The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-04-20

I puRils anu III ntT tnHOCtHCC sue DtllGN- ed his special attention was due who'll Ely to her talent. The winter course closed and the following summer Pan. 1 zy's little head buzzed with things theatrical. George, as he plodded on grew to her trifie dull. h@ ~ l The next season the professor was | on the ground again. Panzy was more | enthusiastic than before; the profes- | sor more optimistic as to her future
 and when he told her that the stage l was her only destiny, she was ready to
 agree with him. Anything from Lit ! tie Nell in the Old Curiosity Shop to
 Lady Macbeth was her, range. The pro- lessor then informed her that he would look up his friends, the managers in the city, and see what he could do for
 her. One day he returned with the news that it was all fixed. She was to
 go as soon as she could get ready. Poor George, when she told him her l determination. looked so heartbroken she cried. but nothing he said could change her purpose. She promised, with her heart in her voice. that she would be true to him and that when she be-
 came a great actress she would be
 satisfied and return to him and be his wife. .,
 So they parted. He stool at the sta ton and pressed her hand in a last good by, the tears weIfed to her eyes
 his voice quiyered with emotion. From that day to this night he had never seen or heard from her, And now in this playhouse of doubtful re-
 pute was she before him. wantonly
 capering in a vulgar costume for the
 gaze of thousand hungry eyes. Why.
 in the times that were past he had never dared to peep at one of her hn- L1nS accideufal1v oynoaad z
 His seat was we'll down in front. As
 her stunt progressed he gradually re- gained control of himself. She had reached the Hull that precludes the grand climax. = .
 The audience were expectant, they were prepared for the denouement. The undulations of her lissome body in- creased, heads were craIied to get q better view, when suddenly the en- ehantress shuddered, gasped. then stopped. The music played faster, but
 fixed upon the face of a man in the audience. In the whole vast thronE she saw none but him. t.~> The music ceased, something was wrong, a buzzing sound grew from the seats, cat calls commenced in the gallery. With the cry of a wounded bird she darted for the wings and dis appeared. Apologies were made by the management for the stars indisposition andsth regular bill was continued.
 A few minutes later the aggressive figure of George appeared at the stage door. Stage laclkies were disposed to impede his nrogress. but an earnest
 man, big or little, can easily overcome
 the opposition of menials. He was shown the dressing room and without the courtesy of a. knock he strode in- side and closed thet door. Before him on a couch, her face bur jed in a cushion. lay the spangIed Mer-
 cedes. One ,low-smothered sob he heard.
 He waited moment and in a gentle
 subdued voice he said:
 'Panzyv'
 Only A quick gasp was the reply.
 "Panzy." he repeated, in the same modulated tones, you need not be afraid of me"
 Slowly she raised herself to sitting posture. Lifting her head quickly she looked up to his face. But her eyes could not stay there.
 ~George, Georgev she moaned. "oh,
 what do you think of me?'
 He came closer and took her hand in his In a voice that reached her soul he quietly answered: Who am I, to | judge?"
 "oh, if you only knew how it all had
 come" she breathed, almost shrinking from his touch
 You need not tell me now. If you wish for better things, have come to help you" His eyes were blurred. But must tell your She was now upon her feet. Tt only takes a few
 words. You remember how came to the city to be a great actress! Oh, be- | lieve me, George, my ambition was hon. IS.,k d. was, oh, so different than I was led to expect Instead of having a part in a drama, as I was promised when I | came here, found that I was booked | for a chorus in an opera I hesitated, but my pride would not let me return | to you all at home, and--and--I did 1t. I tried so hard to get something better, but no one would give me a chance. Gradually I became more in- different to my surroundings, and at the suggestion of a manager I learned
 to dance I was thought to be rather | tame at first.
 They kept telling me what the pub lie wanted and-well, after a while,
 in sheer desperation, I gave 1t to them.
 Then l was success. Oh, isn't 1t dreadful! Can you think of the old Panzy as the wicked Mercedes?" Tears filled her eyes. her 1.-the fig- ure Quivered with emotion as she | stood waiting for him to speak. "Panzy," he began. after a pause. do you want to come home with me 2'' With you!' she gasped.
 Yes, no one need know. Oh, R you
 only had been-had been" he almost
 broke down.
 Had been what, George?" she look
 ed eagerly at him.
 T don't. shouldn't say" he hesltat- ed. If you had been true"
 George. so help me Heaven. I have
 been that! Oh, if you knew what I have contended with. But all that has been wrong was done before-before I the public."
 George fixed his earnest. steadfast gaze on her face for a moment. She met 1t unflinchingly. Then with a yearning look he extended his arms. With a little cry she nestled to his
 breast. He pressed his lips to her
 cheek and whispered: My heart told me you were true. We will now go home No one need ever know and
 my little wife will forget forever the
 the Mercedes"
 "Yes, yes" she trembled. q will re- | member 1t only as a terrible dream"  | GROVES TAsTELEss CHILL TONIC I L e.