds
| for her outing. He avaded her and. being
transparent simpleton, and she ultra
worldly- wise, she guessed the, truth and
| mirers not at all loath to pay well for her
| smiles, but the motives of this simple
| hearted country lad, who had asked moth
inQr AL
Curious to know. she charged him with
the truth and sought the reason
With flaming checks he suffered forth
an evasion and. being caught in a lie. told
her In honest. manly fashion the story Of
his heart of hearts.
1t was new story to her. and he was
| a new type. From the hot house life OF
sensuality and sordidness she had known
to the rugged honesty and self -sacrific-
ing ideality of this simple farmer was a
far reach. When he had finished he add
ed in manly fashion
II know / amt fit mate for you. Miss
Markham. but If you would let me care
chance OF happiness in this world
She turned very pale and grave.
You DO not realize what my life has
been-what the stage life is" she said.
| Il do not care, he said eagerly, If you
can give 1t up
| She gazed long and thoughtfuIly over
| the peaceful meadows to the woody hills
! among which ran the sparkling creek she
knew 50 well. She drew in her lungs fill
OF the crisp air laden with the scent Of
new -mown hay. She looked into the
| clear, gray eyes. so full of admiration and
| awe-and then thought of the squalid ILL
smelling hotels. the stuffy dressing rooms,
| the paints and powder and pads the gar
| ish lights. the feverish excitement the
! coarse jests. the leering faces. the fever
] ish pleasures from cocktails to head
aches. and a great desire came over her
to stay. there. where 1t was all so peace
full but she must be honest with this
/ honest man.
''But you must know that my hfe has
| not been as these country girls" she
| said.
81 only know that you are good and
/ beautiful he burst in "If did not be-
lieve that / should die
| Then she knew that to disabuse his
mind would be to rob FIN of his own
dreams She pondered for long time:
then smiling family into his eager face.
| said:
N YOU want me just as am. take
/ me-
Then great joy filed PauI's breast and
! a great wonder filed his mind. Later
on great excitement filled Podgers Cor
! ners. for Paul Comstock had been goRs
and married an actress woman"
And to Paul she was always the golden
haired vision OF the stage