Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1905-07-08
CHAPTER V.
- sc s. s. 81 lsII ssI

debut, passed. HA1 - N es ' AZ
~or+ TO kind hearted Mimi Delaine's
coaching. the novice came out of the or
deal with flying colors.
aYou win be great actress some day
foresee. Miss Ambrose" said Harvey
Riddell, when the curtain had fallen on
the last act.
vgriel colored with pleasure. The
r-aise Of a man who had been on the
s+are the greater part of his life was, she
felt. indeed worth having.
And he looked so handsome in his
-4o,,o- dress. as he stood there! The tone
If his voice, too, was particularly al
Ineonsciously, Muriel began to feel
more kindly towards the man, whom, till
now, she had been resolute III avoiding.
She even began to wonder whether
Minis gossip could have any foundation
of truth.
DO YOU really think, then, have a
chance of succeeding on the stagef" she
asked eagerly.
Il am sure you have" was his reply.
81 thought SO when | first saw you at
rehearsal: and now know it'll"
The girl thrilled with gladness. Her
mast troubles were forgotten in the
eolden vista of future triumphs which
seemed TO open out before her.
The actor, seeing the effect of his
words, smiled inwardly.
The marble gradually warns to hfe!"
he said to himself.
As Muriel came out into the semi
darkness of the street that night, Rid
dell. who had been walking up and down
for some minutes, stepped up to her.
The girl looked round hastily, to see
whether Miss Delaine was, by any chance,
near by; but MINIS part had finished
early ia tbs tbs eve. evening, and she had long
sS3 zone home -7-a-vs. ss-sf ~sSsse
This is a beastly kind of town for a
lady to walk about in after dark said
the actor, in his rich, deep voice. "You
must let me see you to your door, Miss
Ambrose"
Thank you, i am not at all afraid"
replied Muriel, though she was really
somewhat appalled, by the idea of the
walk home, so late, through the badly
lit streets 81 am used to being alone"
Hardly" said Riddell, with a smile
"All this week l have never seen you
without little Mimi. The company owe
her a grudge for appropriating you so
much; and, now, I want my revenge!"
The girl could not, without absolute
rudeness, order him back; and, feeling
really uneasy at the notion of walking
alone through the deserted streets, she
made no further opposition, and they
went on together.
MuriePs companion left her at the door
Of her lodgings, and, as she went up
stairs to bed, her heart thrilling with
happiness, she could not help, somehow,
feeling that she had been absurdly
prudish in her conduct on former occa-
sions.
The next day the company moved on
to Manchester, and, during all that week,
Harvey Riddell hardly spoke to Muriel,
except in the way of business; nor did
he once offer to escort her home after
/ the performance.
She knew that his wife lived in the
town; and she longed to see what man
ner of woman he had married Her curl
osity was soon gratifed. She noticed one
night, in the stalls, a tall, dark woman,
whose features wore an expression of set
tied melancholy, and whose left cheek
was dlsfgured by great white scar.
She was told by Miss Delaine that this
was Harvey's wife"
Poor thingl How sad she looks!"
said Muriel.
She's enough to make her sad" re-
turned Mimi, with decision. "And SOS
he, she added. "Bellenger's been giving
1t him hot, for walking you home the
other night"
Why, how could anyone knowf"
asked Muriel, in surprise.
My dear, said Mimi, gravely, "evary-
thing you do in a company is known,
and don't you forget it. Bellenger has
been at Croat already to give you your
fortnight's notice, and, though he an
s"ered that he could be troubled with no
more changes in the company, she can
make your life SO uncomfortable for you
that you'll be glad to go. And she'll do
IT, II You give Harvey chances of asking
you out with him."
Muriel turned away, and went to her
pIessing room, angry at the reproach
nan implied in the words give Harvey
chahees'D Mimi followed her a few sec
onds later.
Don't be angry with me, dear" she
sald There may be nothing in it; l
Aio" how things get distorted in the
.eLing-but Riddell is givip~ everyone
70 understand that you ha been en-
"ufaging his attentions"
lie walked home with me nee; and.
,9eh' only because / couldn't prevent it."
.durlei notify retorted. "He has no right
70 say | encouraged hint"
Wen, perhaps he didn't say that ex-
oSu{' SAID Mimi, alarmed at the storm
she had raised Don't paw any atten-
lion to what l said. It's onlv gossip.
- 'Itat IT with contempt" and with that
she hastily left the room.
CHAPTER VI.