The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-12-11

I shall succeed. When shall you see MT. FranciS?'
 He will meet us here at 10 tomorrow morning to take you to the theatre for a full rehearsal with the chorus. and entire company and l shall accompany you. He told me yesterday that you knew your lines perfectly and that you would have no trouble in that respect. That Is saying great deal for manager of a theatrical company. He showed his confidence by engaging you for prima donna parts when you have never been on the stage before. He is charmed with your voice and is a shrewd manager to take you now be- fore you have risen out of his reach. We were friends together in the old company Francis and I, and when the other night at supper he told me that he doubted if Miss Cabell, his prima donna who was with him last season, would be well enough to begin work with the company when it opens here tomorrow night, I told him of you and he respected my judgment. That is how he came to offer you the place in The Master Magician"
 Thoughts of his own debut on the operatic stage in Paris years before crowded into the mind of the old sim ger and he looked forward to the
 
 tion as the girl beside him.
 Edith was busy withe her wraps as Mon. Gadeau talked to her, and as he finished and sank into a reverie of old en days, when he saw great audiences grow wild with delight as he sang, she said gooybye and tripped lightly out of the room.
 She sauntered slowly through the streets on her way home, her mind en- -t~N- days, when so much had happened m her life of hope and expectation. She knew that nineteen was young to go on the stage, that bugaboo of her Puri- tanical thinking family, and she won dered if any man ever acted so queerly as George Hannis, when she told him that she was going to be the prima donna of "The Master Magician" Com pany. She knew that George thought the world of her and that time and again he had proved his love, and she disliked doing anything to displease him. Her heart beat faster when she thought of him and she knew she cared. She wondered that a man who was dramatic critic and wrote such clever reviews for The Herald should have an aversion to her going on tho stage. Many times when she had been with him at the thatre. she remembered that he had almost aroused her Jeal- ousy by extravagant praise of some dainty creature before the footlights. If she herself. succeeded. why shouldn't she be praised by Georgt Hannis? Sure ly. he would be happy to see her make brilliant entree on the stage and probably be the sensation In Baltimore musical circles.
 As one or two friends passed her and bowed. Edith spoke and smiled in an absent way so engrossed with her thoughts was she that she did not re- member who they were by the time she reached home. Her mother met her at the door and inquired the success of her rehearsal She flushed with pride as Edith told her of Mon Gadeau's words after she had finished singing her last song and the arm that she had slipped about her daughters waist drew her closer to her mothers embrace.
 T am glad that everything seems so bright for your success, Edith" she said, and although your father and objected to the plan when you first pro- posed it. still we are very happy to see you getting along so well since won have made up your mind to go on the stage"
 She believed that after Edith had been a year or more before the public she would tire of the rough life to which she would be sub1ected ana the glare of the footlights would lose its fascination.
 By the way" added Mrs. Parker, there's note that came for you about an hour ago. I almost forgot to give It to you"
 Edith glanced at the writing, and saw that 1t was from George. She opened the envelope and read the few lines telling her that he would call that night, and that he expected to take her to the theatre the following evening. She tossed the paper in the grate and turned to her mother laugh ingly.
 It's only George coming to make an- other attempt to steer me from my course on which I have definitely set my mind. and I am afraid I shall make him angry because he is so obstinate you just cant make him see anything your way"
 Az the mother and daughter were