Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1905-01-10
DREAMS Of YESTERDAY.

.
| q HE was a pretty dimpled little
| ~ creature, with big blue eyes and
mass of fluffy yellow hair. She
mad had two seasons in "stock"-a
small road company-had received
good notices." and had come TO New
York full of hope and high ambition.
She had spent weeks in tramping
broadway, seeking an engagement. In
and out of offices she had wandered,
and had met from managers and
agents everywhere the same answer,
l"Nothing Open" Sometimes, indeed,
the reply varied, and she was told to
4,come next week"
when, with hope renewed, she = emit
in next week." there was sail moth
ing open-call again"
Weary and sick at heart, one day,
she turned her steps toward Lexing-
ton avenue, and her top floor back"
Reaching her room, she threw herself
on the bed and sobbed. 1t was the
first time she had given way, but as
she thought of listle cottage in the
country, and the mother and father to
whom she tried to write bright hope
iEl letters. the tears would come.
Another picture rose before her, too.
Teds picture, and with it came the
memory of that spring day, so long
ago, it seemed, when they had gath
cred violets together and he had said.
II love you, Kitty" and had asked
her to be his wife. She could see now
the bright face so near her own, could
see the merry brown eyes looking so
eagerly into hers, as he begged her to
say yes to his pleading. And she, think
ing only of the fame she meant to
win, had laughed at him. Now, she
thought, it would seem good to see
Ted again. for she really loved him
down in her wilful little heart.
Some one raped on her door, and in
response to her Come" the laadlady
entered. Here's a letter for you, Miss
Burns, and the boy says it's most i'm
portant." The letter bore the sigma
ture of a well-known manager. upon
whom she had recently called and read
thus:
Miss Katherine Burns-Dear Mad.
am: Kindly come to my office at once
Important"
When, CARRIED in her prettiest gown
and with all traces of tears removed
Kitty entered the office, the manager
looked at her approvingly, noting ev
cry roint of her fresh. girlish beauty
and dainty attire, and inwardly said
you'll do"
A,ocd he said: Miss Burns, ms
leading woman in Kings houses i:
seriously i'll, and l have decided to LEI
you try the part Though I've never
seen you act yet have faith in you
because you have faith in yourself
You certainly look the part of Con
stance. Now please read her lines FOL
me-"
TREMENDOUSLY, almost doubling tn,
reality of 1t all, Kitty took the manu-
script. AS she read she forgot her sur
roundings, forgot the managers pres
ence. and became indeed the living
breathing Constance. The beautiful
Zines. tender, pleading, passionate
gathered new beauty from her render
ing The manager sat, at first inter
ested. then breathlessly until she reach
ed her climax. Then, BY Jove. Mis-
Burns. you'll do. Here's your con
tract" was all he said. but it mean
yolumes.
What need is there to tell of Kitty
New York debut? What need to te
how she went on and on. from trump
to triumph until she reached the pin
,acle of fame? Men and women 9
place and power, in this country an
abroad. even those of royal blood, bow
oh before her beauty and talent an
were proud to call her friend.
1t was the opening night of th
Kings new theater in London. A
london. including the king himscl
was present TO do honor to the gres
American actress. who was 70 Great