The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-07-09
MGENUE NONPLUSSED.


Use TO leave the stage. burn all of her
secondhand scenery behind her and re-
tire to the comforts of LUXURIOUS nome
There was money in Harvey's family,
besides which he had a good salarleu
position, where the ghost walked every
month. and the hours were easy.
They lived happily ever afterward Tor
fve years, then something happened 10
Mr.. Langdon. The doctors sad II was
his lungs, and that he needed course OIL
the Adirondacks.
His people had never forgiven Flossie
for having been an actress when Har-
vey met her.
I'm sure il 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
fiat, and work didn't seem to agree with
my brother Dick"
The Harvey Langdons had 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
furnished home in the suburbs and
went to the high places, where the ar
is so rare that it comes expensive.
Flossie knew a needle from a garden
rake and so she attempted to do fine
sewing for their support, but fine sew
ing is not always ready to be done,
and Mrs. Langdon decided that the quiet
little SeamStreSS doQSe was not very
good scheme
=. Harvey acquired a patient expression
nd put additional steam into his love-
making.
FIossie never said what was in her
mind, but he OWNED it.
"All 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. 1 can't bear to
watch you going to pieces over that per-
eff Won NO. fll v Frer
care of yourself easily enough when 1
met you, and it is unjust for me to tie
you down to continual hardship with
fretful invalid 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.
mo; am not willing but it is fate
ana we must submit"
i can earn money enough to make
us quite comfortable again." she said,
delightedly.
Yes. and we shall seldom see one
another"
on no; I'll refuse any but a city en-
gagement. and you know the doctor
said only the other day that if you were
careful 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, I am an migrate be-
cause 1 am not thankful that my wife
has to go before the public and make
an exhibition of herself in order to
pay my medicine bills"
That is a nice way to talk about my
Art" laughed the woman. why some
of the critics said 1 showed a keen per-
ceptiOn Of humor and delicate mimi
cry which was seldom equalled in light
comedy"
"Pshawl How glad you are to get
away from the sick room atmosphere,
out into a world of gayety, where you
can have the indiscriminate admiration
a lot Of men and the applause of
ft.ck of fools who don't care whether
"a are clever or not so long as you
0ok pretty"
Fiossie answered him with a reproach-
full glance.
'''Yes, 1 know I am a brute and
ninny. but I can't help going wild
when I think of you standing there be-
fore a lot of stupid people with some
other mans arm around your waist.
Don't worry" returned Mrs Lang
don II shall refuse all that KIND OF
parts. Leave everything to me-"
she found that most people had for
gotten her, and the search for a situa-
fion was rather disheartening.
She was on the edge of despair when
a summons came to her from the great
Harvey, who had been very nearly as
discouraged and blue as she "as' NV
sulked obviously.
He'll make you play with that cad
FSingman," he exclaimed.
FlOssie's laugh chimed out merrily-
YOU must think old Rohan is going
crazv If YOU have any idea that he will
offer leading parts to poor little me.
you are better than any star he mas
on his list" exclaimed her husband
jealousy.
cor course" she agreed. Il am an
undiscovered genius, but Roman VIII
never find me out"
to his neck in appointments.
When she finally gained admission
Mr.. Rohan greeted her with a curt nod.
IT am going to give you chance to
show what you have got in you,' he
said gruffiy. I'VE are putting play
IN rehearsal next week. and there is
a queer part in it that think you
may make something Of"
Flossie nodded eagerly.
Il shall be glad to try she MUIR
"By the way. I believe you are ac-
uuainted with Kingman. / hope You
like him, because you will play his OPP
posite."
II shall have to play opposite to Mr.
Kingman?" she cried, startled.
YES, the leading woman is the adj
u venturess. 1t is an odd little play, but
7 believe it is going to succeed.
nFlossie's heart gave a great thumI
and then sank like lead.
1.-THE doctor said that any undue ex-
c1temenL or worry would mean MS
death" The words repeated themselves
over and over in her consciousness, sc
that Mr.. Rohan's patronizing ocular
tty passed unnoticed.
She Strengthened suddenly. Anything
even slow starvation, was better thar
to hurt Harvey like that
Il am sorry" she murmured. 1T is
no end good of you to think so highly
of my abilities, and I feel awfully fat
tered, but I'm not really up to attempt
ing such an important piece of work
She was blushing painfully now.
The manager stared. He was not
often troubled with undue modesty or
the part of his actresses.
Il don't think you need worry" hi
said suavely. Il am willing to take
the risk"
Flossie looked as If she was going tt